Applied and Restoration Ecology

We focus on developing methods and strategies for the management and restoration of ecosystems and natural resources. Emphasis is allocated to identify and quantify the human impacts causing the degradation of terrestrial and aquatic communities and the socio-ecological interactions. We applied methods ranging from experimental manipulation to extensive field-work and ecological modeling, at multiple spatial-temporal scales. A particular focus is put on the watershed scale by integrating terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem interactions, with a special attention to agro-environments and other areas intensively transformed and degraded by human activities.The environmental, social and economical aspects are integrated by considering natural ecosystems as complex socio-ecological systems. The integrative method chosen for approaching and balancing the contrasting interests under such complex scenario is the provision and economic valuation of ecosystem services, as a land-use planning-tool