Marta I.
Sánchez
I am broadly interested in trophic interactions and dispersal processes in aquatic ecosystems under different scenarios of global change, with the ultimate goal of better understanding the factors and processes regulating ecosystem functioning. I study the complex influence of waterbirds on wetland ecosystems, an interdiscicinary field known as ornitholimnology: how do birds affect invertebrate and plant communities via predation and dispersal of their propagules? I am also interested in the role of birds as biovectors of pollutants (heavy metals, nutrients, plastics) and antibiotic resistant bacteria. I have integrated parasites in bird-invertebrate interactions to explore how parasites interfere with key ecological processes such as energy or contaminant fluxes; or how parasites may paradoxically positively influence host and ecosystem health. In addition I am interested in biological invasions which is transversal to the above research lines: what is the role of birds as vectors of invasive species? What is the role of parasites in the competitive success of invasive species?