Generalitat de Cataluña

(Madrid, 1943)

Professor of Ecology, Department of Plant Biology and Ecology, University of Seville, Spain.

fgnovo@us.es





Professor Francisco Garcia Novo is the Chair in Ecology in the University of Seville, Spain. He obtained his BSc and Doctor of Science degree from the University of Madrid (Complutense) in 1966 and 1968, respectively. He followed more specialized studies in the Institute of Soil Science CSIC in Madrid (1996-98) and in St. AndrewsUniversity in the UK (1968-1970).

Prior to his present post he has held the following posts (among others):

• Lecturer at St Andrews University (1968-1970)
• Assistant and Associate Professor, University of Seville (1970-1976)
• Professor of Ecology, University of Santiago de Compostela (1976)
• Professor and Chair of Ecology, University of Seville (1977-2005)
• Vice Dean, Department Head, University of Seville (1977-2005)
• Director of a Master's Degree in Environmental Science and a special course on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), University of Seville (1992-2005)

Research Activities:

• Ecological studies of the vegetation in diverse bioclimatic conditions: Atlantic climates (UK), Mediterranean (Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Italy), semi-arid (Patagonia), continental (USA) and tropical (Mexico, Costa Rica).
• Development of methods and models to study the vertical plant structures, composition, regulation, biodiversity and the distribution of biomass and productivity, plus the relationships with the horizontal structure, soil characteristics and response to climate fluctuations.
• Studies on the biodiversity of the Mediterranean region and the effects of different effects caused by human activities, past and present.
• Preparation of a report on the management of European biodiversity Users' Guide to biodiversity indicators (March 2005), in collaboration with experts from other Academies of Science and the Royal Society of the European Academies' Science Advisory Council (EASAC).
• Studies on the processes of succession brought about by climatic fluctuations and human activities (deforestation, Studies on fish ecology in continental waters in the Iberian Peninsula, introduction and extinction of species.
• Numerous floristic, vegetation & edaphic studies in the DoñanaNational Park, [(Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage (Natural)] site. Also conservation, management and regional studies. The whole has resulted in 62 papers and a book synthesizing all such findings.
• Studies in other protected areas concerning human activities and transformation of terrestrial ecosystems therein.

Training and Collaborative Research

• In universities and other institutions in the USA, UK, Portugal, Italy, Argentina, Chile and Costa Rica, having also collaborated in local research projects.
• Director of 25 doctoral theses in Spain and Portugal and 2 in Italy
• Creation of the 'Prince Albert 1 of Monaco' Aquatic Ecology Station in the Cartuja Island of Seville, focussing on research in continental waters of which he is Scientific Director.
• Participation in the launching of the Andalusian Plan of Research on Natural Resources, of the Autonomous Government of Andalusia (1995-1998)
• External evaluation of Universities of Gerona, Barcelona (Autonomous) in Spain, Evora in Portugal, FLACAM in Argentina, Temuco in Chile and the Programme on Centres of Excellence in Norway.

Selected Professional Activities

• Development of models on EIA in highways, large dams, power stations and nuclear power stations..
• Restoration of littoral, dune (Tarifa) and marsh (Algaida) zones.
• Hydrological regeneration of the DoñanaNational Park as member of Scientific Committee, and EIA studies in Aznalcóllar following mine spillage in 1998.
• Comparative studies of historical transformations of forests and shrub land in calcareous mountainous areas in Andalusia in the Sª de las Nieves and Grazalema Biosphere Reserves and the AlcornocalesNational Park. As well as in the Moroccan Rif region.
• Studies on effects of human activities in Tierra del Fuego, Patagonia and Corrientes in Argentina; Tortuguero N.P. in Costa Rica; coastal lagoons in Mexico, New Mexico (USA), Scotland, Corsica (France), S. Italy and Crete (Greece), and Central and Southern Portugal.
• Studies concerning modifications due to human activities of littoral dunes in Spain, Portugal, France, UK, Mexico and Costa Rica.
• Studies on visitors' behaviour and attitudes in National Parks, and elaboration of Environmental Education materials in protected areas.
• Development of Programme on the Environment and EIA (MAIA) in the University of Seville (1992-2005), and launched courses in Spain, Portugal, Italy and Argentina on Environmental Management, Ecology of Conservation.
• Organization of Congresses, Symposia, Seminars and Workshops on all of the previously enumerated fields of action.
• Member of MAB National Committee of Spain and SCOPE National Committee. Also in Expert Commission concerning Doñana Scientific Committee for 2005.

Publications

• Over 240 in all: 11 books or monographs, 45 chapters of books, 74 scientific articles in journals, 24 teaching publications and 31 for the general public. Eleven papers and 2 books in preparation.

Honours and distinctions

• Fellow and President Biology Section. Royal Acad. of Sci., Seville
• Academician. Royal Acad. Basic, Physical an Nat. Sci., Madrid
• Academician. Acad. Social Sci. and Environment, Anadalusia.
• President of the Environment Commission. High Consultative Council, Valencia Autonomous Government.
• Member of the Executive Board, Athenaeum of Seville.
• International Commissioner, Conservation Area of Tortuguero National Park, Costa Rica.