Nerea Montes was born in Vigo and, from a very young age, was fascinated by three things: watching documentaries, playing for hours with her Imaginarium animal toys, and drawing. Her curiosity for biology and nature was sparked by her parents, who took her on adventures in the mountains and encouraged her to explore the world through field guides, encyclopedias, and environmental activities.

Over time, this interest grew into a passion that eventually shaped her professional path, always trying to combine it—through scientific illustration—with her other great passion: drawing. She earned her Biology degree from the University of Vigo and later moved to London to pursue a Master’s in Research at Imperial College London. During that time, she had the opportunity to work in three different laboratories, studying the impact of invasive species on plant-herbivore interactions, conducting phylogenetic analyses, and analyzing historical bumblebee data in the context of climate change. These experiences led her to the Doñana Biological Station, where she is currently doing her PhD on plant-pollinator interactions, supervised by researcher Ignasi Bartomeus.

What is the objective of your thesis?

The aim of my thesis is to better understand how factors such as climate change and agricultural intensification affect plant-pollinator interaction networks, in order to anticipate what may happen in the future. We are studying how climate change affects bees in a Mediterranean climate like that of Doñana Natural Area, and how the plants they visit vary depending on whether they live in natural areas or human-altered landscapes like crop fields. We’ve also developed a tool that predicts how these interactions between species might change across Europe, in collaboration with Timothée Poisot’s lab in Montreal, Canada.

Why is it important to research this topic?

Pollinating insects like wild bees, butterflies, flies, and beetles are essential for the reproduction of many wild and cultivated plants—from a rosemary bush in Doñana to a tomato or almond crop. However, threats like drought, extreme heat, and the spread of intensive agriculture jeopardize their survival. Despite their importance, most awareness campaigns focus on the honeybee (Apis mellifera), overlooking the wide variety of native species—like the over 1,100 species of solitary bees in Spain. Studying which plants these species visit and how they respond to climate change and landscape transformation is key to conserving not only the pollinators themselves, but also the ecosystems and crops that depend on them. Beyond research, it's essential to communicate and highlight this hidden biodiversity that sustains life as we know it.

What are your starting hypotheses?

We expected that both plants and pollinators would begin their annual cycles earlier due to rising temperatures. For instance, a solitary bee that visits only two plant species and has a life span of about two weeks (from emerging from its nest to death) might emerge increasingly earlier—potentially two weeks ahead of time. If the plants it visits don’t flower earlier as well, there could be a mismatch in life cycles, which may prevent both the bee and the plants from reproducing. Regarding water, reduced rainfall is expected to have negative impacts: drought reduces the number of flowers, shortens the flowering period, and may increase plant mortality, which would affect pollinators’ reproduction and survival due to lack of food. As for the rise in agriculture, we expect pollinators to shift the plant species they visit, even including crops or invasive species, since some pollinators are better adapted to disturbed habitats. However, not all can adapt, and we may see certain interactions disappear, preventing some plant species from reproducing if other more attractive species compete for pollinators.

What will the project results be used for?

First, we’ll understand how climate change is currently affecting species in Doñana’s Mediterranean climate, and how quickly, using historical data collected over the past 10 years by Francisco P. Molina, who continues to gather it. This will help us understand current changes and predict future scenarios, as well as offer insights into what might be happening in other Mediterranean climates—hotspots of biodiversity for solitary bees. Second, we’ll investigate how pollinators adapt to agriculture and whether their floral preferences change in response to crops. This analysis will help predict the impact of agricultural expansion on pollinators, identify species at risk of disappearing, and determine if key plants should be included in initiatives like green covers or flower strips. Finally, by being able to predict interactions at a European scale, we can estimate how interaction networks will change as species shift due to climate change, and whether some species might be left without their plants or pollinators.

What is your daily routine like?

I work on my thesis in the mornings and sometimes in the afternoon—unfortunately, it’s a bit monotonous right now because I’m doing computer work, data analysis, and writing. The hard fieldwork days are over. In my free time, I try to exercise—mens sana in corpore sano—and I work on side projects like scientific illustration.

What would you like to do after finishing your thesis?

I’d like to continue my scientific career, combining research, scientific illustration, and science communication. I believe good research should be paired with a strong communication campaign—not only to share our discoveries with the world but also to highlight the value of our work.

Why did you decide to do a PhD, and why on this particular topic?

I decided to pursue a PhD because I’ve always wanted to research what I’m passionate about and contribute to our understanding of nature. My interest in plant-herbivore interaction networks began during my undergraduate studies, where I was fortunate to work with an incredible team who introduced me to the field. Then, during my master’s, I explored how climate change affected bumblebees in the UK, which strengthened my desire to keep studying this topic. When I discovered a project that perfectly matched my experience, I didn’t hesitate to apply—and I was lucky to be selected. My thesis is the result of a chain of fortunate events that led me to a subject I’m passionate about and eager to explore more deeply.