{"id":20062,"date":"2026-08-25T10:07:39","date_gmt":"2026-08-25T08:07:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ceab.csic.es\/?p=20062"},"modified":"2026-08-25T10:43:39","modified_gmt":"2026-08-25T08:43:39","slug":"quatre-decades-de-recerca-cientifica-i-dimpacte-social","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ceab.csic.es\/en\/quatre-decades-de-recerca-cientifica-i-dimpacte-social\/","title":{"rendered":"Four Decades of Scientific Research and Societal Impact"},"content":{"rendered":"

In October 1985, the Centre for Advanced Studies of Blanes (CEAB-CSIC) was inaugurated. Forty years later, it has established itself as an internationally recognised centre of excellence<\/strong> in the study of aquatic ecosystems, from high mountain environments to the deep sea.<\/h4>\n
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CEAB-CSIC’s research is structured around three major strategic areas: the study of biodiversity and the functioning of aquatic ecosystems, the analysis of the impacts of global change, and the development of solutions for the conservation and restoration<\/strong> of the natural environment. The Centre is a leading institution in these fields, both in basic and applied science, contributing to the management, conservation and recovery of aquatic ecosystems and the many benefits they provide to society.<\/p>\n

Across all its research areas, CEAB teams address major environmental challenges such as pollution, habitat degradation, biodiversity loss, extreme climatic events, and the links between environmental and public health (One Health)<\/strong>. They do so through a multidisciplinary approach<\/strong> that integrates theoretical, experimental and observational methods, bringing together disciplines ranging from microbiology and biogeochemistry to computational modelling. This research spans scales from chemical and genetic processes to the dynamics of major biomes, and from high mountain lakes to deep-sea ecosystems, understood as hydrologically, atmospherically and biologically connected systems along the land-to-ocean continuum<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Geographically, research is conducted at regional, national and international scales, supported by an extensive network of scientific collaborations and a recognised expertise in Mediterranean ecosystems<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

CEAB is one of the research institutes of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)<\/strong>, Spain’s largest public research organisation and one of the largest scientific institutions in Europe. It is the only CSIC institute based in the province of Girona<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\"\"<\/strong>From Fisheries Research to Global and Integrated Aquatic Ecology Research<\/h4>\n
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In 1985, the present-day Centre for Advanced Studies of Blanes (CEAB) was inaugurated in a newly built facility located at the entrance to Sant Francesc Cove. Its location in Blanes reflected a scientific legacy that had begun decades earlier with the laboratory and public aquarium at the town’s harbour, both linked to CSIC fisheries research activities. The creation of CEAB was driven by prominent scientific figures<\/strong> such as Severo Ochoa, Joan Or\u00f3 and Ramon Margalef.<\/p>\n

The Centre’s original aim was to bring together researchers from different branches of science within a unique interdisciplinary environment<\/strong>. During its early years, CEAB hosted research groups in marine ecology, oceanography, astrophysics and artificial intelligence, fostering scientific exchange and a collaborative culture that would shape the institution’s identity.<\/p>\n

Over time, the Centre became increasingly specialised in marine sciences and later incorporated limnology<\/strong>, focused on the study of inland aquatic ecosystems, and theoretical ecology<\/strong>, which uses mathematical and computational tools to understand complex ecological processes. Together, these evolved into the three major disciplines that underpin CEAB’s research today.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\"prova-pilot-rotenona-alpyr\"<\/p>\n

From Scientific Knowledge to Solutions for Conservation and Ecological Restoration<\/h4>\n
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Over the course of its history, CEAB has built a strong scientific track record that includes milestones such as the identification of around 850 species new to science<\/strong> by researchers at the Centre, as well as the development of long-term ecological data series<\/strong>, some of which began four decades ago and are among the longest-running in Spain, covering both the Mediterranean Sea and inland aquatic ecosystems.<\/p>\n

Building on this solid foundation of knowledge, the Centre has helped develop practical solutions to address environmental challenges. Notable examples include:<\/strong><\/p>\n