Since 1986 we have been developing at the University of Valencia several researches on:
- Lichens : Biodiversity and Biogeography. Conservation Biology
- Lichen photobionts: physiology, genomics and proteomics of Trebouxia sp. pl.
- Ecophysiology: Lichens, trees and agricultural crops
- Bioindication of Air Pollution and Environmental Conditions. Lichens. Trees. Agricultural crops and mycorrhizae
- Cork and its bioindication Quality: radial growth and density. Characterization. Lichens and types of trees.
It includes aspects of basic and applied research oriented study functional genomic, proteomic, and ultrastructural and ecophysiological photosynthetic processes in the context of plant responses to different types of environmental stress and/or phylogenetic relationships. The aspects of Bioindication are performed under field conditions (biomonitoring networks) and controlled in laboratory conditions.
Group of Plant Biodiversity and Ecophysiology develops this research and maintains close scientific collaboration with: Botanical Garden, Anatomy Lab: Reig-Armiñana J; Plant Physiology Group "Respuestas de las plantas a condiciones de estrés" (Plant responses to stress conditions) UAH: Campo EM. Del, Casano LM, Esteban Carrasco A, Guéra A, Zapata JM; UPV agro-ecosystems , García- Breijo F; URJC - Conservation and Biodiversity: M Català , Missouri University- USDA: Plant Genetics Research Unit, M Oliver, USA ; UNAM Biology Institute, MA Herrera-Campos, Mexico. It also maintains close scientific collaboration with other European and American researchers.
Our aims are:
- To develop a basic research in plant diversity (morphological and genetic) and ecophysiology of quality comparable to high-ranking journals in which we publish our specialties.
- To investigate the most relevant functional and genomic aspects of lichenized algae, Trebouxia sp. pl., and axenic cultures and their adaptations to different environmental stresses and mechanisms of symbiosis.
- To provide solid scientific evidence for managers and administrators in biomonitoring of contaminated areas, agricultural crops responses, characterization of plant materials for industrial purposes and the conservation and management of natural areas.
- To collaborate with public and private entities in the management and sustainable use of plant resources.
