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Call :    Biodiversa Joint Research Call 2026-2027 on "Novel ecosystems: biodiversity, socio-ecological consequences and future trajectories (BiodivFuture)"
Looking for :    a project to join
Contact details
Dr. Rafael Carballeira
rafael.carballeiracoego@ceu.es
0000-0002-2807-6942
Spain
Universidad San Pablo CEU
Botany
https://investigacionusp.ceu.es/es/ipublic/researcher/346435
+34 636508030
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Rafael-Carballeira

I am looking for a project to join
My expertise spans limnology, palaeolimnology and aquatic biodiversity, with a focus on ecosystem responses to environmental change and human disturbance. I integrate sediment records, biological indicators—particularly diatoms—and environmental DNA metabarcoding to reconstruct ecosystem trajectories and assess biodiversity. I am particularly interested in novel aquatic ecosystems, including artificial lakes and constructed wetlands that have undergone spontaneous naturalisation. Relevant experience includes peatland and lake restoration, palaeoenvironmental research in Peru, and co-authorship of the FunAqua global dataset of aquatic fungal biodiversity.

THEME A – NOVEL ECOSYSTEM FUNCTIONING
THEME B – PATHWAYS TO NOVEL ECOSYSTEMS

Keywords: Aquatic ecology; palaeolimnology; environmental DNA; novel ecosystems.
Botanics
Conservation Biology
Hydrology
Landscape ecology
Paleontology
Plant Sciences
I am interested in joining a BiodivFuture proposal exploring how novel aquatic ecosystems, particularly artificial lakes and constructed wetlands (also degradated peatlands) that have undergone spontaneous naturalisation, develop biodiversity and ecological functions over time. I would contribute expertise in limnology, palaeolimnology and environmental DNA to reconstruct their development, assess their conservation value and identify the drivers shaping their future trajectories. Potential case studies in Spain could support comparisons across different environmental and management contexts. I am keen to collaborate with partners specialising in socioecological research, ecosystem services and ecological modelling to connect these findings with societal priorities and inform future management and restoration strategies.

THEME A – NOVEL ECOSYSTEM FUNCTIONING
THEME B – PATHWAYS TO NOVEL ECOSYSTEMS
novel ecosystems, aquatic biodiversity, artificial lakes, wetlands, naturalisation, limnology, palaeolimnology, environmental dna, ecosystem restoration
Researcher in botany and aquatic ecology at Universidad San Pablo CEU, Spain. Expertise in limnology, palaeolimnology, diatoms and environmental DNA. I combine sediment records and biodiversity monitoring to assess ecosystem trajectories, ecological functioning and restoration, with a focus on novel aquatic ecosystems, lakes, wetlands and peatlands.

THEME A – NOVEL ECOSYSTEM FUNCTIONING
THEME B – PATHWAYS TO NOVEL ECOSYSTEMS

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