Pedro Gomes

I hold a BSc in Biology and a PhD in Ecology, and I am currently Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Minho, where I teach Ecology, Zoology and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). I am also a researcher at the Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology (CBMA). Throughout my career, I have progressively shifted my research from terrestrial ecology to coastal and marine ecology, while maintaining a strong focus on biodiversity conservation, ecological monitoring and stakeholder engagement. I also serve as Director of the Doctoral Programme in Marine Science, Technology and Management, fostering national and international collaborations in marine biology.

My research focuses on the ecology and conservation of coastal and marine ecosystems, with a particular emphasis on vulnerable marine habitats and species in the mesophotic (twilight) zone. I develop and apply standardised monitoring approaches using marine macroinvertebrates as indicators of long-term ecosystem change, while also investigating biodiversity patterns, habitat classification, species–habitat relationships and ecological modelling. I am particularly interested in translating scientific knowledge into conservation and management actions through close collaboration with fishers, stakeholders and the wider public.

marine ecology, mesophotic ecosystems, marine biodiversity, ecological monitoring, habitat modelling