CRETUS STAFF

Andrés Baselga Fraga

Associate Professor
Department: Zoology, Genetics and Physical Anthropology (Zoology Area)
Centre: Faculty of Biology
Research Group: BiBiCI, Biodiversity, Biogeography and Integrative Conservation
Phone: +34 8818 13278
Email: andres.baselga@usc.es
Group Web:Biodiversity, Biogeography and Integrative Conservation

   
   

From an initial interest on natural history, particularly beetles, I started my research career with a PhD on leaf beetle taxonomy (Chrysomelidae). Rooted in that knowledge on the astonishing diversity of beetle communities, I expanded my research interests to biogeography and macroecology. My major contribution is the development of novel methods to assess the changes in composition of biological communities (beta diversity). As an indication of the profound impact of these contributions on the field, the seminal paper of this research line (Baselga 2010 Global Ecol. Biogeogr.) accumulates >2600 citations (Web of Science). Another major contribution is a predictive framework to investigate the relative contribution of dispersal limitation and ecological niche on biological communities, through the assessment of beta diversity at multiple hierarchical levels, from genetic variants, to intraspecific clades and species (Baselga et al 2013 Nature Comm.; Baselga et al 2015 Global Ecol. Biogeogr.; Baselga et al 2022 Ecography)

Research Lines

• Methods for the assessment of biological diversity: How to measure biological diversity and the dissimilarity between biological communities?
• Biogeography and macroecology: How is biological diversity distributed on the planet and why?
• Species distribution models and global change: Can we predict biodiversity responses to global change?
• Coleoptera taxonomy: Why are there so many beetle species, what do they look like?