Jaime Fagúndez

I am a botanist and plant ecologist based on the University of A Coruña, Spain. I am a senior professor with over 20 years of experience, and currently coordinate the master degree on terrestrial biodiversity at UDC since it was launched in 2018.

I am an active researcher leading a team of several postdocs and PhD students. I have published over 60 scientific papers, including 42 in indexed journals. I have led six competitive projects, three in the last five years including two LIFE+ EU funded projects with an overall budget over 5M€. I also work for the EU as a H2020 project monitor.

My main research line explores natural habitats and species conservation in relation to human management and land use. I have worked on different topics such as transhumance and mountain pastures, hay meadows, riverside forests, Atlantic heathlands, and arable weed communities. I investigate the effect of human intervention on ecosystems, such as the study case of invasive alien species.

My current project, awarded by the national body Fundación Biodiversidad with 1.8M€, is called RURALtXA!. It started in September 2022, and links biodiversity and natural habitat quality with different management and grazing regimes, applied to sustainability and land use. The main aim is to support traditional practices that preserve and improve natural habitats and produce healthy products and ecosystem services for all.