Summary
Earth’s ecosystems are undergoing rapid and dramatic changes due to human-induced pressures. In this unprecedented crisis, humanity plays a dual role—both as the driver of ecological collapse and as a key actor in potential solutions. Various restoration strategies have been proposed, from passive habitat protection to the reintroduction of extirpated species. But can we go further? Can we engineer ecosystems? In this lecture, I will present our synthetic terraformation strategy—an approach that leverages theoretical and experimental ecology, along with molecular biology, to engineer microorganisms from endangered ecosystems to sustain broader ecological functions. We have explored this concept across diverse contexts, from the plastisphere to drylands. I will outline our proposals, share key findings, and discuss the lessons learned from this ongoing research.
Brief biography
I am a postdoctoral researcher at the Station d’Écologie Théorique et Expérimentale (CNRS), collaborating with Jose M. Montoya in the BIOcean5D project, where I investigate the intricate relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem function in marine ecosystems. My work adapts theoretical frameworks from terrestrial systems, integrating insights from previous studies and project data to explore community structure, multiscale feedbacks, complexity, emergent dynamics, spatial heterogeneity, and neutral theory in marine contexts. Previously, I was a postdoctoral researcher in the Evolution of Networks Lab with Sergi Valverde for the MPA4sustainability Biodiversa+ project, where we uncovered the role of hypergraphs and cultural evolution in marine conservation. Before that, at the Nonlinear Dynamics and Evolution Lab (NoDE) at the Centre de Recerca Matemàtica (CRM), I deepened my understanding of ecological tipping points and the transient dynamics surrounding them. In early 2022, I completed my PhD thesis, Terraforming Earth's Ecosystems: Engineering Resilience to Anthropogenic Tipping Points, at the Complex Systems Lab (CSL) of Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), under the supervision of Ricard Solé, Josep Sardanyés, and Núria Conde. My thesis combined ecology, complexity science, synthetic biology, dynamical systems, and mathematical modeling to design, model, and test engineered organisms that enhance ecosystem stability and prevent anthropogenic tipping points. This interdisciplinary approach provided deeper insights into ecosystem resilience and sustainability strategies using biological agents. But the question remains: can we transform our planet into a healthier one?