Grupo de Ecología en Ambientes Costeros

My research focuses on the phylogeny, phylogeography, and evolution of both native and exotic marine organisms. In the context of biological invasions, I study the status, origin, introduction events, connectivity, and genetic diversity of invasive populations, with the aim of understanding their impact and the dynamics that affect their dispersal and adaptation in new environments.

I am a postdoctoral fellow at CONICET and I study the effects of exotic ascidians on fouling communities. To do this, I carried out experiments at the Puerto Madryn port to evaluate how the density of sea squirts affects the diversity of these communities. Additionally, I compare the invertebrate communities associated with exotic ascidians to the communities associated with dominant native species, such as mussels and cholgas, on rocky reefs and on artificial structures. Knowing the effects of exotic species helps us design early detection and management plans to prevent their dispersion on the coasts of Argentina.

The research program that I lead at the GEAC explores: 1) the factors that give rise and shape coastal environments in the present and throughout their history, and 2) scientific, cultural and ethical problems that alter the perception that scientists we have of Nature. The framework of my research and concerns has been, for almost 30 years, the problem of Biological Invasions.

Currently, my line of research focuses on the study of the structure and functioning of marine food webs, to understand how they are influenced by the establishment of invasive exotic species. Particularly, I am interested in knowing what are the characteristics of the food webs that facilitate the establishment of invasive exotic species, and vice versa. At the same time, I aim to understand the effects that these species produce on native communities at the ecosystem level from the perspective of trophic ecology.