Isa Pais

I am a Conservation Biologist and Anthropologist with particular focus on the dynamics of socio-ecological systems. During my PhD in Biological Anthropology (Cardiff University, UK, and CRIA-NOVA FCSH) I integrated molecular and social methodologies to gain insights into red colobus, chimpanzee and human botanical resource co-use in multi-species landscapes in west Africa. Identifying urgency to safeguard biodiversity, livelihoods, socioeconomic activities and social resilience, lead to post-doc ethnographic research with the shepherd community in Montesinho Natural Park, northeast Portugal. Objectives were to understand how ancient practices are being adapted to strengthen climate change resilience. At BIOPOLIS-CIBIO, I work under the LAFERIA project to identify drivers and challenges for landscape feature conservation and reintroduction in intensive agricultural farmland in the Alqueva region, Alentejo, Portugal.