A5018318098- Coastal and Marine Management
- Coastal wetland ecosystem dynamics
- Coastal and Marine Dynamics
- Land Use and Ecosystem Services
- Coral and Marine Ecosystems Studies
- Marine and fisheries research
- Marine animal studies overview
- Tropical and Extratropical Cyclones Research
- Conservation, Biodiversity, and Resource Management
- Cephalopods and Marine Biology
- Economic and Environmental Valuation
- International Maritime Law Issues
- Climate Change, Adaptation, Migration
- Turtle Biology and Conservation
- Environmental Philosophy and Ethics
- Complex Systems and Decision Making
- Wildlife-Road Interactions and Conservation
- HIV/AIDS Impact and Responses
- Plant and animal studies
- Ichthyology and Marine Biology
- Urban Transport and Accessibility
- Aeolian processes and effects
- Urban and Rural Development Challenges
- Impact of Light on Environment and Health
- Environmental Education and Sustainability
Universidade de Santiago de Compostela
2019-2023
University of Aveiro
2023
Stanford University
2011-2021
Capital University
2011-2021
Universidade de Vigo
2020-2021
National Audubon Society
2017-2020
World Wildlife Fund
2014-2015
WWF Colombia
2013
Palo Alto Institute
2012
Stanford Health Care
2011
Recent calls for ocean planning envision informed management of social and ecological systems to sustain delivery ecosystem services people. However, until now, no coastal marine process has applied an ecosystem-services framework understand how human activities affect the flow benefits, create scenarios, design a plan. We developed models that quantify provided by corals, mangroves, seagrasses. used these within extensive engagement national spatial plan Belize's zone. Through iteration...
Natural habitats have the ability to protect coastal communities against impacts of waves and storms, yet it is unclear how different complement each other reduce those impacts. Here, we investigate individual combined protection services supplied by live corals on reefs, seagrass meadows, mangrove forests during both non-storm storm conditions, under present future sea-level conditions. Using idealized profiles fringing barrier quantify these using various metrics inundation erosion. We...
People around the world are looking to marine ecosystems provide additional benefits society. As they consider expanding current uses and investing in new ones, management approaches needed that will sustain delivery of diverse people want need. An ecosystem services framework provides metrics for assessing quantity, quality, value obtained from different portfolios uses. Such a has been developed assessments on land, is now being application ecosystems. Here, we present Integrated Valuation...
Ecosystem Service Assessments (ESAs) have become a popular tool for science-based policy. Yet, there are few guidelines developing an ESA to inform decision-making process. This is important area of inquiry since the process conducting likely affect quality results and their influence on decisions. Drawing lessons ESAs around world, we propose set enabling conditions framework carrying out that foster high-quality drive action. Our includes emphasis iterative stakeholder engagement,...
Integrated coastal and ocean management requires transparent accessible approaches for understanding the influence of human activities on marine environments. Here we introduce a model assessing combined risk to habitats from multiple uses. We apply coral reefs, mangrove forests seagrass beds in Belize inform design country's first Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) Plan. Based extensive stakeholder engagement, review existing legislation data collected diverse sources, map current distribution...
Coastal protection of communities and property using "green infrastructure" approaches is gaining popularity as the science practice improve. Guidance limited for decision makers interested in taking action to protect shorelines. Here, we offer practical guidance moving beyond generalities coastal strategies. We present three case examples from U.S. Gulf Mexico Belize, each posing different questions, thus approaches, evaluate whether green infrastructure strategies could be useful. For...
Climate change and population growth are degrading coastal ecosystems increasing risks to communities infrastructure. Reliance on seawalls other types of hardened shorelines is unsustainable in an era rising seas, given the costs build maintain these structures their unintended consequences ecosystems. This especially true for that depend marine livelihoods sustenance. Protecting restoring coral reefs forests can be lower cost, sustainable alternatives shoreline protection. However,...
Abstract The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment described 4 classes of services or functions that ecosystems and their component parts deliver to the benefit humans: provisioning, regulating, supporting, cultural services. Birds, including Neotropical birds, provide a diverse array in all classes. We review literature describing ecosystem provided by draw inference from studies avian other regions when are limited, identify key information gaps. birds provisioning form meat eggs for food,...
Many hope that ocean waves will be a source for clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy, yet wave energy conversion facilities may affect marine ecosystems through variety of mechanisms, including competition with other human uses. We developed decision-support tool to assist siting facilities, which allows the user balance need profitability minimize conflicts Our model quantifies harvestable evaluates net present value (NPV) facility based on capital investment analysis. The has...
A growing number of nations aim to design coastal plans reduce conflicts in space and safeguard ecosystems that provide important benefits people economies. Critics ocean planning point a complicated process with many actors, objectives, uncertain outcomes. This paper explores one such decision-making Belize, which combines ecosystem service modeling, stakeholder participation, spatial the country's first integrated zone management plan, officially approved by government August 2016. We...
Rising seas, more frequent storms and other climate-driven coastal hazards necessitate adaptation planning measures to protect people property. To date, vulnerability assessments have prioritized the most exposed areas of coastline, but there is a gap between recognized climate science feasibility or suitability considerations relevant for implementing strategies—including legal, policy, financial, engineered approaches—to address threats. This paper sets forth methodology bridging science,...
Businesses may be missing opportunities to account for ecosystem services in their decisions, because they do not have methods quantify and value services. We developed a method coastal protection other the context of cost-benefit analysis hurricane risk mitigation options business. first analyze linked biophysical economic models examine potential provided by marshes. then applied this The Dow Chemical Company's Freeport, Texas facility evaluate natural (marshes), built (levee), hybrid...
Fisheries bycatch has been identified as the greatest threat to marine mammals worldwide. Characterizing impacts of on is challenging because it difficult both observe and quantify, particularly in small-scale fisheries where data fishing effort mammal abundance distribution are often limited. The lack risk frameworks that can integrate visualize existing have hindered ability describe quantify risk. Here, we design a new geographic information systems tool built specifically for analysis...
The existence of coastal ecosystems depends on their ability to gain sediment and keep pace with sea level rise. Similar other areas, Northeast Florida (United States) is experiencing rapid population growth, climate change, shifting wetland communities. Rising seas more severe storms, coupled the intensification human activities, can modify biophysical environment, thereby increasing exposure storm-induced erosion inundation. Using Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve...
Conservation of marine megafauna is nested within an intricate tapestry multiple ocean resource uses which are, in turn, embedded a dynamic and complex ecological system that varies shifts across wide range spatial temporal scales. Marine conservation often further complicated by contemporaneous, sometimes competing, social, economic factors related management objectives. Advances emerging technologies applications, such as remotely-sensed oceanographic data, animal-based telemetry, novel...
The United Nations (UN) Decade of Ocean Science highlights a need to improve the way in which scientific results effectively inform action and policies regarding ocean. Our research contributes achieving this goal by identifying practical actions, barriers, stakeholder contributions resources required increase sustainability activities carried out context artisanal fisheries meet UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) International Year Artisanal Fisheries Aquaculture (IYAFA) Global Action...
New coastal development may offer economic benefits to resort builders and even local communities, but these projects can also impact ecosystems, key wildlife, the draw for tourists. We explore how light from Cabo Cortés, a proposed in Baja California Sur, Mexico, alter natural cues used by sea turtle hatchlings. adapt viewshed approach model exterior originating under plausible zoning scenarios. This spatially explicit information allows stakeholders evaluate likely of alternative options....
Natural capital is of critical importance for biodiversity and people's well-being. Studies indicate that understanding the connection between environmental health human benefit (i.e., ecosystem services) can promote conservation-friendly decisions; however, many people don't recognize benefits they derive from nature, nor way their decisions affect those benefits—and consequences our communities economy. One method we have tested educating about services valuation game-based learning. To...