2010-2013
FCT (Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology) PhD Student
Profile
My research interest is in conservation planning in increasingly transformed landscapes and a changing climate, where more dynamic approaches to conservation are being called for. In my current work as a PhD student, I am exploring the implications of climate change for species persistence in sub-Saharan Africa, with a particular focus on the potential ecological benefits of off-protected area conservation from a landscape perspective. My PhD research is co-hosted by the Biochange Lab at the National Museum of Natural Sciences in Madrid (Spain), the Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology at the University of Stellenbosch (South Africa), and the Rui Nabeiro Biodiversity Chair at the University of Évora (Portugal), and supervised by Miguel Araújo, Mar Cabeza and Andrew Knight.
The research will be divided in two parts. Firstly, my aim is to identify potential climatic refugia for multiple species in sub-Saharan Africa. This analysis at the sub-continental scale will highlight high priority biogeographical realms for species persistence under climate change. The second part will scale down to the level of the protected area networks and surrounding matrix within identified refugia. This finer-scale assessment will explore how specific land management systems can influence the ability of species to track suitable climate space. Both macro- and fine-scale assessments will rely on the use of bioclimatic modelling and spatial analysis tools.
Most of my work in environmental research and consulting, especially over six years in Africa, has spanned a range of issues from protected area assessment to community-based natural resource management. I started focusing on biodiversity conservation during my involvement in rapid biodiversity assessments in Southern Africa while working as an environmental consultant in South Africa. Later in 2009, at the Rui Nabeiro Biodiversity Chair, my focus turned to conservation planning under climate change. The resulting review of adaptation measures contributed to a report by Miguel Araújo on protected areas and climate change for the Council of Europe.
Selected publications
Garcia, R. & Araújo, M.B. 2010. Planejamento para a conservação em um clima em mudança. Natureza & Conservação. In press
