Itziar Burgués Martínez

PhD Student

Centre d'Estudis Avançats de Blanes-CEAB
C/ d'accés a la Cala St. Francesc, 14
17300 Blanes, Girona, Catalonia, Spain
Tel: (34) 972 893288 (direct)
e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

RESEARCH INTERESTS

I am currently a PhD student studying ecosystem functioning and trophic interactions, unraveling the sponges' role in the Western Mediterranean at the Marine Biochemistry and Global Change research group, doing research both at Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM) and Centre d'Estudis Avançats de Blanes (CEAB).

It is hypothesized that sponges can convert dissolved organic matter, released by benthic primary producers, into particulate detritus, contributing to the functioning of complex trophic webs in oligotrophic habitats, such as the Mediterranean sea. As part of my thesis, I am studying the detritus production processes and their seasonality through experiments in aquaria, in situ experiments, and seasonal monitoring campaigns. The project in which this thesis is framed aims to a better understanding of the functioning of these habitats, deepening into the study of the possible causes and consequences of biodiversity loss and, therefore, identify appropriate management strategies to mitigate the effects of climate change.