Alex Santillán-Sarmiento

Dr. Alex Santillán-Sarmiento

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Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

14Years (2013-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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18 March 2021 in Water
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Jessica PazzagliaJessica Pazzaglia
Jessica Pazzaglia
Hung NguyenHung Nguyen
Hung Nguyen
ASAlex Santillán-Sarmiento
Alex Santillán-Sarmiento
Miriam RuoccoMiriam Ruocco
Miriam Ruocco
EDEmanuela Dattolo
Emanuela Dattolo
GPGabriele Procaccini
Gabriele Procaccini
Seagrasses are marine flowering plants providing key ecological services and functions in coasts and estuaries across the globe. Increased environmental changes fueled by human activities are affecting their existence, compromising natural habitats and ecosystems’ biodiversity and functioning. In this context, restoration of disturbed seagrass environments has become a worldwide priority to reverse ecosystem degradation and to recover ecosystem functionality and associated services. Despite the proven importance of genetic research to perform successful restoration projects, this aspect has often been overlooked in seagrass restoration. Here, we aimed to provide a comprehensive perspective of genetic aspects related to seagrass restoration. To this end, we first reviewed the importance of studying the genetic diversity and population structure of target seagrass populations; then, we discussed the pros and cons of different approaches used to restore and/or reinforce degraded populations. In general, the collection of genetic information and the development of connectivity maps are critical steps for any seagrass restoration activity. Traditionally, the selection of donor population preferred the use of local gene pools, thought to be the best adapted to current conditions. However, in the face of rapid ocean changes, alternative approaches such as the use of climate-adjusted or admixture genotypes might provide more sustainable options to secure the survival of restored meadows. Also, we discussed different transplantation strategies applied in seagrasses and emphasized the importance of long-term seagrass monitoring in restoration. The newly developed information on epigenetics as well as the application of assisted evolution strategies were also explored. Finally, a view of legal and ethical issues related to national and international restoration management is included, highlighting improvements and potential new directions to integrate with the genetic assessment. We concluded that a good restoration effort should incorporate: (1) a good understanding of the genetic structure of both donors and populations being restored; (2) the analysis of local environmental conditions and disturbances that affect the site to be restored; (3) the analysis of local adaptation constraints influencing the performances of donor populations and native plants; (4) the integration of distribution/connectivity maps with genetic information and environmental factors relative to the target seagrass populations; (5) the planning of long-term monitoring programs to assess the performance of the restored populations. The inclusion of epigenetic knowledge and the development of assisted evolution programs are strongly hoped for the future.

1 March 2018 in Marine Pollution Bulletin
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
Paula S.M. Celis-PláPaula S.M. Celis-Plá
Paula S.M. Celis-Plá
MBMurray Brown
Murray Brown
ASAlex Santillán-Sarmiento
Alex Santillán-Sarmiento
NKNathalie Korbee
Nathalie Korbee
Claudio Sáez-AvariaClaudio Sáez-Avaria
Claudio Sáez-Avaria
FFFelix L. Figueroa
Felix L. Figueroa

1 February 2013 in Journal of Invertebrate Pathology
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
CCCarlos Carpio
Carlos Carpio
ODOlivier Dangles
Olivier Dangles
SDStéphane Dupas
Stéphane Dupas
XLXavier Léry
Xavier Léry
Miguel Lopez-FerberMiguel Lopez-Ferber
Miguel Lopez-Ferber
JZJean-Louis Zeddam
Jean-Louis Zeddam

8 March 2022 in Environmental Pollution
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
JPJessica Pazzaglia
Jessica Pazzaglia
ASAlex Santillán-Sarmiento
Alex Santillán-Sarmiento
Miriam RuoccoMiriam Ruocco
Miriam Ruocco
EDEmanuela Dattolo
Emanuela Dattolo
LALuca Ambrosino
Luca Ambrosino
GPGabriele Procaccini
Gabriele Procaccini

25 September 2019 in Journal of Phycology
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
PDF file
SMSophie J. McCoy
Sophie J. McCoy
ASAlex Santillán-Sarmiento
Alex Santillán-Sarmiento
MBMurray T. Brown
Murray T. Brown
SWStephen Widdicombe
Stephen Widdicombe
GWGlen L. Wheeler
Glen L. Wheeler

2 March 2023 in Science of The Total Environment
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
ASAlex Santillán-Sarmiento
Alex Santillán-Sarmiento
JPJessica Pazzaglia
Jessica Pazzaglia
MRMiriam Ruocco
Miriam Ruocco
EDEmanuela Dattolo
Emanuela Dattolo
LALuca Ambrosino
Luca Ambrosino
GPGabriele Procaccini
Gabriele Procaccini