Forest Ecology and Restoration research group
Forest Ecology and Restoration research group
About the group
Forest ecosystems in the 21st century sit at the crossroads of the current climate and biodiversity crises. Conserving, restoring, and managing ecosystems in the face of uncertainty, requires strong scientific evidence and innovation.
The Forest Ecology and Restoration Group (ForEco-Lab) is an interdisciplinary team of researchers based at -“UNESCO Word Heritage site”- Universidad de Alcalá. ForEco-Lab is committed to the study, conservation, and restoration of world forests, with emphasis on the Mediterranean and Latin America biodiversity hotspots.
Our research analyses forest ecosystem complexity across a variety of scales through field studies and experimental and integrated data-driven modelling approximations. Our main focus is to develop fundamental knowledge in ecology but also to develop innovative solutions for addressing environmental challenges, and to advise and support policy makers and stakeholders in the decision-making process. Key current directions include identification of key mechanisms of forest expansion and recovery, and ecosystem vulnerabilities in the face of global change. We are also committed to the development of cost-effective nature-based solutions in mitigation, adaptation, and restoration of key ecosystem services.
ForEco-Lab coordinates a widely recognized Master’s Program in Ecosystem Restoration and a Ph.D. Program in Ecology, Biodiversity and Global Change. Our researchers also join the Faculty of Science to share participation in Undergraduate degrees in Biology, Environmental Sciences, Forensic Science and Health Biology.
– Prof. Miguel A. Zavala (Head of the lab)
About the group
Forest ecosystems in the XXI century are at the crossroad of the current climate and biodiversity crises. Conserving, restoring, and managing the commons in the face of uncertainty, urgently requires strong scientific evidence and innovation. The Forest Ecology and Restoration Group (ForEco-Lab) is an interdisciplinary team of researchers based at “UNESCO Word Heritage” Universidad de Alcala which is committed to the study, conservation, and restoration of world forests, with emphasis on the Mediterranean and Latin America biodiversity hotspots. Our research analyses forest ecosystem complexity across scales through field studies, experimental and integrated data-driven modelling approximations. Our main focus is to develop fundamental knowledge in ecology but also to develop innovative solutions for the management of the commons, and to advise and support policy makers and stakeholders in their decisions. Key current directions include identification of key mechanisms of forest expansion and recovery, and ecosystem vulnerabilities in the face of global change. We are also committed to the development of cost-effective nature-based solutions in mitigation, adaptation, and restoration of key ecosystem services.
ForEco-Lab coordinates a widely recognized Master’s Program in Ecosystem Restoration and a Ph.D. Program in Ecology, Biodiversity and Global Change. Our researchers also join the Faculty of Science to share participation in Undergraduate degrees in Biology, Environmental Sciences, Forensic Science and Sanitarian Biology.
– Prof. Miguel A. Zavala (Head of the lab)
