Marc Ventura Oller

Deputy technical Director | Senior Scientist

Department

Continental ecology

Research group

Integrative Freshwater Ecology

Contact

ventura@ceab.csic.es

Phone

(+34) 972336101

Publication profiles

NºORCID:

0000-0003-1401-414X

Marc Ventura Oller

Deputy technical Director | Senior Scientist

Research Interests

My main research line aims to use crustacean zooplankton from high mountain lakes of the Pyrenees as models for studying the evolution of species traits and their eco-evolutionary feedbacks. We are studying the relative importance of stochastic events and selective forces for the determination of local genetic differentiation in natural populations. Understanding species distributions and the relevance of environmental factors on this distribution requires understanding how local factors affect the dynamics of populations and structure metapopulations. To perform these studies we describe species traits, their trophic relationships and genetic affinity. Following this research line, we are studying the phylogeny at a continental scale of several copepod and cladoceran species in order to be able to understand their degree of genetic differentiation in the Pyrenees and their colonisation history. We are also developing new tools to describe trophic relationships based on the stable isotope fingerprint of amino acids.

Complementing this main research line, we are consolidating a new line of research that has as main objective the description of the process of species invasions in high mountain lakes of the Pyrenees, focussing on the effect of fish introductions and their consequences for lake ecosystems. At this moment we are focussing in describing the effects of these invasions (conservation biology or ecology), but we intend to study this phenomena as a potential generator of local adaptations on the species that are not eradicated by invaders (Evolutionary Ecology). This would be possible since we have been able to establish the fish introduction date in many lakes, and will allow the study of how some species traits correlate with invasion time.

The main research line aims to use crustacean zooplankton from high mountain lakes of the Pyrenees as models for studying the evolution of species traits and their eco-evolutionary feedbacks.

Education

1993. Biology Degree. University of Barcelona.

1994. Master of Science in Natural Resources Management (honours). Leicester University (UK). Title: The impacts of acid precipitation mediated by geology and forestry upon upland stream invertebrates of Galloway, SW Scotland. Advisor. Dr. D. M. Harper.

2005. Doctoral degree. University of Barcelona. Title: Crustacean zooplankton dynamics in Lake Redon: a stoichiometric, biochemical and isotopic approach. Advisor. Prof. J. Catalan.

Positions Held

2009 – 2015 Ramon y Cajal Researcher. Center for Advanced Studies of Blanes (CEAB). Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC). Blanes. Catalonia. Spain

2008 – 2009 Ramon y Cajal Researcher. Institut de l’Aigua. University of Barcelona (UB). Barcelona. Catalonia. Spain

2007 – 2008 Post-doc Researcher. Center for Advanced Studies of Blanes (CEAB). Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC). Blanes. Catalonia. Spain

2005-2007 Marie Curie Researcher. National Environmental Research Institute (NERI) – University of Arhus. Silkeborg. Denmark.

PROJECTS

Biological invasions across time and space: comparing invasion phases in different aquatic ecosystems

Aquatic non-native species are spreading globally due to human activity, yet little is known about how these invasions occur and evolve. This pioneering project uses environmental DNA (eDNA) to study the phases of biological invasion in various aquatic ecosystems, aiming to better understand these processes and provide tools to tackle the biodiversity crisis.

Resilience of High Mountain Lake Biodiversity to Global Change: A Paleoecological Approach for Future Conservation (PALEODIVERSITY)

The project proposes to study biodiversity resilience by tracking changes in lake communitycomposition over the last ca. 2.000 years in four Pyrenean lakes with contrasting history of stressors pressure.

Baseline study on the situation of native naiads in Catalonia for the future drafting of its recovery plan – PHASE II (NAIADES II)

Naiads or large freshwater bivalves (Mollusca, Bivalvia, Unionoidea) are currently considered one of the most endangered animal groups on the planet. The NÀIADES project aims to generate the knowledge necessary to prepare the recovery plan for this group of animals in Catalonia.

Monitoring of high mountain aquatic ecosystems (RESTAQUATIC)

Despite their remote location, high mountain aquatic spaces are subject to anthropogenic threats that put their conservation status at risk, such as the introduction of exotic species, overcrowding by tourists or hydraulic infrastructures.

Social and ecological effects of Fish removal in Mountain Ecosystems (FishME)

The threats to mountain aquatic ecosystems are multiple. It has been identified that the population of fish in lakes where it did not naturally exist is one of them and is particularly harmful to water quality and biodiversity.

Restoration of aquatic ecosystems of protected areas from the Alps and Pyrenees (LIFE RESQUE ALPYR)

This Life project, coordinated by the CEAB-CSIC, aims to recover mountain aquatic habitats by improving the conservation of various habitats/target species in four locations in the Natura 2000 network in the alpine biogeographic regions of the Pyrenees and the Alps.