Lurdes da Conceição Borges Silva
Post-Doc Researcher
Academic background:
2018 - Pdh in Biology , University of the Azores (Portugal)
2012 - MSc in Plants Biodiversity and Biotechnology, University of the Azores (Portugal)
2007 - BSc in Biotecnology Engeneering, Bragança Politechnical Institute (Portugal)
Research interests:
I am currently a researcher of the project FOREST ECO2 - Towards an Ecological and Economic valorization of the Azorean Forest, which allowed me to broaden my view of the forest research related questions, since I am now performing samples on three types of forests (i.e., natural, production, exotic). Moreover, I am now using my previously acquired skills in the determination of carbon stocks, but also focusing on new topics, such as forest soil, potential use of forest in tourism and recreation, interaction with stakeholders (e.g., private companies, NGOs, forest services, producer’s associations) and addressing more integrated subjects such as forest strategy and policy. While regional in nature, this project engaged me in a wider understanding of international forestry issues that would come in handy for any global approach.
My major contributions to forest research in the recent years include (i) managing widespread woody plant invaders, namely through the use of biomass valorization ,within a research team at the University of the Açores (InBIO) and a private company devoted to renewable energies, NaturalReason (was part of my PhD project), and (ii) the participation in a broader project comparing the ecological and economic services provided by different types of forests (i.e., natural, production, exotic).