Dr Martin Baruffol

I am responsible to estimate species diversity and functional diversity in high altitude ecosystems in high mountain ecosystems of the neotropics. I am also responsible for measuring functional traits related to water interception and water retention capacity. I am an ecologist working with experience in biodiversity-ecosystem functioning in forests. Within the PARAGUAS project, we expect to understand how different land use management states affect vegetation composition and diversity and how these changes would affect the capacity of vegetation to regulate the water cycle. Our results aim to provide stakeholders with technical information, which enriches the debates regarding land use management practices and regulations.

• PhD, Environmental Sciences, University of Zurich, Switzerland, 2014
• MSc, Landscape Architecture and Management, Wageningen UR, Netherlands
• BSc, Ecology, Pontifical Xavierian University, Colombia

PARAGUAS (How do Paramo capture and store water? The role of plants and people)