{"id":19460,"date":"2026-06-02T16:00:24","date_gmt":"2026-06-02T14:00:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ceab.csic.es\/?p=19460"},"modified":"2026-06-02T16:16:21","modified_gmt":"2026-06-02T14:16:21","slug":"el-ceab-celebra-40-anys-de-recerca-amb-impacte-cientific-i-social","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ceab.csic.es\/en\/el-ceab-celebra-40-anys-de-recerca-amb-impacte-cientific-i-social\/","title":{"rendered":"CEAB celebrates 40 years of research with scientific and societal impact"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Centre for Advanced Studies of Blanes (CEAB) today marked its 40th anniversary with an institutional event highlighting four decades of science dedicated to understanding biodiversity and the functioning of aquatic ecosystems, from high mountain environments to deep-sea habitats, and to promoting the application of scientific knowledge to ecological management, conservation and restoration in the context of global change. <\/strong><\/p>\n

The event, held at the centre\u2019s headquarters in the Enric \u201cKike\u201d Ballesteros Auditorium, brought together representatives from public administrations, research institutions and civil society organisations<\/strong>. It began with welcoming remarks from public authorities, followed by a brief review of CEAB\u2019s history and three panel discussions on its trajectory and future outlook, featuring members of the centre\u2019s research staff. The event was hosted by science communicator Evelyn Segura.<\/p>\n

Among the attending authorities were Llu\u00eds Calvo, Institutional Delegate of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) in Catalonia; Jordi Sargatal, Secretary for Ecological Transition and Teresa Sanchis, Director General of Research, of the Government of Catalonia; and Pere Parramon, Deputy Government Delegate in Girona, representing the Government of Spain.<\/strong><\/p>\n

During their speeches, the authorities emphasised CEAB\u2019s contribution to advancing scientific knowledge, conserving aquatic ecosystems, and enhancing the international visibility of research carried out in Catalonia and across Spain<\/strong>. For his part, the centre\u2019s Director and Research Professor, Marc Rius, highlighted CEAB\u2019s incorporation into the CSIC\u2019s excellence pathway following the award of the ASPIRA-MaX \u201cJosefa Barba\u201d distinction<\/strong>, as well as the centre\u2019s contributions to marine biology and ecology, freshwater ecology, and ecological theory. Rius also underlined CEAB\u2019s ability to transfer scientific knowledge to society in order to address environmental challenges.<\/p>\n

From fisheries research to integrated global aquatic ecology<\/strong><\/p>\n

A review of the centre\u2019s history was presented by one of its earliest researchers, Maria Jes\u00fas \u201cIosune\u201d Uriz. She recalled CEAB\u2019s origins in the CSIC fisheries research station established at the Port of Blanes in 1949, which consisted of a small laboratory and a public aquarium. The current centre opened in 1985 with a strong interdisciplinary vocation, driven by figures such as Severo Ochoa, Joan Or\u00f3 and Ramon Margalef. During its early years, the centre brought together teams working in marine ecology, oceanography, astrophysics and artificial intelligence. It later specialised in marine sciences before incorporating limnology and ecological theory, the three major disciplines that structure its research today.<\/p>\n

Understanding: scientific knowledge of biodiversity and ecology<\/strong><\/p>\n

The first panel highlighted CEAB researchers\u2019 long-standing expertise in studying biodiversity, including internationally recognised disciplines such as taxonomy and, more recently, genetic techniques applied to biodiversity research. The discussion also emphasised long-term ecological datasets from the Mediterranean Sea, as well as lakes, rivers and other inland aquatic ecosystems. This knowledge has been, and continues to be, the foundation of a significant proportion of the scientific output generated not only by CEAB teams but also by researchers worldwide. The panel underscored the international reach and influence of this scientific knowledge, shared through participation and leadership in networks such as the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) and the Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) network.<\/p>\n

Anticipating: ecosystem responses to global change<\/strong><\/p>\n

The second panel focused on CEAB\u2019s contribution to understanding the impacts of human-driven pressures associated with global change on ecosystems. Particular emphasis was placed on the centre\u2019s expertise in Mediterranean regions and other areas with Mediterranean-type climates, with examples including studies of marine forests, seagrass meadows and river ecosystems, both urban and relatively undisturbed. This expertise is becoming increasingly relevant internationally as climate-driven \u201cMediterraneanisation\u201d affects regions that previously lacked such characteristics. The discussion explored the centre\u2019s work in identifying ecological patterns and developing models and theoretical frameworks that help predict ecosystem responses under different global change scenarios. This research has informed, and continues to inform, conservation and ecological restoration actions, as well as public health initiatives, including studies on disease vectors.<\/p>\n

Connecting: ensuring science informs decision-making<\/strong><\/p>\n

The third panel addressed the transfer of scientific knowledge into management practice through collaboration with public administrations, private-sector organisations and civil society. Examples included the development, validation and application of ecological restoration methodologies for high-mountain lakes and other aquatic ecosystems through European projects such as LIFE Resque Alpyr, as well as restoration initiatives in marine forests in partnership with natural parks and other protected areas.<\/p>\n

The discussion also highlighted CEAB\u2019s long-standing collaboration with the Catalan Water Agency in monitoring ecological bioindicators along the Catalan coast under the Water Framework Directive, as well as in the early detection and surveillance of invasive species. Other topics included blue carbon research, studies on the resilience of coastal ecosystems such as seagrass meadows, the development of innovative tools to predict water availability and quality under global change scenarios, nature-based solutions for river restoration through facilities such as the Urban River Lab, and the provision of expert scientific advice to inform public policies on sustainable coastal management and the prevention of emerging vector-borne diseases.<\/p>\n

The panel also stressed CEAB\u2019s engagement with society through the coordination of international citizen science initiatives such as Mosquito Alert and nationwide projects such as Observadores del Mar.<\/p>\n

Looking ahead<\/strong><\/p>\n

The event concluded with an expression of gratitude to everyone who has contributed to CEAB\u2019s journey over the past 40 years, alongside a renewed commitment to generating knowledge in collaboration with all sectors of society and supporting evidence-based decision-making.<\/p>\n

Key facts about CEAB<\/strong><\/p>\n