My research area is botany, in particular plant community ecology and dynamics.
My present research activity is focused on the plant species and communities of Mediterranean temporary ponds. I am looking to characterize plant biodiversity, as well as to understand the spacio-temporal distribution and variation of ephemeral wetland plant communities applied to conservation and sustainable management.
In the past years I have been involved, with other researchers, in a long-term study on the anthropogenic effects on plant communities of open cork oak woodlands, namely in terms of plant diversity.
My current position is auxiliary professor at the Biology Department, Curator of the UEVH Herbarium in the University of Évora. I currently integrate the research team of ICAAM – Instituto de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais Mediterrânicas (Universidade de Évora), and I also collaborate with the teams of FitoSoluM - Grupo de Investigación Biodiversidad y Cambio Global (Universidad Complutense Madrid) and CBAA – Centro de Botânica Aplicada à Agricultura (ISA, Universidade Técnica de Lisboa). Presentely, I am associated of the Lab of Plant Sciences, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of California – Davis, and vice-president of Iberian & Macaronesian Herbarium Association (AHIM).
Selected publications:
Pinto-Cruz C., V. Silva, N.M. Pedroso & P. Canha, 2011. Charcos Temporários do Sul de Portugal. Universidade de Évora. ISBN 978-989-8550-00-2
Pinto-Cruz C., 2010. Temporary ponds vegetation and dynamics: SW Portugal. PhD dissertation in Biology. http://hdl.handle.net/10400.5/2862
Canha P. & C. Pinto-Cruz, 2010. Plano de Gestão de Charcos Temporários Mediterrânicos no Concelho de Odemira. Edição de Autor. ISBN 978-972-778-111-9
Lumbreras A., H. Tahiri, C. Pinto-Cruz, C. Pardo, J.A. Molina, 2012. Habitat variation in vernal pool ecosystems on both sides of the Strait of Gibraltar. Journal of Coastal Research 28: 1032-1039.
Pinto-Cruz C., A.M. Barbosa, J.A. Molina & M.D. Espírito-Santo, 2011. Temporary ponds in Mediterranean Ecosystems: biotic and abiotic factors that distinguish pond types. Ecological Indicators 11: 1658-1663.
Canteiro C., C. Pinto-Cruz, M.P. Simões & L. Gazarini, 2011. Conservation of Mediterranean oak woodlands: understorey dynamics under different shrub management. Agroforestry Systems 82: 161-171.
Pinto-Cruz C., J.A. Molina, M. Barbour, V. Silva & M.D. Espírito-Santo, 2009. Plant communities as a tool in temporary ponds conservation in SW Portugal. Hydrobiologia 634: 11–24.
Silva V., C. Pinto-Cruz & M.D. Espírito-Santo, 2009. Temporary ponds and hygrophilous grasslands plant communities in Monfurado site of community importance. Lazaroa 30: 79-86.
Molina J. A., H. Tahiri, E. Agostinelli, F.-E. El Alaoui-Faris, A. Lumbreras, C. Pardo, V. Silva, C. Pinto-Cruz, E. Castoldi & J.N. Campoamor, 2009. Contribución al conocimiento de la flora y vegetación de los humedales temporales del NO de Marruecos. Lazaroa 30: 257-266.
Silva V., J.A. Molina, J.C. Costa, C. Pinto-Cruz & M.D. Espírito-Santo, 2009. Nova associação de charcos temporários mediterrânicos do SW da Península Ibérica: Eryngio corniculati-Isoetetum setacei. Acta Bot. Malacitana 34: 1-6.
Silva, V., C. Pinto-Cruz, & M.D. Espírito-Santo, 2008. Pilularia minuta Durieu, nova localização para Portugal (Província Alto Alentejo). Acta Bot. Malacitana 33: 353-354.
Selected I&D ACTIVITIES:
Research projects coordination
2013 - ongoingLIFE Charcos, Conservação de Charcos Temporários na Costa Sudoeste de Portugal. Scientific coordination of LIFE12 NAT/PT/000997. LIFE+ - European Comission DG Environment.
2012 - ongoingAtlas da Vegetação Ripicola de Portugal Continental, Fundo EDP Biodiversidade 2012
