Per la Setmana de la Ciència, tornen les minixerrades científiques dins el tren de Sóller. 

Abstract

Did you know there are winged ghosts in the sea? European Storm-Petrels, often called "sea ghosts," are tiny seabirds that glide unnoticed across the ocean, searching for food. Tagging such small and elusive creatures has been one of the greatest challenges in ecology, but recent advances in GPS miniaturization have finally allowed us to lift the veil on their mysterious journeys. We tracked 39 storm-petrels from four colonies across the Western Mediterranean using GPS devices. By combining tracking data with oceanographic features, we not only uncovered the key areas where these birds prefer to forage, but we also found that these birds are highly selective, favoring waters with specific environmental conditions. Using this knowledge, we created predictive maps of the best foraging spots, revealing crucial hotspots in the Mediterranean. However, many of these areas lack Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), leaving them vulnerable to overfishing and human impacts.

Abstract

Fish movement plays a crucial role in ecosystem dynamics and has significant implications for the management of species targeted by commercial and recreational fisheries. In this talk, we will present an overview of our research using advanced bio-logging techniques (acoustic telemetry) to study the movement and behaviour of species of commercial and ecological importance in the Balearic Islands. Using high-resolution tracking systems, we have revealed the space use variability and the social structure of an iconic species such as the pearly razorfish (“raor”, Xyrichtys novacula), establishing a fruitful research line on the causes and consequences of fish behaviour. Additionally, through developing a large-scale tracking initiative, the Balearic Tracking Network, we are studying the functioning, effectiveness, and connectivity of the marine protected area network in the region through a multi-species approach. Our findings not only improve our understanding of the drivers of fish behaviour but also provide essential insights for designing effective conservation and management plans in the Balearic Islands.

Abstract

Metabolites are small organic molecules produced during cellular metabolism, and while there are several thousands of them, we are only starting to learn about their importance in the marine environment. I will present how some of them, like the B vitamins, influence the ocean's carbon cycle and phytoplankton and bacterial diversity. I will also show how an untargeted analysis of metabolites in seawater could be used to discover the presence of hundreds of organic compounds, providing previously unknown metabolic information. I will present some of the metabolomics (targeted and untargeted) results obtained at the new Marine Biomolecules laboratory at the IMEDEA in samples collected during two Spanish cruises in the Atlantic Ocean.

Abstract

In situ beach monitoring is a costly and hazardous task, which can be improved using remote sensing. Specifically, X-band radar can measure the nearshore wave field and bathymetry, although virtually only pulsed systems have been used to this end. This seminar describes the application of a continuous-wave radar and the analysis pipeline developed by our group to measure the spatial cross-shore distribution of amplitude wave spectrum and bathymetry at a sandy beach.

Abstract

Globally, fishing has undergone significant transformations in recent decades, with further changes projected in response to social and environmental challenges. This study uses Q method analysis to explore the prioritization of various local and global management measures aimed at ensuring the future sustainability of fisheries within the Llevant de Mallorca – Cala Ratjada Marine Protected Area (MPA), a marine reserve located in the northeastern part of Mallorca Island. We identify and evaluate the primary discourses among key stakeholders, revealing three distinct perspectives encompassing different views on issues such as eliminating illegal practices, adapting European Union fisheries policies to local realities, increasing restrictions on trawling, promoting local consumption, and the significance of co-management. Furthermore, two points of consensus emerge across the discourses: (i) the necessity of decarbonizing the sector, and (ii) the importance of increasing public funding to support the employment of young fishers. However, both measures are perceived as low priorities. This study contributes to the literature by demonstrating how Q method can be applied to assess local and global priorities in the context of potential MPA evolution, offering valuable insights for the development of integrative priority assessments. It underscores the diversity of perspectives within small fishing communities and highlights the critical need for democratic governance structures to ensure this diversity is represented and accounted for in public policy development.

Abstract

From simple rule-based systems to cutting-edge large language models (LLM) like ChatGPT, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has made remarkable steps. This seminar will introduce the basic concepts of AI highlighting how machines learn to recognize patterns, make decisions, and generate text before exploring the quest for truly general intelligence. By looking to nature, where ecosystems balance cooperation, adaptation, and resilience, we gain fresh ideas for designing AI systems that are more efficient and flexible.

In parallel, we will see how AI can illuminate our understanding of the physics and biology of our planet. Through data analysis and predictive modeling, AI offers powerful tools for tracking species movement, identifying and predicting environmental changes, and guiding conservation efforts. By merging lessons from nature with the latest AI techniques, we can advance both technological innovation and marine research, ultimately leading the way toward a deeper understanding of intelligence both artificial and natural.

Abstract

Pollination is an essential process for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, as 87.5% of the flowering plants and one third of the human diet depend on it. However, this essential ecosystem service is severely threatened by pollinator losses, raising important challenges for biodiversity conservation and crop production. Among the many threats to wild pollinators today, land-use changes have been identified as one of the main causes of pollinator declines, and this effect is expected to be accentuated in the following decades as human population increases. I will present the studies conducted in my group to understand how landscape modifications related to land-use changes affect plant and pollinator communities, the structure of plant-pollinator interactions and the provision of pollination services to crops and wild plants. The results of these studies have important implications for the sustainability of anthropized landscapes and for the conservation of pollinators as a key ecosystem service.