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Dr Renata Ferrari Legorreta

Dr Renata Ferrari Legorreta



Research Interest

Career and Qualifications

Fellowships and Awards

Research Output

Research Interest

Quantitative Marine Ecology

The emphasis of my research is to produce data that can be used for management and conservation of marine ecosystems. My PhD had an extensive fieldwork component (15 months), which produced a unique data set, combining high frequency sampling over a prolonged experimental period. These data was incorporated into coral population models and will enable management recommendations to be made for Caribbean coral reefs. Specifically, my PhD looked at ecological processes influencing alternate states in coral reefs, targeting questions like: how herbivory varies with fine scale reef structural complexity? What is the role of species, size and competition intensity in the battle between corals and macroalgae? And what is the influence of herbivory and season on the spatial and temporal change of macroalgal patch dynamics?

As a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Sydney, I work with a multidisciplinary group to understand the benthic dynamics of the marine habitats inside and outside marine protected areas, as well as their trajectory and change, with an emphasis on spatial and temporal patterns of biodiversity and processes. The multidisciplinary nature of the team translates into working with the most complete data sets gathered through novel technologies, such as AUV stereo imagery. These allow us to ask ecological questions across multiple scales and to incorporate innovative approaches to understanding how key ecosystems function, such as incorporating 3D structural complexity measures as an explanatory variable and possibly a surrogate for biodiversity. This is only possible through collaboration with groups such as the Australian Centre of Field Robotics, the Sydney Institute of Marine Sciences, the University of New South Wales and the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water of the New South Wales government, amongst others.

Career and Qualifications

  • 2008 – 2012 PhD | Marine Ecology | University of Queensland & Exeter | AUSTRALIA & UK
  • 2009 – Present Conservation Leader| Conservation Leadership Programme | INTERNATIONAL
  • 2007 – 2008 Sr Marine Biologist | Toledo Institute Development & Environment | BELIZE
  • 2007 – 2007Environmental Education Coordinator | University ofMiami | US & DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
  • 2006 – 2007 Research Associate | Exeter & University of Miami| BAHAMAS & BELIZE
  • 2005 – 2008 Research Leader | CocoPlumb, Oceanic Society & Seagrassnet | BELIZE
  • 2005 – 2006 Marine Biologist | Friends of Nature (local NGO) | BELIZE
  • 2005 – 2005 Research assistant | Project for the conservation of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System | MEXICO, BELIZE, GUATEMALA & HONDURAS
  • 2004 – 2005 Volunteer | Isla Contoy National Park | MEXICO
  • 2001 – 2004 Biologist | Universidad de las Americas & Xcaret Aquarium | MEXICO
  • 1999 – 2004 Bachelor of Science (Honors) | Universidad de las Americas | MEXICO
  • 1999 – 2000 Research Assistant | Jungla Magica Dolphinarium| MEXICO

Fellowships and Awards

  • CoNaCyT International Postgraduate Research Scholarship (2008 – 2012) $45,000 USD
  • University of Queensland Research Scholarship (2010 – 2012) $25,000 AUD
  • University of Queensland International Scholarship (2010 – 2012) Tuition fees
  • University of Queensland, School of Biological Sciences Award (2012) $400 AUD
  • Conservation Leadership Programme Conference Award (2011) $1,250 USD
  • ISRS Graduate Fellowship Conference Award (2011) $820 AUD
  • Conservation Leadership Programme Conference Award (2010) $1,250 USD
  • University of Queensland Conference Award (2010) $1,200 AUD
  • ISRS Graduate Fellowship Conference Award (2010) $600 AUD
  • Exeter Research Scholarship (2008 – 2010) £18,750
  • University of Exeter, School of BioSciences Scholarship (2008 – 2010) £9,750
  • International Coral Reef Action Network Conference Award (2006) Registration
  • Universidad de las Americas, Research Excellence Scholarship (1999–2004) Tuition
  • Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation Fellowship (2008 – 2010) $60,000 USD
  • Wildlife Conservation Society Research Fellowship (2009) $16,000 USD
  • CoNaCyT Undergraduate Research Scholarship (2004) $1,000 USD

Research Output

Journal publications and book chapters

  • Renata Ferrari, Gonzalez-Rivero M, Ortiz JC, Mumby PJ (2012) Interactions of herbivory and seasonality on the dynamics of Caribbean macroalgae Coral Reefs Monitoring long term coral - algal competition
  • Renata Ferrari, Gonzalez-Rivero M, Mumby PJ (2012) Size matters in the competition between corals and macroalgae Marine Ecology Progress Series.
  • Manuel Gonzalez-Rivero, Ereskovsky AV, Ferrari R, Schonberg CHL, Fromont J, Mumby PJ (In review) Life history-traits of a common Caribbean coral-excavating sponge Cliona tenuis (Porifera:Hadromerida) Marine Ecology
  • Peter J Mumby, Steneck RS, Edwards AJ, Ferrari R, Gibson JP, Harborne AR, Coleman R (2012) Fishing down a Caribbean food web relaxes trophic cascades Marine Ecology Progress Series
  • Manuel Gonzalez-Rivero, Ferrari R, Schonberg CHL, Mumby PJ (2012) Impacts of macroalgal competition and parrotfish predation on the growth of a common bioeroding sponge Marine Ecology Progress Series
  • Nicola L. Foster, Paris CB, Kool JT, Baums IB, Stevens JR, Sanchez JA, Bastidas C, Agudelo C, Bush P, Day O, Ferrari R, Gonzalez P, Gore S, Guppy R, McCartney M, McCoy C, Mendes J, Srinivasan A, Steiner S, Vermeij MJA, Weil E, Mumby PJ (2012) Connectivity of Caribbean coral populations: complementary insights from empirical and modelled gene flow Molecular Ecology
  • Alastair R. Harborne, Mumby PJ, Kennedy EV, Ferrari R (2011) Biotic and multi-scale abiotic controls of habitat quality: their effect on coral-reef fishes Marine Ecology Progress Series
  • Alastair R. Harborne, Mumby PJ, Ferrari R (2011) The effectiveness of different meso-scale rugosity metrics for predicting intra-habitat variation in coral-reef fish assemblages Environmental Biology of Fishes
  • Carlos H Vergara, Contreras J, Ferrari R, Paredes J (2008) "Polinización entomófila en cafetales" In Manson, RH, Hernández-Ortiz V, Gallina, S y Mehltreter K (editors) "Agroecosistemas cafetaleros de Veracruz: Biodiversidad, Manejo y Conservación" Instituto De Ecolog'a, AC / Instituto Nacional de Ecolog'a (SEMARNAT), México DF / pp 249-259
  • Maiti, RK, Garcia J, Sanchez E, Ferrari R, Olguin LP, Benavides A (2002) Salinity tolerance of different vegetable crop species at the germination and initial seedling stage Crop Research 23 (3): 476 – 480

Conference proceedings

  • Renata Ferrari, Gonzalez-Rivero M, Mumby PJ (2012) Effect of reef structural complexity on parrotfish grazing spatial distribution. 12th International Coral Reef symposium, Cairns AUSTRALIA (abstract accepted and funding granted)
  • Renata Ferrari, Gonzalez-Rivero M, Mumby PJ (2011) Size matters in coral-algal competition on Glovers Reef Atoll, Belize. 25th International Congress for Conservation Biology, Auckland NEW ZEALAND
  • Renata Ferrari, Gonzalez-Rivero M, Mumby PJ (2011) Size matters in coral-algal competition on Glovers Reef Atoll, Belize. 86th Australian Coral Reef Society Conference, Sunshine Coast AUSTRALIA
  • Renata Ferrari, Gonzalez-Rivero M, Mumby PJ (2011) Coral-algal competition on Glovers Reef Atoll, Belize. 48th Australian Marine Sciences Association Conference, Fremantle WESTERN AUSTRALIA
  • Renata Ferrari, Gonzalez-Rivero M, Ortiz JC, Mumby PJ (2010) The effects of herbivory and seasonality on macroalgal dynamics on a Caribbean fore reef. Euro International Society for Reef Studies Symposium, Wageningen THE NETHERLANDS
  • Renata Ferrari, Gonzalez-Rivero M, Ortiz JC, Mumby PJ (2010) The effects of herbivory and seasonality on macroalgal dynamics on a Caribbean fore reef. 85th Australian Coral Reef Society Conference, Coffs Harbour AUSTRALIA
  • Renata Ferrari, Gonzalez-Rivero M (2009) Coral Reefs or algal Reefs? Incorporating herbivory into coral reef conservation. Wildlife Conservation Society and Coastal Zone Management Administration Initiative Symposium, Belize City BELIZE
  • Renata Ferrari (2006) Analyzing alliances/partnerships as MPA management Strategies. 3rd International Tropical Marine Ecosystems Management Symposium, Cozumel MEXICO
  • Renata Ferrari (2006) Management of a multiuse Marine Protected Area. 2nd Congreso de Areas Naturales Protegidas: Simposio Marino-Costero. Panama City PANAMA
  • Renata FerrariVergara CH (2004) Coffee pollinating insect diversity. BIOCAFE 2ndSymposium, Instituto de Ecologia de Xalapa MEXICO