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 Behavioral Ecology):
Xim Cerdá
Functional groups/Labs:
Ferrer Lab
Moreno Lab
Soriguer Lab