current projects
2023 – present: Modelling restoration of wetlands for carbon pathways, climate change mitigation and adaptation, ecosystem services, and biodiversity, co-benefits (RESTORE4Cs). Horizon Europe Framework Programme. Coordinator: A. Lillebo (University of Aveiro). Funding: 6,644,837 €. PI at UB: D. von Schiller. PI at UB.
2022 – present: Contribution of naturalized urban ponds to the environmental sustainability of cities (NATURBPOND). Ref: TED2021-130330B-I00. Spanish Government (Proyectos de Transición Ecológica y Digital 2021). PI.
2022 – present: Quantifying restoration success across biomes by linking biodiversity, multifunctionality and hydromorphological heterogeneity (RESTOLINK). Biodiversa & JPI Water Joint Call 2020-2021. PI at UB.
2021 – present: Alteration of carbon sinks and sources in shrinking inland waters (Alter-C). Ref: PID2020-114024GB-C31. Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, Plan Nacional de I+D+I. co-PI.
2015 – present: The 1000 intermittent rivers project: An international initiative to gain understanding on the ecology of intermittent rivers (1000IRP). International crowdfunded network. Member of the core team.
2016 – present: Greenhouse gas emissions from dry freshwater systems (DRYFLUX). Member of the core team.
2018 – present: Research Group on Forest and Stream Ecological Links: Watershed Management and Restoration (FORESTREAM). Catalan Research Groups SGR 2017–2020. Researcher.
2022 – present: Contribution of naturalized urban ponds to the environmental sustainability of cities (NATURBPOND). Ref: TED2021-130330B-I00. Spanish Government (Proyectos de Transición Ecológica y Digital 2021). PI.
2022 – present: Quantifying restoration success across biomes by linking biodiversity, multifunctionality and hydromorphological heterogeneity (RESTOLINK). Biodiversa & JPI Water Joint Call 2020-2021. PI at UB.
2021 – present: Alteration of carbon sinks and sources in shrinking inland waters (Alter-C). Ref: PID2020-114024GB-C31. Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, Plan Nacional de I+D+I. co-PI.
2015 – present: The 1000 intermittent rivers project: An international initiative to gain understanding on the ecology of intermittent rivers (1000IRP). International crowdfunded network. Member of the core team.
2016 – present: Greenhouse gas emissions from dry freshwater systems (DRYFLUX). Member of the core team.
2018 – present: Research Group on Forest and Stream Ecological Links: Watershed Management and Restoration (FORESTREAM). Catalan Research Groups SGR 2017–2020. Researcher.
MAIN RESEARCH LINES
Nutrient spiraling
Streams and rivers have the ability to store and remove nutrients (e.g. nitrogen and phosphorus) during downstream transport, which reduces the amount of nutrients delivered to downstream freshwater ecosystems and the sea. This in-stream nutrient retention and removal capacity is considered an important ecosystem service. Human activities alter in-stream nutrient spiraling through the combined effect of hydro-morphological modifications, increased nutrient loading, and other forms of water pollution that inhibit biological communities responsible for nutrient uptake. My research aims at examining how these changes affect several processes related to in-stream nutrient spiraling in streams. This knowledge is fundamental, if we intent to understand the response of freshwater ecosystems to global change and its implications for global nutrient budgets.
Streams and rivers have the ability to store and remove nutrients (e.g. nitrogen and phosphorus) during downstream transport, which reduces the amount of nutrients delivered to downstream freshwater ecosystems and the sea. This in-stream nutrient retention and removal capacity is considered an important ecosystem service. Human activities alter in-stream nutrient spiraling through the combined effect of hydro-morphological modifications, increased nutrient loading, and other forms of water pollution that inhibit biological communities responsible for nutrient uptake. My research aims at examining how these changes affect several processes related to in-stream nutrient spiraling in streams. This knowledge is fundamental, if we intent to understand the response of freshwater ecosystems to global change and its implications for global nutrient budgets.
Ecosystem metabolism and carbon emissions
Inland waters contribute substantially to global carbon emissions, mainly in the form of carbon dioxide and methane. These greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere may have important effects on global warming. Carbon dioxide emissions are especially important in running waters, where they are driven to a great extent by ecosystem metaboilsm (i.e. respiration). Yet, abiotic mechanisms (e.g. interactions with the carbonate system) can also contribute to carbon emissions. My research focuses on understanding the relative importance of these biotic and abiotic mechanisms in controlling carbon dioxide emissions. Furthermore, my work aims at examining the impact of hydrologic discontinuities (e.g. dammed or dried stretches) on these mechanisms as well as on the magnitude and timing of carbon dioxide and methane emissions along river networks.
Inland waters contribute substantially to global carbon emissions, mainly in the form of carbon dioxide and methane. These greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere may have important effects on global warming. Carbon dioxide emissions are especially important in running waters, where they are driven to a great extent by ecosystem metaboilsm (i.e. respiration). Yet, abiotic mechanisms (e.g. interactions with the carbonate system) can also contribute to carbon emissions. My research focuses on understanding the relative importance of these biotic and abiotic mechanisms in controlling carbon dioxide emissions. Furthermore, my work aims at examining the impact of hydrologic discontinuities (e.g. dammed or dried stretches) on these mechanisms as well as on the magnitude and timing of carbon dioxide and methane emissions along river networks.
Temporary streams
Temporary streams (i.e. running waters that experience a recurrent dry phase of varying duration and spatial extent) comprise a substantial proportion of the total number, length, and discharge of fluvial networks. Their extent is particularly large in arid and semiarid regions like the Mediterranean. Moreover, the duration and extent of flow intermittency is increasing globally as a consequence of climate and land use change. Nevertheless, temporary rivers are mostly ignored in ecological research and in water legislation currently in force. This represents an important misconception, if our aim is to understand and manage river ecosystems on a wide perspective. My research aims to adress some of these gaps, especially those related to the biogeochemistry of nutrients and carbon during the dry phase of temporary watercourses.
Temporary streams (i.e. running waters that experience a recurrent dry phase of varying duration and spatial extent) comprise a substantial proportion of the total number, length, and discharge of fluvial networks. Their extent is particularly large in arid and semiarid regions like the Mediterranean. Moreover, the duration and extent of flow intermittency is increasing globally as a consequence of climate and land use change. Nevertheless, temporary rivers are mostly ignored in ecological research and in water legislation currently in force. This represents an important misconception, if our aim is to understand and manage river ecosystems on a wide perspective. My research aims to adress some of these gaps, especially those related to the biogeochemistry of nutrients and carbon during the dry phase of temporary watercourses.
