Wetland Ecology

 

The natural wetlands (mainly seasonal marshes and temporary lagoons) and artificial wetlands (ricefields, salt pans, fish farms) of the Doñana area in the Guadalquivir delta are of especial importance for our research. Our particular interests include the ecology of aquatic insects, as well as the study of invasive species (notably Trichocorixa verticalis), parasites and genetic variations of these populations.

 

Ecophysiology, Ecology and Biogeography of aquatic insects

 

We aim to increase understanding of the variety of traits observed in aquatic Hemiptera and other insects, as well as their ecophysiology and the interactions with the environment, predator-prey interactions, (including those with other Hemiptera, Cladocera and Artemia). In additional, the study of the biogeography and dispersal of Hemiptera, especially the movement of flying adults between wetlands and their movement within wetlands.

 

Biological Invasions of aquatic insects

 

Research about the distribution patterns of the invasive species Trichocorixa verticalis and the ecological mechanisms that govern its establishment and spread in recipient habitats or regions. The invasion and impact can be expected to depend on a combination of species traits, characteristics of the receptive ecosystem and invasion event factors such as time since invasion and the frequency of introduction.

 

Conservation Biology and Global Change

 

We will apply techniques within a multidisciplinary context, from molecular genetics and from population modeling to isotopic analyses, using theoretical, experimental and observational approaches. Ultimately, our aim is to building the scientific basis needed for the conservation of biological diversity, particular with respect to the impacts of the invasion by T. verticalis in Doñana and ultimately across Europe and the Mediterranean region.