F. Xavier Sans Serra

Biography

F. Xavier Sans Serra is a professor from Department of Botany at University of Barcelona. His topic of interest is Agroecology, plant biodiversity, organic farming, plant invasions

Research Interest

The intensification of agricultural activities is one of the main causes of erosion of biodiversity. Changes in landscape structure and agricultural practices affect the conservation of the biodiversity of agro-systems and the maintenance of certain ecological functions such as, among others, the protection of crops. For this reason, knowledge of the importance of management and the landscape context is essential to develop management methods that reduce the environmental pressure associated with agricultural activities and promote ecosystem functions. The invasion of exotic species is one of the most important causes of alteration in biodiversity, at the same time that it can cause direct economic loss through decreasing productivity of crops, causing changes in the structure of communities and influencing evolution of the native species. The main objective of this line of research is to study the factors that affect the invasive capacity of exotic plants. We have chosen as a model of study the genus Senecio , represented in Catalonia by several native species and two South African invaders ( S. pterophorus , S. inaequidens ) since they are species that tend to invade disturbed environments such as crops and the associated habitats.