My research focuses on the study and conservation of marine biodiversity in rocky coastal habitats.
My goal is to understand species distribution patterns at local and global scales, including threatened, invasive, and fishery-related species, the effects of marine protected areas on marine biodiversity, the resistance and resilience of benthic communities to climate change and global threats, and the role of humans in the organization and functioning of rocky coastal habitats through the study of marine socio-ecological systems. To achieve this, my methodological approach involves generating large volumes of biological, environmental, and social data, and monitoring these variables at large spatial and temporal scales is the foundation of my research.
To support this effort, I introduced the international citizen science program Reef Life Survey in Spain and Europe, of which I am the principal investigator. RLS brings together scientists, managers, and sea enthusiasts to gather high-value scientific data that helps understand and safeguard the biodiversity of rocky marine habitats. The transfer of scientific knowledge to marine resource managers is an essential aspect of maximizing our conservation effectiveness.
To learn more about my team and the research lines we follow in my lab, visit our website at www.thebiteslab.com.
