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Research interests
My main research interest is to
understand how stream ecosystems function and how they
respond to natural and anthropogenic disturbances. Streams
are fundamental to all life on earth and they provide
multiple services to humans, including water supply for
drinking, domestic use and industry; waste removal;
fisheries; and recreational services. Still, they are
among the most mistreated and neglected of our natural
resources.
Biodiversity gradients, including latitudinal gradients,
have always intrigued ecologists. Most research on streams
has been conducted in temperate regions, but the
increasing number of tropical studies is revealing
interesting differences in the structure and functioning
of streams from different latitudes. I am currently
investigating the variation in leaf litter decomposition
(used as an indicator of ecosystem functioning) and
biodiversity of detritivores across latitudinal gradients
at a global scale (with field sites in all continents
except Antarctica).
Detritivores are key components of stream food webs and
part of my research is dedicated to exploring their
ecological role as leaf litter decomposers, and their
interactions among them and with predators (behavioural
responses to predator chemical cues and trophic cascades).
Streams are currently subjected to multiple stressors
including climate change and other phenomena such as
invasive species or eutrophication. The joint effect of
these factors will probably have consequences that are
difficult to predict based on their single effects. I am
currently investigating how raised temperatures and
increased nutrient loadings expected from climate change
will affect the structure and functioning of stream
ecosystems.
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