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I graduated in Biology and Natural Space Conservation in the University of Vigo (Spain) in 2005, followed by a Master's in Environmental Engineering in the University of Santiago de Compostela (USC, Spain) in 2007. I carried out my PhD in the ECOTOX-USC group since 2010 and obtained it in June 2014 (Cum Laude, International Mention and Extraordinary Doctorate Award). I focused on standardising the use of terrestrial mosses as biomonitors of air pollution worldwide. During this period I spent 3 months at the University of Trieste (Italy) learning about lichens to the same purpose. In my postdoc period I was awarded 5 competitive fellowships and completed 4 international stays: i) 2015 at the Universidad de Concepción (Chile) leading a 4-month project for biomonitoring air quality in urban areas; ii) 2016 with the ‘Juan de la Cierva- Formación' from the Ministry but I renounced in favour of postdoc grant Xunta Mod-A at the Ce3c (University of Lisbon, Portugal) to study biological soil crusts for using in ecological restoration and green roofs; iii) mid-2018, I returned to USC with Xunta Mod A-return phase and I checked the use biocrusts as CO2 sinks in Galician urban areas; iv) 2019, I obtained the postdoc Xunta Mod -B with an associated project ‘Use of trees as green filters for PAHs and heavy metals in urban environments’ until May 2022; v) 2022 at Tvärminne Zoological Station (University of Helsinki, Finland) during 3.5 months collaborating in RESIST project to test the resilience of macrophyte species to stress temperature pulses in Baltic sea (funded by AQUACOSM-plus project); and vi) this year I’ve received a grant from the IACOBUS programme for May-June’24 at LEPABE, in the University of Porto (Portugal), to assess the behaviour and distribution of airborne microplastics (MPs) from wildfires. Since December 2022 I am at ECOTOX-USC group with a María Zambrano contract from the “Ministry of Universities” developing a project on biomonitoring of marine pollution. All this experience has led me to become an expert in the biomonitoring of environmental pollution using a variety of bioindicators, such as bryophytes, lichens, birds of prey, trees and algae. This diverse background has allowed me to study how pollutants affect different ecosystems, contributing to a global understanding of environmental health. My work integrates field work, laboratory analysis and interdisciplinary approaches to monitor and assess the effects of pollutants, which are the first steps in helping to mitigate them. These are all reflected in the numerous peer-reviewed articles in top journals that I have authored (35 SCI), along with other publications such as preprints and datasets, garnering significant citation volume and recognition in the field. My research contributions include participation in international (6), national (6), and regional projects (2), as well as collaborations with private companies (3); and I’ve led 1 Chilean, 1 regional and 1 project with NGOs and private company. I’ve also presented more than 20 communications at both national and international conferences, and I co-organized 3 international conference. I have demonstrated leadership in research lines, international collaborations and in editing special issues in JCR journals, which demonstrates my commitment to the advancement of knowledge dissemination. As a trainer, I have co-directed numerous bachelor's (16) and master's theses (3), co-directed a doctoral thesis now close to completion, and served on thesis and final thesis and master's project evaluation committees. My lecturing includes extensive hours at Bachelor's and Master's level, culminating in my accreditation as Associate Professor by the Spanish National Agency for Quality Assessment.
Identification

Personal identification

Full name
Zulema Varela

Citation names

  • Varela, Z.

Author identifiers

Ciência ID
D11F-E346-99B2
ORCID iD
0000-0002-4751-7686
Google Scholar ID
https://scholar.google.es/citations?user=dqct2QEAAAAJ&hl=es
Researcher Id
A-4025-2017
Scopus Author Id
36774007600

Websites

Knowledge fields

  • Natural sciences - Biological Sciences - Ecology

Languages

Language Speaking Reading Writing Listening Peer-review
Spanish; Castilian (Mother tongue)
Galician (Mother tongue)
Portuguese Advanced (C1) Advanced (C1) Advanced (C1) Advanced (C1)
English Advanced (C1) Advanced (C1) Advanced (C1) Advanced (C1)
Italian Intermediate (B1) Upper intermediate (B2) Intermediate (B1) Upper intermediate (B2)
Education
Degree Classification
2010/10/01 - 2014/06/20
Concluded
Advances in air quality biomonitoring with the terrestrial moss Pseudoscleropodium purum (Doctor)
Universidade de Santiago de Compostela Facultade de Bioloxía, Spain
Cum Laude
2005/09 - 2007/11
Concluded
Environmental Engineering (Master)
Universidade de Santiago de Compostela Escola Técnica Superior de Enxeñaría, Spain
1999/10/01 - 2005/11/30
Concluded
Biology and conservation of natural areas (Bachelor)
Universidade de Vigo, Spain
"Harmonisation of the moss technique: selection of the size of the sampling area" (THESIS/DISSERTATION)
Affiliation

Science

Category
Host institution
Employer
2022/12/01 - Current Postdoc (Research) Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Spain
2024/05/01 - 2024/06/30 Visiting Researcher (Research) Agrupación Europea de Cooperación Territorial Galicia-Norte de Portugal, Spain
Universidade do Porto Faculdade de Engenharia, Portugal
2022/11/01 - 2022/11 Auxiliary Researcher (Research) Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Spain
2022/06/01 - 2022/09/15 Visiting Researcher (Research) Helsingin yliopisto, Finland
2019/11/15 - 2022/05/15 Postdoc (Research) Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Spain
2018/06/01 - 2019/06 Postdoc (Research) Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Spain
2016/06/30 - 2018/06 Postdoc (Research) Universidade de Lisboa Centro de Ecologia Evolução e Alterações Ambientais, Portugal
2015/05/01 - 2015/07/31 Visiting Researcher (Research) Universidad de Concepción, Chile
2014/01/15 - 2015/03/15 Auxiliary Researcher (Research) Biovía environmental consultant, Spain
2013/10/01 - 2013/12 Visiting Researcher (Research) Università degli Studi di Trieste, Italy
2012/05/01 - 2013/05/01 Research Trainee (Research) Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Spain
2011/03/01 - 2011/06/30 Research Trainee (Research) Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Spain

Others

Category
Host institution
Employer
2016/04/04 - 2016/05/15 Environmental impact technician ELA INGENIERÍA Y MEDIOAMBIENTE SL, Spain
2015/08/14 - 2015/08/25 Environmental Education Monitor MAREXADA SL, Spain
2010/05/01 - 2010/06/13 Environmental Education Monitor Insulae SL., Spain
Projects

Grant

Designation Funders
2019/11/15 - 2022/05/14 Use of trees as green filters for heavy metals and hydrocarbons in urban environments
Principal investigator
Universidade de Santiago de Compostela Centro de Investigación Interdisciplinar en Tecnoloxías Ambientais, Spain
Xunta de Galicia Consellería de Cultura Educacion e Ordenación Universitaria
Concluded
2015/04/01 - 2015/07 Biomonitoring of air quality
AirQuality2015
Principal investigator
Universidad de Concepción, Chile
Universidad de Concepción
Concluded

Contract

Designation Funders
2019/01/01 - 2019/12/31 Centro de Ecologia, Evolução e Alterações Ambientais
UID/BIA/00329/2019
UIDB/00329/2020
UIDP/00329/2020
Fundação da Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal

Fundação Gaspar Frutuoso, Portugal

FCiênciasID Associação para a Investigação e Desenvolvimento de Ciências, Portugal

Universidade de Lisboa Centro de Ecologia Evolução e Alterações Ambientais, Portugal

Universidade de Lisboa Faculdade de Ciências, Portugal

Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade de Psicologia e de Ciências da Educação, Portugal
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Concluded
2016/07/01 - 2018/06/30 MeMedMossRoofs: Urban green covers based on mosses with no irrigation requirements under Mediterranean climate
Researcher
Universidade de Lisboa Centro de Ecologia Evolução e Alterações Ambientais, Portugal
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Concluded
2012/04/01 - 2015/03/15 Creating and testing a method for controlling the air quality based on a new biotechnological tool. Use of a devitalized moss clone as passive contaminant sensor.
PhD Student Fellow
Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Spain
2011/03/01 - 2011/06/30 Selection of Indicators, Determination of Reference Values, Design of Programs and Protocols of Methods and Measures for Environmental Studies in Marine Aquaculture
PNCM/IND/08
Technical development
Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Spain
Ministerio de Ganadería Agricultura y Pesca

Other

Designation Funders
2024/09/01 - 2027/08/31 New tools to unravel the algal turfs success in replacing degraded kelp forest: a metabarcoding approach (METATURF)
Researcher
España Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación
Ongoing
2024/12/01 - 2026/11 In-VisiblePollut: presence of polluting waste in the "Areeiras de Sandiás" (special bird protection area)
Principal investigator
Sociedad Española de Ornitología, Spain

ECOEMBES, Spain
ECOEMBES

ECOLOGISTAS EN ACCIÓN

AMIGAS DAS CEGOÑAS
Ongoing
2023/12/01 - 2025/12/01 PlasticStork: Presence of plastics in nests of the white stork (Ciconia ciconia)
Principal investigator
Spanish Ornithological Society (SEO)

ECOEMBES

ECOLOGISTAS EN ACCIÓN

AMIGAS DAS CEGOÑAS
Ongoing
2023/09/01 - 2025/09/01 METAP- Manipulative Experiments: Trees, Arthropods, Predators
Researcher
Grantová agentura Ceské republiky
2021 - 2024 Quantifying spatio-temporal long-term changes in pelagic food web kinetics and structure (QLOCKS)
PID2020-115620RB-100
Working group
Instituto Español de Oceanografía Centro Oceanográfico de A Coruña, Spain
España Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación
Concluded
2020/01/01 - 2023/12/31 Scaling the effects of niche and ecological interactions on species coexistence (SCENIC).
Working group
España Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación
Concluded
2020/01/01 - 2023/01/30 Consolidation in structuring competitive research units-ECOTOX
GRC (2020-PG006)
Researcher
Universidade de Santiago de Compostela Centro de Investigación Interdisciplinar en Tecnoloxías Ambientais, Spain
Concluded
2022/06/01 - 2022/09/15 Resilience of macrophyte species to stress temperature pulses (RESIST)
Researcher
Helsingin yliopisto, Finland
EU-funded AQUACOSM-plus.
2021 - 2022 Treebodyguards
Researcher
Agence nationale de la recherche
2019/09/01 - 2020/08/31 Soil Skin: A citizen science programme to assess the vulnerability of the soil ecosystem to global change
Researcher
Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain

Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, Spain

Universidade de Santiago de Compostela Centro de Investigación Interdisciplinar en Tecnoloxías Ambientais, Spain

Universidad de Cádiz, Spain

Universitat de València, Spain
España Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación
Concluded
2018/01/01 - 2018/12/31 Standardization and optimization of the use of bryophytes for passive and active biomonitoring of inland water quality. Elaboration of protocols
CTM2016-70578-P
Researcher
Universidade de Santiago de Compostela Centro de Investigación Interdisciplinar en Tecnoloxías Ambientais, Spain
España Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación
Concluded
2012/06/17 - 2015/03/15 Consolidation in structuring competitive research units 2012-ECOTOX
GRC (2012-PG019)
PhD Student Fellow
Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Spain

Biovía environmental consultant, Spain
Xunta de Galicia Consellería de Cultura Educacion e Ordenación Universitaria
Concluded
2014/01/01 - 2014/12/31 Ecotoxicological biomonitoring of two high-generation thermal power plants
Norcontrol2014
Researcher
Biovía environmental consultant, Spain

Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Spain
APPLUS NORCONTROL
Concluded
2012/01/01 - 2014/12/31 Active biomonitoring of air quality with terrestrial mosses: standardisation and optimisation of the methodology
CTM2011-30305
Working group
Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Spain
España Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación
Concluded
2012/06/13 - 2012/12/31 Biomotorization of fluorine around ALCOA-EUROPE (S. Ciprián, Galicia,Spain)
Fluo2012-ALCOA
Technical development
Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Spain
ALCOA-EUROPE
Concluded
Outputs

Publications

Conference poster
  1. Cruz de Carvalho, Ricardo; Varela, Zulema; do Paço, Teresa Afonso; Branquinho, Cristina. "Method for selection of potential moss species for green roofs in the Mediterranean Basin". Paper presented in 5th cE3c Annual Meeting – Frontiers in E3, 2019.
  2. Boquete, MT; Aboal, JR; Branquinho, Cristina; Calleja, J; Chilà, A; Cronberg, N; Cruz de Carvalho, Ricardo; et al. "Size does matter: morphology, sexual expression and sex ratios in Pseudoscleropodium purum across Europe". Paper presented in 1st Meeting of the Iberian Ecological Society - SIBECOL 2019, 2019.
  3. Varela, Zulema; Lobo Dias, S.; Monteiro, Juliana; Branquinho, Cristina. "Shifts in the bryophyte community of the Atlantic coastal dunes of the Iberian Peninsula.". Paper presented in Trabalho apresentado em 1st Meeting of the Iberian Ecological Society & XIV AEET Meeting Iberian Ecological Society (Sibecol), Barcelona, Espanha., 2019, 2019.
  4. Varela, Zulema; Lobo Dias, S.; Branquinho, Cristina. "C. campylopus introflexus colonization in the Atlantic secondary dunes of the Iberian Peninsula.". Paper presented in Meeting of IAB (International Association of Bryologists), iMOSS (International Molecular Moss Science Society) and SEB (Sociedade española de Briología), Madrid, Espanha.., 2019.
  5. Varela, Zulema; Branquinho, Cristina; Cruz de Carvalho, Ricardo. "Suitable vegetation cover for Mediterranean green roofs under climate change effects". Paper presented in 3rd CAPERMED Meeting, 2018.
Journal article
  1. Sofia Augusto; Zulema Varela; Marzieh Moeenfard; José Avelino Silva; Sara Ramos; Francisco Cereceda-Balic; Ximena Fadic; Marius Matache; Nuno Ratola. "Preliminary vegetation-based evaluation of semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) using pine species: Towards pollution data comparability". Environmental Pollution (2025): https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2025.126011.
    10.1016/j.envpol.2025.126011
  2. Elena Valdes Correcher; Yasmine Kadiri; Audrey Bourdin; Anna Mrazova; Flavius Balacenoiu; Manuela Branco; Michal Bogdziewicz; et al. "Effects of climate on leaf phenolics, insect herbivory, and their relationship in pedunculate oak (Quercus robur) across its geographic range in Europe". Oecologia (2025): http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00442-025-05696-2.
    10.1007/s00442-025-05696-2
  3. Gillis, Lucy G.; Román, Salvador; Gustafsson, Camilla; Kauppi, Laura; de los Santos, Carmen B.; Varela, Zulema; Viana, Inés G.. "The role of lag phases between real-term marine heatwaves in the trait responses of two macrophyte species". Marine Environmental Research 204 (2025): 106894. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106894.
    10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106894
  4. André F. Mira; Joaquín Hortal; Ana Paula Portela; Belén Albertos; Belén Estébanez; Cristina Branquinho; Cristiana Vieira; et al. "eBryoSoil: a citizen science application to monitor changes in soil ecosystems". Scientific Reports (2024): http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-74464-8.
    10.1038/s41598-024-74464-8
  5. Alejandro Vidal-Abad; Miguel A. Casal; José Manuel Rey-Aguiño; Alejandra Pichel-González; Andrea Solana-Muñoz; Verónica Poza-Nogueiras; Zulema Varela; et al. "Case report of plastic nurdles pollution in Galicia (NW Atlantic) following the Toconao's spill in December 2023: The VIEIRA Collaborative". Marine Pollution Bulletin (2024): http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116442.
    10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116442
  6. Pablo Giráldez; Zulema Varela; Antonio Di Guardo; Elisa Terzaghi; Maria Celeiro; Carmen Garcia-Jares; J. Ángel Fernández; Jesús R. Aboal. "Relationship between foliar polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) concentrations and plant traits: Intracanopy variability for a broadleaf species in an urban environment". Science of The Total Environment (2024): http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173698.
    10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173698
  7. Emanuele Quaranta; Ciril Arkar; Cristina Branquinho; Elena Cristiano; Ricardo Cruz de Carvalho; Michal Dohnal; Ilaria Gnecco; et al. "A daily time-step hydrological-energy-biomass model to estimate green roof performances across Europe to support planning and policies". Urban Forestry & Urban Greening (2024): http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2024.128211.
    10.1016/j.ufug.2024.128211
  8. Laura SCHILLE; Elena Valdes Correcher; Frédéric Archaux; Flavius Balacenoiu; Mona Chor Bjørn; Michal Bogdziewicz; Thomas Boivin; et al. "Decomposing drivers in avian insectivory: Large-scale effects of climate, habitat and bird diversity". Journal of Biogeography (2024): http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jbi.14808.
    10.1111/jbi.14808
  9. Zulema Varela Río; Jonatan Rodríguez Parra; Teresa Boquete Seoane. "Desafíos de la mediterraneización para la preservación de la diversidad de briófitos en ríos ibéricos". Ecosistemas (2024): https://doi.org/10.7818/ECOS.2632.
    10.7818/ECOS.2632
  10. Zulema Varela; Javier Martínez-Abaigar; Rafael Tomás-Las-Heras; José Ángel Fernández; María-Ángeles Del-Castillo-Alonso; Encarnación Núñez-Olivera. "Tree Physiological Variables as a Proxy of Heavy Metal and Platinum Group Elements Pollution in Urban Areas". Biology (2023): https://doi.org/10.3390/biology12091180.
    10.3390/biology12091180
  11. Z. Varela; M.T. Boquete; J.A. Fernández; J. Martínez-Abaigar; E. Núñez-Olivera; J.R. Aboal. "Mythbusters: Unravelling the pollutant uptake processes in mosses for air quality biomonitoring". Ecological Indicators 148 (2023): 110095-110095. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2023.110095.
    10.1016/j.ecolind.2023.110095
  12. Zulema Varela; Carme Pacín Salvador; RITA GARCÍA SEOANE; J. Ángel Fernández. "Global decrease in heavy metal concentrations in brown algae in the last 90 years". Journal of Hazardous Materials (2023): 130511-130511. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.130511.
    10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.130511
  13. Zulema Varela. "Suitability of aquatic mosses for biomonitoring micro/meso plastics in freshwater ecosystems". Environmental Sciences Europe 34 1 (2022): http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12302-022-00653-9.
    10.1186/s12302-022-00653-9
  14. Boquete, María Teresa; Varela, Zulema; Fernández, José Angel; Calleja, Juan Antonio; Branquinho, Cristina; Chilà, Antonina; Cronberg, Nils; et al. Corresponding author: Boquete, María Teresa. "Current and historical factors drive variation of reproductive traits in unisexual mosses in Europe: A case study". Journal of Systematics and Evolution 61 1 (2022): 213-226. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jse.12897.
    10.1111/jse.12897
  15. López-Pedrouso, María; Lorenzo, José M.; Varela, Zulema; Fernández, J. Ángel; Franco, Daniel. Corresponding author: Franco, Daniel. "Finding Biomarkers in Antioxidant Molecular Mechanisms for Ensuring Food Safety of Bivalves Threatened by Marine Pollution". Antioxidants 11 2 (2022): 369. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/antiox11020369.
    10.3390/antiox11020369
  16. Giráldez, Pablo; Varela, Zulema; Aboal, Jesús R.; Fernández, J. Ángel. Corresponding author: Giráldez, Pablo. "Testing different methods of estimating edaphic inputs in moss biomonitoring". Science of The Total Environment 778 (2021): 146332. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.146332.
    10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.146332
  17. Varela, Zulema; Real, Carlos; Branquinho, Cristina; do Paço, Teresa Afonso; Cruz de Carvalho, Ricardo. "Optimising Artificial Moss Growth for Environmental Studies in the Mediterranean Area". (2021): http://hdl.handle.net/10451/50592.
    10.3390/plants10112523
  18. López-Pedrouso, M.; Varela, Zulema; Franco, D.; Fernández, J.A.; Aboal, J.R.. Corresponding author: López-Pedrouso, M.. "Can proteomics contribute to biomonitoring of aquatic pollution? A critical review". Environmental Pollution 267 (2020): 115473. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115473.
    10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115473
  19. Silvana Munzi; Zulema Varela; Luca Paoli. "Is the length of the drying period critical for photosynthesis reactivation in lichen and moss components of biological soil crusts?". Journal of Arid Environments 166 (2019): 86-90. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaridenv.2019.04.019.
    10.1016/j.jaridenv.2019.04.019
  20. Ricardo Cruz de Carvalho; Zulema Varela; Teresa Afonso do Paço; Cristina Branquinho. "Selecting Potential Moss Species for Green Roofs in the Mediterranean Basin". Urban Science 3 2 (2019): 57-57. https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci3020057.
    10.3390/urbansci3020057
  21. Debén S.; J.R. Aboal; P. Giráldez; Zulema Varela; J. Ángel Fernández. "Developing a Biotechnological Tool for Monitoring Water Quality: In vitro Clone Culture of the Aquatic Moss Fontinalis Antipyretica". Water (2019): http://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/11/1/145.
    10.3390/w11010145
  22. R. García-Seoane; J.A. Fernández; Z. Varela; C. Real; M.T. Boquete; J.R. Aboal. "Sampling optimization for biomonitoring metal contamination with marine macroalgae". Environmental Pollution 255 (2019): 113349-113349. https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.envpol.2019.113349.
    10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113349
  23. Varela, Zulema; Debén, Sofía; Saxena, Dinesh K.; Aboal, Jesús R.; Fernández, J. Ángel. Corresponding author: Varela, Zulema. "Levels of Antioxidant Compound Glutathione in Moss from Industrial Areas". Atmosphere 9 7 (2018): 284. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/atmos9070284.
    10.3390/atmos9070284
  24. Varela, Z.; López-Sánchez, G.; Yáñez, M.; Pérez, C.; Fernández, J.A.; Matos, P.; Branquinho, C.; Aboal, J.R.. "Changes in epiphytic lichen diversity are associated with air particulate matter levels: The case study of urban areas in Chile". Ecological Indicators 91 (2018): 307-314. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-85045298354&partnerID=MN8TOARS.
    10.1016/j.ecolind.2018.04.023
  25. Varela, Z.; Aranda, S.C.; Estébanez Pérez, B.; Medina, N.G.; Boquete, M.T.. "The use of cryptogams as an ecological tool for nitrogen deposition biomonitoring in the Iberian Peninsula,Empleo de criptógamas como herramienta ecológica de biomonitorización del depósito de nitrógeno en la península ibérica". Ecosistemas 26 1 (2017): 45-54. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-85019142872&partnerID=MN8TOARS.
    10.7818/ECOS.2017.26-1.07
  26. Z. Varela; R. García-Seoane; J.A. Fernández; A. Carballeira; J.R. Aboal. "Study of temporal trends in mercury concentrations in the primary flight feathers of Strix aluco". Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 130 (2016): 199-206. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2016.04.006.
    10.1016/j.ecoenv.2016.04.006
  27. F. Capozzi; S. Giordano; J.R. Aboal; P. Adamo; R. Bargagli; T. Boquete; A. Di Palma; et al. "Best options for the exposure of traditional and innovative moss bags: A systematic evaluation in three European countries". Environmental Pollution 214 (2016): 362-373. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2016.04.043.
    10.1016/j.envpol.2016.04.043
  28. Z. Varela; R. García-Seoane; M. Arróniz-Crespo; A. Carballeira; J.A. Fernández; J.R. Aboal. "Evaluation of the use of moss transplants (Pseudoscleropodium purum) for biomonitoring different forms of air pollutant nitrogen compounds". Environmental Pollution 213 (2016): 841-849. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2016.03.056.
    10.1016/j.envpol.2016.03.056
  29. Di Palma, A.; Crespo Pardo, D.; Spagnuolo, V.; Adamo, P.; Bargagli, R.; Cafasso, D.; Capozzi, F.; et al. "Molecular and chemical characterization of a Sphagnum palustre clone: Key steps towards a standardized and sustainable moss bag technique". Ecological Indicators 71 (2016): 388-397. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84979208009&partnerID=MN8TOARS.
    10.1016/j.ecolind.2016.06.044
  30. Varela, Z.; Fernández, J.A.; Real, C.; Carballeira, A.; Aboal, J.R.. "Influence of the physicochemical characteristics of pollutants on their uptake in moss". Atmospheric Environment 102 (2015): 130-135. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84914162469&partnerID=MN8TOARS.
    10.1016/j.atmosenv.2014.11.061
  31. Ares, A.; Varela, Z.; Aboal, J.R.; Carballeira, A.; Fernández, J.A.. "Active biomonitoring with the moss Pseudoscleropodium purum: Comparison between different types of transplants and bulk deposition". Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 120 (2015): 74-79. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84930933170&partnerID=MN8TOARS.
    10.1016/j.ecoenv.2015.05.033
  32. Varela, Z.; Aboal, J.R.; Carballeira, A.; Real, C.; Fernández, J.A.. "Use of a moss biomonitoring method to compile emission inventories for small-scale industries". Journal of Hazardous Materials 275 (2014): 72-78. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84900874202&partnerID=MN8TOARS.
    10.1016/j.jhazmat.2014.04.061
  33. Varela, Z.; Roiloa, S.R.; Fernández, J.A.; Retuerto, R.; Carballeira, A.; Aboal, J.R.. "Physiological and Growth Responses of Transplants of the Moss Pseudoscleropodium purum to Atmospheric Pollutants". Water, Air, and Soil Pollution 224 10 (2013): http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84893049432&partnerID=MN8TOARS.
    10.1007/s11270-013-1753-4
  34. Varela, Z.; Carballeira, A.; Fernández, J.A.; Aboal, J.R.. "On the use of epigaeic mosses to biomonitor atmospheric deposition of nitrogen". Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 64 4 (2013): 562-572. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84877818252&partnerID=MN8TOARS.
    10.1007/s00244-012-9866-0
  35. Varela, Z.; Aboal, J.R.; Rey-Asensio, A.; Carballeira, A.; Fernández, J.A.. "Establishing reference values of spectral reflectance indices in transplants of pseudoscleropodium purum for potential use in atmospheric biomonitoring". Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 91 3 (2013): 345-348. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84883171979&partnerID=MN8TOARS.
    10.1007/s00128-013-1049-9
  36. Varela, Z.; Fernández, J.A.; Aboal, J.R.; Real, C.; Carballeira, A.. "Determination of the optimal size of area to be sampled by use of the moss biomonitoring technique". Journal of Atmospheric Chemistry 65 1 (2010): 37-48. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-79952484328&partnerID=MN8TOARS.
    10.1007/s10874-010-9180-z
Magazine article
  1. Rita García Seoane; Varela, Zulema; Alejo Carballeira; Jesús R. Aboal; J. Ángel Fernández. Corresponding author: Rita García Seoane. "Temporal trends in mercury concentrations in raptor flight feathers stored in an environmental specimen bank in Galicia (NW Spain) between 2000 and 2013", Ecotoxicology, 2017, https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10646-016-1754-3.
    10.1007/s10646-016-1754-3
Preprint
  1. Z. Varela; S. Chozas; S. Lobo Dias; P. Giráldez; J. Monteiro; C. Branquinho; J. Hortal. "Aridity and coexistence with vascular plants determine the dynamics of coastal dune bryophyte communities". 2024. https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.10.29.620786.
    10.1101/2024.10.29.620786
  2. Alejandro Vidal-Abad; Miguel A. Casal; José Manuel Rey-Aguiño; Alejandra Pichel-González; Andrea Solana Muñoz; Verónica Poza-Nogueiras; Zulema Varela; et al. "Case Report of Plastic Nurdle Pollution in Galicia (Nw Atlantic) Following the Toconao's Spill in December 2023: The Vieira Collaborative". 2024. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4778914.
    10.2139/ssrn.4778914
  3. Laura SCHILLE; Elena Valdes Correcher; Frédéric Archaux; Flavius Balacenoiu; Mona Chor Bjørn; Michal Bogdziewicz; Thomas Boivin; et al. "Latitudinal gradient in avian insectivory: complementary effects of climate, habitat and bird diversity". 2023. http://dx.doi.org/10.1101/2023.01.19.524212.
    10.1101/2023.01.19.524212

Other

Dataset
  1. André F. Mira; Joaquín Hortal; Jesús R. Aboal; Belén Albertos; Pilar H. Aragüés; Cristina Branquinho; Isabel Draper; et al. Biological soil covers: data on lichen, bryophyte and algae coverage in soils gathered by SoilSkin citizen science program using eBryoSoil app for smartphones.
    10.5281/ZENODO.4456773
  2. Mira, F. André; Hortal, Joaquín; Aboal, Jesús R.; Albertos, Belén; Aragüés, Pilar H; Branquinho, Cristina; Draper, Isabel; et al. Biological soil covers: Data on lichen, bryophyte and algae coverage in soils gathered by SoilSkin citizen science program using eBryoSoil app for smartphones (Version 0.1.0). https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4456773. 2021.
    10.5281/zenodo.4456773
Activities

Oral presentation

Presentation title Event name
Host (Event location)
2024/11/06 Possible influence of forest fires on Hg levels in soil and pine needles 2nd meeting of the International Association for Biomonitoring of Environmental Pollution.
Universidade de Lisboa (Lisboa, Portugal)
2024/11/05 Plastic debris in nests of white stork Ciconia ciconia population: characterisation and analysis of associated factors 2nd meeting of the International Association for Biomonitoring of Environmental Pollution.
Universidade de Lisboa (Lisboa, Portugal)
2023/10/11 Mossphere: a new biotechnological passive sampler for environmental air quality management First conference of International Assocciation for Biomonitoring of Environmental Pollution. Trieste (Italy) 11-13 October 2023.
International Assocciation for Biomonitoring of Environmental Pollution; University of Trieste (Trieste, Italy)
2022/06/07 Bioaccumulation, characterisation and biomagnification of microplastics at different intertidal levels ASLO, Aquatic Science Meeting 2023-Resilience and Recovery in Aquatic Systems. Mallorca (Spain), 4-9 June 2023.
Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography (Mallorca, Spain)
2017/07/24 How do bryophytes functional diversity respond to forest logging: a chronosequence approach? XXI Cryptogamic Botany Symposium, Aranjuez (Spain), 20-27 July 2017.
Universidad de Aranjuez (Aranjuez, Spain)
2013/06/26 Effects of air pollutants on the physiology and growth of transplants of the moss Pseudoscleropodium purum IX Cryptogamic Botany Symposium
Universidad de las Palmas de Gran Canaria (La Palma de Gran Canaria, Spain)
2012/12/16 Compositional analysis of pollution sources by means of terrestrial moss Pseudoscleropodium purum 6th International Workshop on Biomonitoring of Atmospheric Pollution
Middle East Technical University (Turkey); BIOMAP (Izmir, Turkey)

Supervision

Thesis Title
Role
Degree Subject (Type)
Institution / Organization
2018 - 2025/01 PAHs in trees from urban environments: estimation of total accumulated load, intra-individual variability and temporal variability
Co-supervisor
Doctoral Thesis (PhD)
Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Spain

Event organisation

Event name
Type of event (Role)
Institution / Organization
2022/10 - Current Organiser of "Jornadas Cultura Laboral en Investigación-CLI" conference on working culture in research for Spanish researchers (2023/11/07 - 2023/11/08)
Seminar (Co-organisor)
InvestiGal-Rede Galega pola Investigación, Spain

Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Spain

Coordinadora Marea Roja de la Investigación, Spain
2022/10 - Current Organiser of "Jornadas Cultura Laboral en Investigación-CLI" conference on working culture in research for Spanish researchers (2024/10/16 - 2024/10/17)
Seminar (Co-organisor)
InvestiGal-Rede Galega pola Investigación, Spain

Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Spain

Coordinadora Marea Roja de la Investigación, Spain
2020/02/11 - Current Organizer of theatre play and panel discussion for the "The International Day of Women and Girls in Science 11th of February” at the Faculty of Biology of USC (2020)
Festival (Member of the Organising Committee)
Universidade de Santiago de Compostela Facultade de Bioloxía, Spain
2024/11/04 - 2024/11/06 Organiser of IABEP 2024 - Unveiling Nature's Signals | second meeting of the International Association for Biomonitoring of Environmental Pollution, (Lisbon 4-6 Nov 2024) (2023/10)
Congress (Member of the Organising Committee)
Universidade de Lisboa Centro de Ecologia Evolução e Alterações Ambientais, Portugal

Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Spain

Universidade do Porto Faculdade de Engenharia, Portugal
2024/03 - 2024/03 Co-organizer of the I Forum of Galician Research Abroad (FIGaE) in collaboration with GAIN-Xunta de Galicia, to be held in Brussels (Belgium) (2024/03)
Congress (Co-organisor)
Axencia Galega de Innovación, Spain

InvestiGal-Rede Galega pola Investigación, Spain
2022/12 - 2022/12 Organiser of "Jornadas Cultura Laboral en Investigación-CLI" conference on working culture in research for Spanish researchers (2022/12/13 - 2022/12/14)
Seminar (Co-organisor)
InvestiGal-Rede Galega pola Investigación, Spain

Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Spain

Coordinadora Marea Roja de la Investigación, Spain

Event participation

Activity description
Type of event
Event name
Institution / Organization
2024/06 - Current Webinar: Precariousness in the public research system in Spain
Round table
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCarhtlbnjw
Instituto de Ciencias de Materiales de Madrid-CSIC, Spain
2024/05/16 - Current Webinar: Associationism and research career in the context of the new LOSU. #YoSigoUGR platform managed by Vicerrectorado de Investigación y Transferencia, Escuela Internacional de Posgrado, Universidad de Granada.
Round table
https://yosigopublicando.ugr.es/courses/asociacionismo-y-carrera-investigadora-en-el-contexto-de-la-nueva-losu/
Universidad de Granada, Spain

Instituto de Ciencias de Materiales de Madrid-CSIC, Spain
2024/03 - Current Speaker at ‘La Voz de la Mujer STEM’ organised by La Voz de Galicia and VIAQUA in high schools in Galicia, as part of the activities of the Day of Women and Girls in Science.
Conference
What do you do for a living? I am a pollution detective!
La Voz de Galicia, Spain
2023/06/15 - Current Participant in Podcast on research from Colectivo Burbuja titled 'Research: what is at stake' https://www.colectivoburbuja.org/cb/investigacion-lo-que-nos-jugamos-debate-directo/
Colectivo Burburja, Spain
2022/01/14 - Current Speaker at ‘A LUZ DA CIENCIA: Pensamento Científico e Xénero’ Conference of the Provincial Council of A Coruña (Spain) to analyse the gender perspective in science.
Conference
Science, Research and Gender: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUrCUwromlc&t=1586s&ab_channel=Deputaci%C3%B3nProvincialACoru%C3%B1a
Deputación da Coruña, Spain
2021/02/11 - Current International Day of Women and Girls in Science 11th of February. SoilSkin project team
Other
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcfjKsaac7Y&ab_channel=lapielvivadelsuelo
Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, Spain
2023/03/01 - 2024/11/30 A Ponte: The USC teaching staff offers to give talks on topics related to their teaching and/or research field, aimed at students in Bachillerato and Higher Vocational Training or students in Compulsory Secondary Education. I gave 6 talks
Conference
Programa A Ponte (The Bridge Programme)
Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Spain
2024/09/27 - 2024/09/27 European Researchers' Night participant: GNight
Exhibition
European night of researchers in galicia, creative sciences
Universidade de Santiago de Compostela Centro de Investigación Interdisciplinar en Tecnoloxías Ambientais, Spain
2024/07/21 - 2024/07/27 POSTER PRESENTATION: Lichen diversity, citizen science and biomonitoring or how to help botanical dissemination
Congress
XX International Botanical Congress, Madrid (Spain) 21-27 July 2024.
Spanish Botanical Society, Spain
2023/09/29 - 2023/09/29 European Researchers' Night participant: GNight
Exhibition
European night of researchers in galicia, creative sciences
Universidade de Santiago de Compostela Centro de Investigación Interdisciplinar en Tecnoloxías Ambientais, Spain
2021/10 - 2021/11 Participant in the "Autumn Edition of Somos Científicos y Científicas, ¡sácanos de aquí!" of the Fundación Española para la Ciencia y la Tecnología (FECYT) where 47 researchers from all over Spain chatted with high school students about our research and science in general.
Workshop
https://otono21.somoscientificos.es/profile/zulemavarelario/
Fundación Española para la Ciencia y la Tecnología, Spain
2021/10/05 - 2021/10/05 Spokesperson in the Committee of the Science, Innovation and Universities of the Spanish Congress of Deputies
Other
https://www.congreso.es/es/web/guest/indice-de-iniciativas?p_p_id=iniciativas&p_p_lifecycle=0&p_p_state=normal&p_p_mode=view&_iniciativas_mode=mostrarDetalle&_iniciativas_legislatura=XIV&_iniciativas_id=219%2F000608
Congreso de los Diputados, Spain

Jury of academic degree

Topic
Role
Candidate name (Type of degree)
Institution / Organization
2022/07/01 Secretary in the final examining board of the Master's theses on Terrestrial Biodiversity in the academic years 2022-2023 and 2023-2024. Aberto Muñoz López; Alejandro López Souto; Irene López Rodríguez; Óscar Rubén Hernández Carrillo (Master)
Universidade de Santiago de Compostela Facultade de Bioloxía, Spain
2015/03 I have acted as secretary on the jury of 1 PhD thesis Inés Viana González (PhD)
Universidade de Santiago de Compostela Facultade de Bioloxía, Spain

Association member

Society Organization name Role
2023/10/12 - Current International Association for Biomonitoring of Environmental Pollution Member and co-founder
2023 - Current International Association for Lichenology Member
2019/09/01 - Current British Ecological Society Member
2015 - Current AEET-Asociación Española de Ecología Terrestre/ Spanish Association of Terrestrial Ecology
2013/03/01 - Current SEB-Sociedad española de briología, Spanish Society of Bryology Member

Conference scientific committee

Conference name Conference host
2024/11/06 - 2025/07/30 XXIV Simposio Internacional de Botánica Criptogámica (XXIV International Symposium on Cryptogamic Botany) Spanish and Portuguese Societies of Bryology, Phycology, Lichenology, Mycology and Pteridology, etc...
2024/03/07 - 2024/03/08 I Forum of Galician Research Abroad (FIGaE) in collaboration with GAIN- Xunta de Galicia, to be held in Brussels 7-8 March (Belgium) Axencia Galega de Innovación; Embajada de España en Bélgica

Course / Discipline taught

Academic session Degree Subject (Type) Institution / Organization
2024/07/29 - 2024/08/02 Summer Course: CourEcol 2024: Biodiversity sampling and analysis methods in Terrestrial Ecology To teach ecological sampling methods for degree, master and PhD students (Bachelor) Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Spain
2022 - 2024 49 hours of teaching in the USC Master in Terrestrial Biodiversity: Characterisation, Conservation and Management Geographic Information Systems (Master) Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Spain

Universidade de Vigo, Spain

Universidade da Coruña, Spain
2018 - 2024 358 hours of teaching in the USC Biology degree programm Ecology; Characterisation of the Physical Environment (Bachelor) Universidade de Santiago de Compostela Facultade de Bioloxía, Spain

Interview (newspaper / magazine)

Activity description Newspaper / Forum
2024/10/29 Interview on the situation of research careers in Galicia and Spain La Voz de Galicia
2024/01/09 Interview on the impact of pellets dumped by the Toconao on Galician beaches El Faro de Vigo
2021/10/06 Interview on the situation of research careers in Galicia and the brain drain El Faro de Vigo

Interview (tv / radio show)

Program Topic
2024/06/02 - Current Spoken on the radio "Cadena SER" behalf of the College of Biologists (COBGA) Impact of plastics in the oceans
2024/10/30 - 2024/10/30 Participation in section about ecology on the programme ‘A carta’ of Galician radio Radio interview for the project I'm directing about plastics and storks "PlasticStork"

Mentoring / Tutoring

Topic Student name
2021 - 2024 Master's dissertation Iria González Farré
2015 - 2024 Directed end-of-degree dissertations in Biology at the USC Ana Fernández Díaz
Distinctions

Award

2014 PhD award
Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Spain