Doñana Biological Station
Wednesday 16 May 2012 23:34:26
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Department of Ethology and Biodiversity Conservation
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Ethology and Biodiversity Conservation
Research at the Department includes
two broad lines: Ethology and Conservation of Natural Resources.
Research in Ethology is devoted
to the multidisciplinary study of animal behavioral in a broad sense, as it has been
traditionally approached by disciplines such as Ethology, Behavioral Ecology, Evolutionary
Ecology and Evolutionary Psychology. Its research aims are firmly embedded in a
neo-Darwinian paradigm and could be summarized as applying natural selection theory
to the study of animal design and behaviour under an ecological perspective. Study
subjects nowadays include a wide array of organisms from ants to humans but for
much of its history it has favoured experimental field studies on the behavioral
ecology of birds and, to a lesser extent, mammals (mainly ungulates). Most of the
research carried out in the Department is of a basic orientation, encompassing hot
topics in current evolutionary and behavioral ecology, such as evolution of communicative
signals, co-evolution between brood parasites and their hosts, social networks and
human social development. In addition, other research programs seek results with
a more immediate applicability, such as conservation of endangered species (like
the Bald Ibis), prevention and intervention program for children social adjustment,
invasive species control (Argentine ants). We collaborate with researchers from
Spain and other countries.
Concerning Biodiversity Conservation research, we are conservation biologists and
our aim is to provide the necessary scientific knowledge to collaborate in the preservation
and management of biodiversity, mainly, but not exclusively, in Mediterranean ecosystems.
An important part of our research focuses on identifying conservation problems of
animal species or groups of species particularly relevant for their contribution
to the functionality of ecosystems: endangered species or key species. We also apply
biology to provide the public administrations with the scientific bases to adequately
manage biodiversity, including solutions to infrastructure impacts, land use, generation
and transport of energy, among others. Consequently, our activity is not limited
to the study of natural areas such National parks or other protected areas, but
expands to areas with intensive human presence and use. We try to make these uses
compatibles with high levels of biodiversity, looking for a healthy biological environment.
We are also interested on the evaluation of management and conservation plans conducted
by the public administration, looking for the necessary improvement and the dissemination
of results. We work at different scales, from the individual (genetic aspect, physiology,
etc) to the population level (demography, spatial analyses, simulation models, etc).
During the last years we have been working in different areas of Spain (including
islands) as well as in Europe (Italy, Finland, Norway, Germany, Scotland, etc.),
Africa (Morocco, Senegal, Cabo Verde, Mali, etc), America (Chili, Argentina and
Colombia) and Antarctica.
Lines/Sublines of Research:
Conservation Biology
and Global Change & Biological Invasions
Evolutionary Biology &
Molecular Ecology and Evolutionary Genetics
Department Head (shared with Biodiversity Conservation):
Xim Cerdá
Functional groups/Labs:
Aguilera-Alvarez-Braza-Redondo Lab
Cerdá Lab
Ferrer Lab
Moreno Lab
Soriguer Lab
Calderón Lab
Cabot Lab
Estación Biólogica de Doñana - Consejo Superior de Investigaciones
Científicas - Apdo 1056 E - 41013 Sevilla
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