Biodiversity and invasive species: We study the role that key species (invertebrates, macroalgae) play in defining different coastal habitats (rocky intertidal, tidal flats, shallow bottoms, estuaries), and comparing organisms based on ecological traits (functional diversity). We are also interested in learning how invasive species affect coastal ecosystems. We are currently studying the effects of Rugulopteryx okamurae on the rocky intertidal and sandy beaches.
JM Cano
JM Cano
JM Cano
M. Westerbom
Ecosystem functioning: we are interested in the relationships between benthic communities and ecosystem processes that are essential to marine ecosystems, mainly by means of experimental manipulations. We focus on ecosystem processes (e.g. nutrient uptakes, respiration rates, primary and secondary production) and trophic links, and how disturbances, natural or human-induced, can shift coupled processes in different coastal habitats.
Sandy beach ecology: We study beach benthic biodiversity (meio and macrofauna, microbial communities) at different scales, and their relationships with beach wildlife (fish and shorebirds) and algal accumulations. We also study the effects of human disturbances on sandy beaches (nourishment, tourism, seawalls).
Ecosystem connectivity: Cross-habitat biodiversity and spatial subisidies. Macroalgal rocky bed communities from nearshore environments are very productive haibtats able to subsidize adjacent low-productivy habitats such as shalow softbottoms and sandy beaches (wrack).
Antarctica: We study intertidal and shallow habitats from the South Shetland Islands: benthic biodiversity, environmental variables, spatio-temporal changes, spatial subsidies, climate change.