Island Biodiversity, Biogeography & Conservation - IBBC
Subgroup Leader of Island Aquatic Ecology

Ana Isabel de Melo Azevedo Neto

Past Recent Members

Coastal Ecology Marine macroalgae Aquaculture Biodiversity Conservation Phycology Macaronesia

I received a Ph.D. in Marine Biology from the University of the Azores in 1997 and I am currently leading the Island Aquatic Ecology Research Group of the IBBC Group of cE3c. I am an associated lecturer of Marine Biology at the University of the Azores, where I teach courses at undergraduate, Master and PhD levels and coordinate the Herbarium AZB Ruy Telles Palinha of DB/UAç.

With a background on marine botany and coastal ecology, and having started with studies of characterization of Azorean coastal communities, I have a well-established expertise in marine macroalgae and in the ecology of coastal habitats. I am experienced in coordinating, managing and executing national and international projects and scientific events. Through the projects I have coordinated and participated, I have consolidated national and international collaborations with colleagues working on a range of topics in coastal ecology, evolution and conservation.

My current research is driven by four overarching objectives:(i) the ecological mechanisms involved in structuring littoral communities; (ii) how temporal variations in diversity of coastal communities reflect the isolation of the Azores islands; (iii) how changes in coastal habitats influence local and regional patterns of biodiversity; (iv) how habitat enhancements can increase the abundance of ecologically and economically important littoral resources.