The IU-ECOAQUA's Biodiversity and Conservation group (BIOCON), led by Fernando Tuya, addresses topics on marine biodiversity at different levels: local, in the Canary Islands, continental, across the archipelagos of Macaronesia, and at a more global level, seeking solutions for the conservation and management of the planet’s oceans. 

With a mean budget close to one million euros per year, over the last five years, the group cover coastal and ocean ecosystems and their biological communities, the impact of human actions (e.g. fishing), and how to manage the multiplicity of human actions, to ensure a sustainable management of the sea.

The group currently has twenty one researchers associated with different research lines and projects, including PLASMAR +, ACUSQUAT II, Angel Shark, CAPonLITTER, DG REFORM, MOVE ON, METOSERECO, MACRODO, MSP-OR, MARINE SABRES Rays of Paradise, and its participation in the drafting of the National Strategic Plan for the Protection of the Coast considering the effects of climate change. 

Researchers

  • Fernando Tuya Cortés

    PhD in Marine Sciences, he actually leads the BIOCON group. His research aims to explain patterns and processes in the organization of marine biodiversity in coastal ecosystems across different scales (space, time and taxonomy), to transfer such knowledge into the sustainable management of coastal ecosystems. He has published more than 130 articles in international journals and actively participated in international forums. He is an enthusiast of the sea, marine life and anything that can be done in the ocean.

    Academic position: Associate Professor at the ULPGC

    Corporate email:
    fernando.tuya@ulpgc.es


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  • Ricardo J. Haroun Tabraue

    Director of the IU-ECOAQUA. Marine biologist, expert on systematics, sustainability and conservation of marine biota, with more than 170 scientific publications related to biodiversity and sustainable use of marine resources. Actively working on marine plants, marine spatial planning, environmental interactions, and ecosystem services. He is a member of the Commission on Ecosystem Management (CEM) from the UICN and an expert for the Government of the Canary Islands in the Biodiversity Work Programme for the Islands.

    Academic position: Professor at the ULPGC

    Corporate email:
    ricardo.haroun@ulpgc.es


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  • José Juan Castro Hernández

    PhD in Marine Sciences, his research line focus on the assessment and management of artisanal and recreational fisheries. He has developed studies of the biology, ecology and behavior of fishes, crustaceans, and cephalopods. His research also includes the development and deployment of fish aggregation devices (FADs). He is President and Coordinator of the Commission on Fisheries Forum of the Atlantic Society of Oceanographers.

    Academic position: Associate Professor at the ULPGC

    Corporate email:
    jose.castro@ulpgc.es


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  • Antonio J. González Ramos

    PhD in Marine Sciences, lecturing at the ULPGC since 2001. He has been a lecturer in Oceanography and, Marine Ecology in the Marine Sciences Degree and in Doctorate and Master's Programmes at the University of Barcelona, the University of La Réunion (France DOM) and Rutgers University (New Jersey, USA). His research line focus on Operational Oceanography, Remote Sensing and Marine Robotics (operations with Autonomous Underwater Vehicles).

    Academic position: Associate Professor at the ULPGC

    Corporate email:
    antonio.ramos@ulpgc.es


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  • Rodrigo Riera Elena

    PhD in Marine Ecology from the University of La Laguna, with an specialist in Zoology. His research interests focus on the effects of human-driven perturbations on the biodiversity and ecosystem function of coastal assemblages. He is broadly interested in small and large-scale patterns of coastal diversity (fish and inverts) to understand the role of species diversity, functional traits and interactions between species in community assembly.

    Academic position: Assistant Professor at the ULPGC

    Corporate email:
    rodrigo.riera@ulpgc.es


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  • Raül Triay Portella

    PhD in Marine Sciences, interested on the spatial distribution of marine invasive species and their effects on native ecosystems under a context of global change. Particularly, his efforts have been focused on the ecology and impact of invasive crabs and the establishment of criteria to control invasive marine species. 

    Academic position: Postdoctoral researcher at the ULPGC.

    Corporate email:
    raul.triay@ulpgc.es


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  • Inmaculada Herrera Rivero

    PhD in Marine Sciences from the ULPGC, specialist in Ecology, Physiology and Biochemistry of zooplankton. Her research focus  in the study of marine food webs, through biomarkers. She actively collaborates in the development of Marine Spatial Planning tools (Canary Islands), and in the National Strategic Plan for the Spanish Coastal Protection.

    Academic position: Postdoctoral researcher at the ULPGC

    Corporate email:
    inma.herrera@ulpgc.es


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  • Francisco Otero Ferrer

    PhD in Marine Sciences, interested on the functioning of different 'ecosystems engineers' species, such as rhodoliths seabeds or Black Coral Forests, and the effect of environmental drivers affecting benthic communities associated with these ecosystems. Moreover, he is involved in the development of tools for mapping these marine ecosystems and their services. He is a multifaceted researcher, taking part in international documentaries about nature.

    Academic position: Postdoctoral researcher

    Corporate email:
    francesco_25@hotmail.com


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  • Andrej Abramic

    PhD in hydraulic and environmental engineering from the University Politecnica of Valencia, currently associated to the IU-ECOAQUA of the ULPGC, with extensive experience in different fields of research. He currently focuses his work on coastal environmental problems and marine pollution, environmental impact assessment, operational application in maritime spatial planning, spatial data management and monitoring, common European policies related to the marine environment and data information exchange.

    Academic position: Postdoctoral researcher at the ULPGC

    Corporate email:
    andrej.abramic@ulpgc.es


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  • Fernando Espino Rodríguez

    PhD in Marine Sciences, he has taken part in several scientific projects and research on Cymodocea nodosa (sebadales) seagrass meadows of Canary Islands, particularly associated littoral fish populations. He is the author of several books and scientific publications, a recreational SCUBA diving instructor, scientific diver and technical diver with closed circuit equipment. He has an extensive catalogue of underwater photograph. He is a technician of at the Environmental Impact Service of the Canary Islands Government.

    Academic position: Researcher associated to IU-ECOAQUA

    Corporate email:
    fesprod@gobiernodecanarias.org

  • Alejandro García Mendoza

    Degree in Geomatics and Topography and Master in Environmental Management, expert in GIS, standardization and publication of geographic data. He is responsible for the creation of the ULPGC Geoportal and the DSS INDIMAR® tool. He has collaborated with several publications related to marine spatial planning under the PLASMAR and PLAMAR+ projects.

    Academic position: GIS Manager of the ULPGC Geoportal

    Corporate email:
    alejandro.garcia@ulpgc.es


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  • Yaiza Fernández Palacios

    PhD in Marine Sciences from the ULPGC. Her research interests includes the sustainability of coastal and marine systems, Integrated Coastal Zone Management, sustainability assessment through indicator systems, blue economy, responsible tourism, conservation, participative processes, citizen-science strategies, in order to improve public policies via  dissemination tools to raise environmental sensitivity. Her most recent research focuses on improving public policies and private sector practices to prevent marine litter.

    Academic position: Postdoctoral researcher at the ULPGC

    Corporate email:
    yaiza.fernandezpalacios@ulpgc.es


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  • Candelaria Cecilia Ruano

    Diploma in Tourism from the ULPGC and Degree in Tourism from the UCAM. She holds an International Master's Degree in Tourism from the ULPGC, Master's Degree in Human Resources Management (UCM), and a Master's Degree in Sustainability and RSC (UNED-UJI). Her research focuses on topics related to responsible tourism, sustainability and corporate social responsibility, and participative processes to improve public policies. She also has extensive experience in project management and development with regional, national and international partnerships, as well as, in education related to the professional family of Hostelry and Tourism.

    Academic position: Researcher contracted

    Corporate email:
    candy.cecilia@ulpgc.es


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  • David L. Jiménez Alvarado

    PhD in Marine Sciences with a specialization in fisheries, particularly recreational fishing activities. For the last 7 years, he has focused his activity on the study of the biological and ecological behaviour of elasmobranch species (sharks and rays) throughout Europe and especially in the waters around the Canary Islands.

    Academic position: Postdoctoral researcher

    Corporate email:
    david.jimenez@ulpgc.es


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  • Nestor E. Bosch Guerra

    PhD in Marine Ecology from the University of Western Australia. His research focuses on understanding the functioning of fish in marine ecosystems, from local to global scales. Part of his research takes place in a context of global change, to understand how anthropogenic impacts, such as climate change and fisheries, change the processes that support the functioning of marine ecosystems and the generation of associated ecosystem services.

    Academic position: Researcher contracted by Atlantic Biodiversity and Sustainability Association (ABAS)

    Corporate email:
    nbosch1989@gmail.com


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  • Víctor Cordero Penín

    PhD candidate, his research focuses on coastal and ocean planning and management, to contribute to the sustainable use of coasts and oceans. Associated with the PLASMAR+ project, he is currently researching how to conserve marine ecological structures and processes, while ensuring the provision of goods and services that contribute to our well-being.

    Academic position: PhD student of the ULPGC

    Corporate email:
    victor.cordero@fpct.ulpgc.es


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  • Marcial Cosme de Esteban

    Degree in biology from the UAM. He is currently developing his thesis at the ULPGC.

    He aims to research different subtidal habitats, mainly focusing on rhodolith seabeds, to provide information for the conservation and improvement of Marine Protected Areas.

    Academic position: PhD student of the ULPGC

    Corporate email:
    marcial.cosme@ulpgc.es


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  • Sandra Navarro-Mayoral

    Graduated in Marine Sciences and Oceanography. Her research focuses on the study of macroecological interactions between marine habitats underpinned by bioengineering species, such as rhodolith seabeds and Cymodocea nodosa seagrass meadows. She has worked widely with amphipod communities and their use as indicators of environmental change.

    Academic position: PhD student of the ULPGC

    Corporate email:
    sandra.navarro@ulpgc.es


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  • Airam Guerra Marrero

    PhD candidate, graduated in Marine Sciences from the ULPGC and Extraordinary Degree Award of the Master's Degree in Sustainable Management of Fishing Resources of the ULPGC. His main research focuses on the fisheries biology of fish and cephalopods. Since 2017, he is associated with the BIOCON team, where he works on projects related to artisanal/recreational fisheries and biodiversity conservation.

    Academic position: PhD student of the ULPGC

    Corporate email:
    airam.guerra@ulpgc.es


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  • Ana María Espino Ruano

    Graduated in Marine Science from the ULPGC. She completed a Master's degree in Sustainable Management of Fishery Resources from the same university. She is specialising in the biology, ecology and management of endangered species, especially elasmobranchs, through acoustic monitoring projects. Her research focuses on the ecology and behaviour of stingrays in the coastal area of the Canary Islands.

    Academic position: PhD student of the ULPGC

    Corporate email:
    ana.espino104@alu.ulpgc.es


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  • María Lorena Couce Montero

    PhD in Marine Sciences from the ULPGC, with a specialization in ecological modeling. Her research focuses on marine trophic networks and the ecosystem approach to fisheries management.

    Since 2017 she collaborates in different projects to Descriptors 3 and 4 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive.

    Academic position: Postdoctoral researcher

    Corporate email:
    lorena.couce@ulpgc.es


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  • Raibel Z. Núñez González

    Bachelor of Biology from the Universidad Central Venezuela, with a Master of Science in Marine Resource Management (CICIMAR-Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico) with a special interest in ecology and interactions between species of marine ecosystems. She has participated in research projects with elasmobranchs and other marine organisms. She is currently doing her doctoral thesis on the ecology of sea urchin species on the island of Gran Canaria, with an emphasis on learning about their distribution, reproductive cycle, associated organisms, and the presence of pollutants.

    Academic position: PhD student of the ULPGC

    Corporate email:
    raibel.nunez@gmail.com

  • Jose Valdazo Hernández

    Degree in Marine Science with a Master degree in Coastal Management from the ULPGC. He is currently preparing his doctoral thesis at the same university while working as a technician at the environmental consulting company elittoral.

    His research focuses on the study of marine habitats underpinned by bioengineering brown macroalgae. He aims to research the changes in the distribution of Gongolaria abies-marina forests and their relationship with anthropogenic variables in a context of climate change.

    Academic position: PhD student of the ULPGC

    Corporate email:
    jose.valdazo101@alu.ulpgc.es

News

18/03/2023
The Aquaculture Research Group (GIA) of the University Institute for Research in Sustainable Aquaculture and Marine...
03/03/2023
Three scientists from the Biodiversity and Conservation group (BIOCON) of the Institute for Research in Sustainable...
27/02/2023
The MAC-RODO project, funded by the European program LIFE4BEST, has studied the biodiversity and ecosystem services of...

Events

13/02/2023

Time: From 9:00 a.m. to 17:00 p.m.

Place of celebration: Sala de Piedra of the Rectorate of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Canary Island. Spain.

Organiser: ULPGC

Research Group: Biodiversity and Conservation group (BIOCON)

From February 13th to 17th, 2023, the course "Environmental Management on Islands: Challenges and Sustainability" will be organized at the Sala de Piedra of the Rectorate of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. 

Islands are special cases for Sustainable Development. Methodologically and scientifically, islands are ideal ‘laboratories’ for sustainable landscape stewardship. Islands are unique in both attractiveness and climate vulnerability, they are relatively isolated and ‘on their own’ compared to mainland areas, yet they are also more dependent and need to be well connected to other areas more than mainland areas.

This Winter School/Advanced Course is aimed at combining all these different perspective, focusing on Gran Canaria.

Programme

02/02/2023 03/02/2023

Time: Thursday, February 2nd; 8:30 to 14:30 and 16:00 to 19:00 - Friday, February 3rd; 9:00 to 16:30

Place of celebration: Institución Ferial de Canarias (INFECAR).   

Organiser: INFECAR 

Research Group: Biodiversity and Conservation group (BIOCON) and Ecophysiology of Marine Organisms group (EOMAR)

At the International Forum Ecoislas, promoted and funded by the Regional Government of Gran Canaria and organised by the Institución Ferial de Canarias (INFECAR), in which the Director of ECOAQUA Ricardo Haroun and the Director of the EOMAR group May Gómez will participate. ECOISLAS is an international event whose aim is to provide a space for discussion, proposals and promotion of measures that favor the transition to a socioeconomic model that is greener, more profitable, self-sufficient and environmentally sustainable with an insular approach.

Programme

Get your ticket

02/02/2023

Time: 12:30

Place of celebration: Meeting room of the IU-ECOAQUA

Organiser: OTRI

Research Group: GIA - BIOCON - EOMAR - TOTMA

The OTRI team of the ULPGC will be at ECOAQUA to know us and to let you know about our services.

Join us?

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The IU ECOAQUA is a research centre that belongs to the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, a public institution that offers a wide range of degrees in all the major areas of knowledge, with the aim of providing comprehensive training to those who come to it, in a commitment based on innovation, quality and internationalisation.

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