Running waters are perhaps the most human-impacted ecosystems on the planet, leading to altered stream water quality and quantity. In addition, these ecosystems are also exposed to the climate change. Therefore, aquatic communities are exposed to a multiple stressors scenario. My overall research goal is to develop a solid theoretical and applied framework to assess, and to prevent that stress on natural aquatic communities. Therefore, my research has been focusing at two topics:

 

 

a) Ecological studies aiming at modelling impacts of human activities at the ecosystem level. I have been working on the ecological assessment of water quality-related problems in rivers and reservoirs (Water Framework Directive, atmospheric forcing of biological events, impact of invasive species, production of geosmine). These works resulted in both basic knowledge, and ecological-friendly practices to manage water quality.

 

b) Ecotoxicological studies aiming at understanding the effect of the pollutants at population and community level. I have been working on the effects of chemical (atrazine, copper, cadmium, nutrients, nanomaterials, pH) and physical (light, UVR) stressors on freshwater algae and micro-invertebrates. These studies have been carried out at different levels of biological complexity, from pure cultures to natural communities, using also communities developed in microcosms and extensive field surveys.