Postdoc (UB)
Maria Montseny is a postdoctoral researcher at the Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Universitat de Barcelona.
Her research focusses on the conservation an ecological restoration of mesophotic and deep marine ecosystems, mainly dominated by corals and gorgonians species. This research is developed following a multidisciplinary approach combining fieldwork, experimental studies, and laboratory analysis, as the best way to evaluate the potential of ecological restoration. Her official scientific career began with her doctorate, financed by a 2014 FPU grant from the Spanish government. Maria’s thesis focused on the ecological restoration of gorgonian populations on the continental shelf. Data and sample collection field work were combined using scientific diving techniques and remotely or autonomously operated submersible vehicles (ROVs and AUVs).
Maria is currently working at the framework of the ECOREST project, a LIFE project with the primary goal of restoring approximately 30,000 hectares of deep-sea habitats along the Catalan coast, with the active collaboration of fishing industry stakeholders.
Selected articles:
- Maria Montseny; Cristina Linares; Marina Carreio-Silva; et al. 2021. Active ecological restoration of cold-water corals techniques challenges costs and future directions. Frontiers in Marine Science. 8-621151.
- Maria Montseny; Cristina Linares; Núria Viladrich; et al. 2019. First attempts towards the restoration of gorgonian populations on the Mediterranean continental shelf. Aquatic conservation: Marine and freshwater ecosystems. Wiley. 29-8, pp.1278-1284. AC position (1/14).
- Maria Montseny; Cristina Linares; Núria Viladrich; Pol Capdevila; Stefano Ambroso; David Diaz; Josep-Maria Gili; Andrea Gori. 2020. A new large-scale and cost-effective restoration method for cold-water coral gardens. Aquatic conservation: Marine and freshwater ecosystems. Wiley. 30-5, pp.977-987. AC position (1/8).
- Maria Montseny; Cristina Linares; Núria Viladrich; et al. 2021. Involving fishers in scaling up the restoration of cold-water coral gardens on the Mediterranean continental shelf. Biological Conservation Jourrnal. Elsevier. 262-109301, pp.1-12
Contact: mmontseny@ub.edu