Conservation in Socio-Ecological Systems - CSES

Conservation in Socio-Ecological Systems - CSES

CSES focus is the human footprint on species and ecosystems, to advance conservation management of biodiversity and system resilience to change, thus answering global environmental, social and economic challenges. CSES assumes a cross-disciplinary research perspective, combining ecological, conservation and socio-economic approaches that include ecosystem services assessments, participatory methodologies and citizen-science. We generate novel scientific information about species and ecosystem responses to human actions, transfer this knowledge to practitioners and decision makers, and promote society awareness and citizen’s role as monitoring agents.

At the species level, we focus on the effects of human impacts (e.g., of road infrastructure, water impoundments, wind farms, noise pollution), and of human-mediated introductions (invasive species or wildlife pathogens) on native species and communities. At the ecosystem level, we investigate freshwater and land systems, with emphasis on two socio-ecological systems: cork oak Portuguese Montado (a high-nature value agroforest), and urban systems. We also coordinate a long-term socio-ecological research platform (http://www.ltsermontado.pt/) which is part of an international network. The platform provides evidence-based information to land-managers about the effects of different management options on ecosystem services.

In addition to 12 PhD members, the group includes a considerable number of project research assistants and doctoral and master students. To manage the group's wide range of research topics, it is organized into five subgroups, each headed by a Principal Investigator.

 

Sub-Groups

Carnivore Conservation Ecology Invasion Ecology Landscape Epidemiology and Wildlife Diseases Research in Aquatic Systems Socio-Ecological Research

Team

Projects