We study the interactions between plants, soil and erosion, with a particular interest in the role of vegetation in the control of soil water erosion as well as the role of erosion as a selection force on vegetation and its morphological and functional traits. In the context of global change, we study the influence of the interaction of different drivers of change (such as aridity, erosion, land use intensity,...) on the degradation and recovery trajectories of "dryland" ecosystems (such as holm oak forests, shrublands, badlands,...) and on the possible occurrence of abrupt changes in the functional state of soil and vegetation. We apply our knowledge to the ecological restoration of both natural and artificial ecosystems (e.g. road infrastructure slopes, mine quarries,...). We develop this line of research through NP and GVA projects, as well as the training of master and doctoral students.

Esther Bochet (Researcher, CSIC)

Patricio García-Fayos (Scientific Ressearcher, CSIC)

María José Molina (Tenured Researcher, CSIC)