Research Interests:
Marine community ecology - Benthic ecology - Conservation biology - Environmental policy
Marine community ecology - Benthic ecology - Conservation biology - Environmental policy
My research interests focus on ecological science to study the impact of natural and anthropogenic factors affecting coastal benthic communities, in the Mediterranean, California, and coral reefs in the Caribbean and French Polynesia. I approach this objective from different angles, measuring growth and feeding rates through in situ experiments, studying reproductive features and physiological adaptations of corals, octocorals and other benthic organisms, studying population structure to reveal trends of recruitment and mortality, and finally studying phase shifts in community structure in response to environmental disturbance. The ecological results are then linked to socioeconomic data in order to help develop sound ecosystem management plans.
ARTICLES
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The Role of Ecology and Conservation in Today's Society
Ecology is a relatively new scientific discipline, yet it has transformed politics and our economy during the last decades. Many bemoan that we cannot save the natural environment, and this article argues that we could be entering a bright era of environmental conservation. |
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Precious Coral Harvest for Jewelry:
The Mediterranean Red Coral (Corallium rubrum) has been harvested for centuries to use its carmine red skeleton for the manufacture of jewelry. However, more and more scientific studies have shown that this resource is overharvested, and in need of better management and trade controls. |
Giant Kelp in California forms forests that attract a multitude of organisms. Kelp forests act as ecosystem engineers, and they create the foundations of an entire ecosystem. One of the most fascinating animals we found during our surveys are school sharks (Galeorhinus galeus).
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More articles coming soon...
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