Seabird and shorebird ecology: foraging and breeding ecology; migration; bird populations as indicators of environmental changes; habitat use and management.

I am Assistant Researcher at the University of Lisbon, working mainly on shorebird and seabird ecology, but also with a strong interest on the conservation of steppe birds. My main research is focused on key state-of-the-art aspects of the ecology of coastal and marine birds in the contrasting ecological contexts of tropical, sub-tropical and temperate estuarine/marine ecosystems.

Work with coastal birds (shorebirds) aims at implementing a long-term international program focused on intercontinental (African-European) migratory connectivity and the role of migrants in ecological networks, using estuarine birds as models. In particularly, research is focused in (1) developing methods to quantitatively assess the quality of foraging and roosting resources in both temperate and tropical estuaries, (2) describing the structure and functioning of food webs leading to shorebirds, (3) assessing the role of these migrant birds on the dynamics of coastal ecosystems, (4) characterizing migratory connectivity of shorebirds within the East Atlantic Flyway (Europe and Africa) (5) investigating the determinants of migratory choices and strategies of shorebirds at the individual and population level and (6) characterizing plasticity of different species to rapidly respond to changing environmental conditions, particularly concerning their phenological and trophic adaptability. Fieldwork has been carried out in Portugal, Morocco, Mauritania and Guinea-Bissau.

With seabirds I have used a combination of traditional (e.g. stomach content analysis, ringing) and modern (e.g. stable isotope analysis, tracking devices) techniques to perform a detailed exploration of the relationship between oceanography and seabird ecology during both the breeding and non-breeding seasons. Study areas include the Portuguese Mediterranean coast, Madeira archipelago (West Atlantic) and Seychelles archipelago (western Indian Ocean.

Research with steppe birds and agricultural systems has a strong focus on conservation. Some relevant achievements in this area include (1) applying SIA tools to study trophic ecology of bird species in order to deliver management guidelines to agricultural practices, (2) assessing the consequences of extreme heat events for breeding populations, (3) assessing for the first time the impact of conservation measures on the structure and functioning of breeding communities (through changes in trophic and non-trophic interactions).