Island Biology Interest Group

Márcia C. M. Coelho is conducting a Ph.D. in Biology by the University of Azores starting in 2012 within the Island Biodiversity, Biogeography and Conservation research group (IBBC) of cE3c. She is conducting the project “Bryophytes from native vegetation areas facing climate change: Ecophysiological diversity and resilience”, under the supervision of Doctoral Rosalina Gabriel  from Azorean Biodiversity Group, University of Azores and Doctoral Claudine Ah-Peng from Pôle de Protection des Plantes, Université de La Réunion. Márcia C. M. Coelho Ph.D. project aims are: to survey the bryophytes present in native vegetation, along an altitudinal gradient (0 m – 2350 m) in Pico Island, examining three different substrata (trees, rocks and soil); to quantify ecosystem services performed by bryophytes in native vegetation, regarding: water holding ability; and carbon sink ability; to characterize the responses of bryophytes to increased environmental stresses as: desiccation; higher radiation; and higher temperature.