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I am a plant ecologist interested in conservation biology. My research focuses on the ecology of biological invasions, especially in Mediterranean ecosystems including islands. In collaboration with a large international network of ecologists we conduct field experiments, extensive field surveys and the analysis of large datasets to improve our understanding on the biological invasions phenomena, to develop risk analysis of invasions, and to mitigate their impacts.
Main areas of study include:
a) Landscape and environmental factors associated to invasions.
In the context of climatic and land-use change, we analyze landscape and regional characteristics influencing invasions as a tool to improve spatially-explicit information on risk of invasions.
b) Biotic factors controlling alien plant establishment.
We focus on the role of plant competition and herbivory, including seed predation, as biological controls of alien plant species establishment. On the other hand, we also work on alien plant pollination, as this mutualistic interaction is needed for seed set in many enthomophilous alien plants.
c) Ecological and economic impacts of biological invasions.
Our work contributes to quantify the ecological impacts of biological invasions on biodiversity and ecosystem services. We identify the most impacted habitats and the traits of alien species conferring major changes in ecosystem functioning. |
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Montserrat Vilà |
Tel: 954 466700 ext. 1450 |
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Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD-CSIC) |
Fax: 954 621125 |
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Avda. Américo Vespucio s/n. Isla de la Cartuja |
www.montsevila.org |
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41092 Sevilla. España |
montse.vila@ebd.csic.es |
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