Rafael Marques

I am a biologist working at the intersection of nature conservation, biodiversity monitoring, botany, and ecosystem management and restoration, with a strong emphasis on promoting sustainable landscapes and strengthening the link between science, territory, and society.

I hold a BSc in Biology and an MSc in Applied Ecology from the University of Aveiro. I am currently a PhD student in Biodiversity, Genetics and Evolution at the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto, under the FCT Doctoral Programme Doutor AP.

My PhD focuses on ecological restoration in the Vouga Basin, integrating oak woodlands, riparian forests, and wetland ecosystems. I combine fieldwork, ecological modelling, and climate monitoring to map vegetation, assess sensitive habitats, implement restoration actions, and evaluate ecosystem services. The project aims to enhance ecosystem resilience, support biodiversity, and inform climate adaptation strategies.

I am co-founder of the BioLiving association, where I contribute to nature conservation, environmental education, and European projects. I am also part of the coordination team of the Lusitanica project, which focuses on community-based micro-reserve management in the municipality of Estarreja.

Professionally, I worked as a scientific officer at the Municipality of Lousada (2018–2022), where I was involved in the management of natural areas, ecological restoration, and the creation of the Sousa Superior Protected Landscape and the Municipal Network of Micro-Reserves. I also coordinated the Plantar Lousada project. I am currently a technical officer at the Municipality of Estarreja, working in the Environment and Sustainability Department.