Biography

I am an environmental scientist (MSc ETH Zurich) with postgraduate studies in Development and Cooperation (nadel, ETH Zurich) and the principles of teaching biology (Didaktischer Ausweis, ETH Zurich).
I am based in Cusco (Peru), where I am working on tropical high-mountain wetland ecosystems (bofedales), in the frame of my own research projects and consultancy mandates for governmental and non-governmental institutions. With ACEMAA (Asociación para la Conservación y Estudio de Montañas Andinas-Amazónicas, https://acemaa.org) – a small NGO I am managing together with my wife – we are trying to strengthen the resilience of high-Andean communities towards the negative impacts of global change, using a bottom-up, science-based and participative, community approach, with a special focus on sustainable land & natural resources management and Ecosystem-based Adaptation. I am also part of iMHEA (Regional Initiative of Hydrological Monitoring of Andean ecosystems).

Research interests

• High-Andean wetland ecosystems (bofedales)
• Ecohydrology
• Water sowing and harvesting techniques (“siembra & cosecha de agua”)
• Ecosystem-based Adaptation
• Natural infrastructure (for water security)
• Ecosystem services
• Ecosystem functioning
• Socio-ecological systems
• Biodiversity
• Community-based Adaptation
• Loss & Damage