Ana Rainho

Researcher

Bats Nature conservation Africa Islands

I received a Ph.D. in Ecology from the University of Lisbon in 2013 and I am currently working in the Tropical and Mediterranean Biodiversity group of CE3C. I am a professor of Tropical Ecology at the University of Lisbon. My current research focuses on the contribution of bat- and bird-mediated suppression of insect pests of rice in West Africa. For many years, I have been involved in implementing radio-tracking, acoustic and other methods to study bat ecology and conservation on islands and in agricultural landscapes.

I have been working on international projects focusing on ecological intensification in African agriculture, the effect of urbanization on various taxa, and the use of acoustics to generate soundscapes. My current research is driven by three overarching objectives: (a) Co-create effective Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) strategies with local communities to improve food security and promote sustainable agricultural practices; (b) Contribute to "conservation through use" of natural resources in diverse socio-ecological contexts; (c) Enhance resilience to climate change and increase food security for rural populations by integrating Traditional Ecological Knowledge, landscape spatial modeling, multitaxa surveys to identify NBS suitable for regional contexts.