Joana Maria Alves Cardoso Ferreira de Freitas (F61F-9A79-AB53)

Curriculum Vitae

Joana Maria Alves Cardoso Ferreira de Freitas

I completed my Bachelor's degree in Biology in 2017 and my Master's degree in Biodiversity, Genetics, and Evolution in 2019, both from the Faculty of Sciences at the University of Porto. My Master's degree research was primarily centered on studying the ecological interactions between the endangered Iberian wolf (Canis lupus signatus) and the endangered native mountain pony breed, the Garrano (Equus ferus spp.). Currently, as a PhD candidate, I am engaged in a project that aims to evaluate the ecosystem services and disservices associated with the endangered Garrano pony. The objective of my research is to quantify the ecological and sociocultural benefits of the free-ranging Garranos, thereby gaining insights into the potential ecological, sociocultural, and economic values of free-ranging livestock breeds for communities. My main focus as a researcher is to explore conflicts between local human communities and predators, by improving management practices of free-ranging livestock breeds, redefine subsidiary or compensatory mechanisms associated to livestock depredation by wolves and preserve the traditional free-ranging system.

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Identification

Personal identification

Full name: Joana Maria Alves Cardoso Ferreira de Freitas
Date of birth: 1996/05/22
Gender: Female

Author identifiers

Ciência ID: F61F-9A79-AB53
ORCID iD: 0009-0007-6049-0194
Google Scholar ID: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=9QmWNTgAAAAJ&hl=pt-PT

Email addresses

joanafreitas@cibio.up.pt (Professional)

Websites

https://www.linkedin.com/in/joana-freitas-67432b174/ (Social media)
https://cibio.up.pt/en/people/details/joana-freitas/ (Professional)
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Joana-Freitas-2 (Social media)
https://www.instagram.com/garranos_in_the_wild/ (Social media)

Knowledge fields

Natural sciences - Biological Sciences - Ecology
Exact Sciences - Computer and Information Sciences - Bioinformatics
Natural sciences - Biological Sciences - Biodiversity Conservation

Languages

Language	Speaking	Reading	Writing	Listening
Portuguese (Mother tongue)
English	Upper intermediate (B2)	Advanced (C1)	Upper intermediate (B2)	Advanced (C1)
French	Beginner (A1)	Beginner (A1)	Beginner (A1)	Elementary (A2)
Spanish; Castilian	Beginner (A1)	Elementary (A2)	Beginner (A1)	Intermediate (B1)

Education

	Degree	Classification
2022/09/01 - 2026/09/01 Ongoing	Biodiversity, Genetics and Evolution (Doutoramento) Universidade do Porto Faculdade de Ciências, Portugal Universidade do Porto Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Portugal Associação BIOPOLIS - Rede de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Biologia Evolutiva, Portugal "Assessing ecosystem services and disservices provided by free-ranging livestock breeds: the case of the endangered Garrano pony" (THESIS/DISSERTATION)
2017/10 - 2019/12/03 Concluded	Biodiversity, Genetics and Evolution (Mestrado) Universidade do Porto Faculdade de Ciências, Portugal Universidade do Porto Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Portugal "Patterns and Behavioral Determinants Related to Wolf Predation on Free-Ranging Horses" (THESIS/DISSERTATION)	18
2014/10 - 2017/06/12 Concluded	Biology (Licenciatura) Universidade do Porto Faculdade de Ciências, Portugal "Spatial and Temporal Segregation between Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) and Eurasian Badger (Meles meles), in presence of Iberian Lynx (Lynx pardinus) in southern Portugal." (THESIS/DISSERTATION)	14

Outputs

Publications

Conference paper	Freitas, Joana; Abrantes, Jéssica; Casimiro, Joana; Godinho, Raquel; Álvares, Francisco. Corresponding author: Álvares, Francisco. "Interações cavalo-predador: contextos ecológicos, constrangimentos humanos e avanços metodológicos". Paper presented in I Congresso de Equinologia e Turismo Equestre, Viana do Castelo, 2021. Submitted
Journal article	Freitas, Joana; Godinho, Raquel; Mendonça, Renata; Nakamura, Mónia; Rio-Maior, Helena; Ringhofer, Monamie; Yamamoto, Shinya; Hirata, Satoshi; Álvares, Francisco. "Patterns of wolf predation in free-roaming Iberian horses". (2022): Under revision Freitas, Joana; Álvares, Francisco. "Economic Impact of Wolf Predation on Free-ranging Horses in Portugal". Carnivore Damage Prevention News 23 (2021): 37-47. https://www.protectiondestroupeaux.ch/fileadmin/doc/International/CDP_and_General_Infos/CDPNews23_Automn2021.pdf. Open access • Published Freitas, Joana; Laura Lagos; Álvares, Francisco. "Horses as Prey of Wolves: Worldwide Patterns and Management Implications". Carnivore Damage Prevention News 23 (2021): 1-11. https://www.protectiondestroupeaux.ch/fileadmin/doc/International/CDP_and_General_Infos/CDPNews23_Automn2021.pdf. Open access • Published
Newspaper article	Freitas, Joana. "De esquecido a renascido: a história da sobrevivência do garrano", PÚBLICO, 2024
Online resource	Freitas, Joana. A garrana Arnica. 2024. https://omny.fm/shows/diario-cientista/a-garrana-arnica.
Thesis / Dissertation	"Patterns and Behavioral Determinants Related to Wolf Predation on Free-Ranging Horses". Master, Universidade do Porto Faculdade de Ciências, 2019. https://hdl.handle.net/10216/125778.

Activities

Oral presentation

	Presentation title	Event name Host (Event location)
2024/11/25	Horses on the menu: Patterns and drivers for free-ranging horse consumption by Iberian wolves	23º Encontro Nacional de Ecologia Sociedade Portuguesa de Ecologia (SPECO) (Porto, Portugal)
2020/02/14	Patterns related to wolf predation on free-ranging horses: implications for damage prevention.	Meeting of Young Researchers of University of Porto (Porto, Portugal)

Event organisation

	Event name Type of event (Role)	Institution / Organization
2024/05/27 - 2024/05/29	Participated in the organizing committee of the BIODIV Annual Student Meeting 2024, held at CIBIO – Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, and the Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto. The BIODIV Annual Meeting brings together all BIODIV students from Lisbon and Porto for three days of intense scientific and social events. It promotes the exchange of scientific ideas, allowing colleagues to present and discuss their work while fostering connections between all BIODIV students. (2024/05/27 - 2024/05/29) Meeting (Member of the Organising Committee)	Universidade do Porto Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Portugal Universidade do Porto Departamento de Biologia, Portugal

Event participation

	Activity description Type of event	Event name Institution / Organization
2024/06/28 - 2024/06/28	The workshop "Garrano: uma estratégia comum" focused on preventing the risk of disappearance of the garrano, the last semi-wild horses in Europe, along with the irreversible loss of associated environmental (genetic and ecosystem) and cultural heritage, by promoting their functional and heritage value. Workshop	Garrano: uma estratégia comum Câmara Municipal de Viana do Castelo, Portugal
2022/12/05 - 2022/12/07	The aim of the conference was to discuss recent trends in the study of the evolutionary and functional significance of colour in nature integrating knowledge from biologists working on multiple aspects of colouration. Conference	TiBE 2022 - the biology of colour Universidade do Porto, Portugal Associação BIOPOLIS - Rede de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Biologia Evolutiva, Portugal Universidade do Porto Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Portugal Université de Montpellier, France
2022/11/08 - 2022/11/09	The conference presented the main results of the LIFE in Common Land project, as well as the key achievements and lessons learned. In addition, national and international experts shared their experiences within other projects or conservation activities. Congress	LIFE IN COMMON LAND Final Congress Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Spain Universidade da Coruña, Spain Xunta de Galicia, Spain
2022/10/22 - 2022/10/23	The Jornadas de Gestão e Conservação de Galerias Ripícolas are an integral part of the training program of the Rural Laboratory, and bring together in Paredes de Coura a group of speakers with extensive experience in this topic who, over two days, will address it in its most diverse aspects. Conference	Jornadas de Gestão e Conservação de Galerias Ripícolas APTRAN - Associação Portuguesa de Tracção Animal, Portugal
2022/09/22 - 2022/09/22	First symposium on rewilding in Portugal, promoted by Rewilding Portugal in partnership with Cascais Ambiente. Symposium	Simpósio de Rewilding Rewilding Portugal, Portugal
2021/12/09 - 2021/12/09	This Webinar, organized by Grupo Lobo, Rewilding Portugal, ANP \| WWF and Terra Maronesa, presented several experiences in the implementation of different models and strategies to compensate for the damage caused by large predators, in particular the wolf, in several European countries, such as Norway, Italy or Spain. Seminar	Livestock Damage Compensation Schemes and their Contribution to Carnivore Conservation Grupo Lobo, Portugal
2021/07/01 - 2021/07/03	This conference presented equestrian tourism as crucial opportunity for qualification and differentiation of the tourism offer in Alto Minho, focusing on the articulation and exploitation of synergies between equestrian tourism and other strategic tourism products on a regional scale; the creation of an inter-municipal network of signposted and interpreted equestrian routes between the Serra de Arga and the Lima valley; and promotion of tourist appreciation of the Garrano as an autochthonous species and its natural habitat. Conference	I Congresso de Equinologia e Turismo Equestre Câmara Municipal de Viana do Castelo, Portugal
2019/12/04 - 2019/12/06	This conference presented several research projects targeting the biodiversity, ecology and evolution in Mediterranean ecosystems. Conference	TIBE 2019 - Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution in Mediterranean ecosystems. Universidade do Porto Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Portugal
2019/12/04 - 2019/12/04	This conference targeted the restoration of biodiversity and ecosystem services in Peneda Gerês National Park, as well as the Peneda Gerês Pilot's Plan that aimed to prevent forest fires and recover the natural habitats of the park. Conference	Natural Habitats Restoration in Peneda Gerês National Park Universidade do Porto Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Portugal Instituto da Conservação da Natureza e das Florestas, Portugal
2019/06/30 - 2019/07/26	Monitor in the activities of the Junior University Accommodation Program, Porto, Portugal. Other	Universidade Júnior Pontes de Apoio, Portugal
2019/04/29 - 2019/04/29	National Geographic Summit, Porto, Portugal Conference	National Geographic Summit National Geographic Society, United States
2019/04/23 - 2019/04/24	This conference unpacked the challenges and opportunities that are attracting partners from all Lusophone countries, and those from the wider global community, to research, resolve and to implement actions that address issues threatening the biosphere and ultimately, human wellbeing. Conference	GRAND CHALLENGES FOR BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY - THE SOUTHERN AFRICA EXPERIENCE Fundação Serralves, Portugal Universidade do Porto Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Portugal
2019/04/01 - 2019/04/07	Participation as a volunteer in the dynamization of games about biodiversity for children and young people. BIOBLITZ is a leading scientific and pedagogical event that aims to promote sustainability education through scientific based communication about the biodiversity of Serralves Park. Schools, families and the general public are invited to take part in a diversified and entertaining programme to discover the fauna and flora of Serralves Park. Other	BIOBLITZ 2019 Fundação Serralves, Portugal Universidade do Porto Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Portugal
2017 - 2019	Participation in different ringing sessions in Reserva Ornitológica de Mindelo, Portugal Other	Rede de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Biologia Evolutiva, Portugal Sociedade Portuguesa para o Estudo das Aves, Portugal
2018/11/16 - 2018/11/16	Seminário II Percursos do Homem e do Garrano, in Lanheses, Viana do Castelo, Portugal. Seminar	Seminário II Percursos do Homem e do Garrano Câmara Municipal de Viana do Castelo, Portugal
2018/10/02 - 2018/10/07	Fieldwork carried out in Northwestern Portugal within the scope of MSc in Biodiversity, Genetics and Evolution. Main functions: collection of Iberian wolf scats and tracking a collared wolf, by GPS telemetry, to find feeding sites (kill or scavenging events). Other	Universidade do Porto Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Portugal
2018/07/01 - 2018/07/28	Monitor in the activities of the Junior University Accommodation Program, Porto, Portugal. Other	Universidade Júnior Vértico Unipessoal Lda, Portugal Universidade do Porto, Portugal
2018/04/11 - 2018/04/12	National Geographic Summit, Lisbon, Portugal Conference	National Geographic Summit National Geographic Society, United States
2017/07/14 - 2017/07/27	Research assistant in a scientific expedition in Cusuco National Park, San Pedro Sula, Honduras. Other	Operation Wallacea Honduras 2017 Operation Wallacea, United Kingdom
2017/07/14 - 2017/07/17	Jungle Skills Training Course on Tropical Forest, Cusuco National Park, San Pedro Sula, Honduras Other	Operation Wallacea, United Kingdom
2016/08/15 - 2017/05/31	Fieldwork carried out in Mértola, Portugal, totalling 30 days of work. Main functions: camera-trap installation and collection in the field and GPS tracking using wildlife radio telemetry for Iberian lynx. Other	Universidade do Porto Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Portugal
2017/04/07 - 2017/04/11	XX Encontro Nacional de Estudantes de Biologia, Aveiro, Portugal: participation in different talks in the Biology field and in the workshop: À descoberta da flora e fauna da Serra da Freita, Arouca, Portugal. Meeting	XX Encontro Nacional de Estudantes de Biologia Universidade de Aveiro, Portugal
2016/05/30 - 2016/05/30	Workshop de Aplicações de GPS para a Recolha de Dados, Porto, Portugal Workshop	Workshop de Aplicações de GPS para a Recolha de Dados Universidade do Porto Faculdade de Ciências, Portugal APH - Associação Portuguesa de Herpetologia, Portugal
2016/05/11 - 2016/05/11	Workshop Identificação de Anfíbios, Reserva Ornitológica de Mindelo, Vila do Conde, Portugal Workshop	Workshop Identificação de Anfíbios Universidade do Porto Faculdade de Ciências, Portugal APH - Associação Portuguesa de Herpetologia, Portugal
2016/03/11 - 2016/03/11	Seminar "Conserving large-carnivores in a crowded Europe", by IUCN/SSC Specialist Group Seminar	Annual Meeting of the Large Carnivore Initiative for Europe Universidade do Porto Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Portugal

Committee member

	Activity description Role	Institution / Organization
2024/02 - Current	As a member of the BIODIV Student Committee, my responsability is to assess the functioning of the BIODIV doctoral programme, identifying critical issues that might hinder the performance and success of the students. My goal is to propose solutions to the issues raised by my peers and establish open and constructive communication between the program's direction and the students. Member	Universidade do Porto Faculdade de Ciências, Portugal

Course / Discipline taught

	Academic session	Degree Subject (Type)	Institution / Organization
2020/11/16 - 2022/07/15	Teacher of Experimental Sciences in four primary schools (EB Outeiro, EB Balselhas, EB Moirais and EB Retorta) in Valongo, Portugal.	Ciências Experimentais (Ensino básico 1º ciclo)	Cooperativa de Solidariedade Social Múltipla Escolha CRL, Portugal
2020/11/16 - 2022/07/15	Teacher of CAF (Componente de Apoio à Família) in a primary school (EB Campelo) in Valongo, Portugal.	Componente de Apoio à Família (Ensino básico 1º ciclo)	Cooperativa de Solidariedade Social Múltipla Escolha CRL, Portugal