Unraveling the role of animal-mediated seed dispersal on post-fire ecosystem recovery

Objective

This project aims to quantify the contribution of animal-mediated seed dispersal to post-fire ecosystem recovery, delivering evidence-based strategies to strengthen forest resilience across Europe. I will achieve this by linking macroecological patterns to local mechanisms through the implementation of cutting-edge tools in network analysis, trait-based ecology, and temporal and spatially-explicit modelling. Hosted by the University of Coimbra (Portugal) under the supervision of Prof. Ruben Heleno, a leading expert in community ecology and seed dispersal, and with a secondment at CIDE-CSIC (Spain) under Prof. Juli Pausas, a world authority in fire ecology, I will receive advanced training that complements my expertise in species-specific interactions and spatial ecology. This interdisciplinary environment will allow me to expand traditionally plant-centred fire ecology with an interaction-focused perspective, fostering new research synergies and strengthening an international network of collaborators. Findings will be transferred to scientists, policymakers, and society through high-impact publications, international conferences, policy briefs, and tailored outreach initiatives, from press releases to public talks and visual storytelling. By addressing a critical yet overlooked driver of post-fire regeneration, SeedFire will not only fill a major knowledge gap but also provide me with a diverse, competitive skill-set to secure a permanent position in ecology in the near future, directly aligned with translating ecological knowledge into effective, nature-based solutions for fire-resilient landscapes in Europe.