Research streams

Research lines developed by the Group integrate ecological, social, and environmental management approaches, with a strong focus on generating knowledge applied to the conservation and sustainable management of marine and coastal ecosystems. Activities include the transfer of knowledge and its application to the design, implementation, and assessment of conservation policies and strategies, at both national and international levels.

Within this framework, the group provides advisory services to governmental and intergovernmental bodies responsible for the implementation of regulations in marine and coastal environments at local, regional, and global levels. The group also coordinates initiatives with the private sector, offering technical advice on fisheries certification processes and other industrial activities. Key research areas include:

1. Interactions between seabirds and fishing activities. Assessment of incidental mortality and other interactions between seabirds and industrial, artisanal, and recreational fisheries, including the analysis of fishing-related debris and their impact on birds and marine and coastal environments, ecological risk assessments, and the development of mitigation measures and best fishing practices.

2. Socio-ecological systems and governance of marine and coastal environments. Analysis of the interactions between ecological and social components of marine and coastal systems, considering human activities, stakeholder perceptions, ecosystem services, and governance mechanisms, with application to the development of strategies for biodiversity conservation and management.

3. Trophic ecology and its relationship with human activities. A study of feeding ecology, trophic interactions, and the responses of birds to various anthropogenic pressures, through the integration of ecological tools and biogeochemical markers.

4. Spatial planning, movement ecology, and priority areas for conservation. Identification and assessment of areas of ecological importance for marine and coastal birds, using spatial analysis tools and considering environmental and climate change scenarios, with application to the planning and management of protected areas.

5. Assessment of environmental risks and impacts. Analysis of the exposure, vulnerability, and responses of seabirds to various anthropogenic threats -including productive activities, pollution, and habitat transformation - with the aim of contributing to impact assessment and the development of conservation measures.

6. Behavioral ecology and responses to human disturbances. Study of the behavioral responses of marine and coastal birds to novel stimuli, environmental changes, and human-induced disturbances, including an analysis of behavioral flexibility and tolerance toward human activities.