As an Ecuadorian ecosystem ecologist, I aim to advance the understanding of Amazonian ecosystems, focusing on the spatial and temporal dynamics of tree populations. With over 20 years of experience — as an Associate Professor at Universidad San Francisco de Quito and Director of the Tiputini Biodiversity Station (TBS) in Yasuní National Park — I bring extensive field data expertise, including drone-based monitoring and long-term vegetation plot surveys in Amazonian ecosystems.
During this sabbatical at iDiv, I will collaborate with Miguel Mahecha, Hannes Feilhauer, and other researchers to analyse multitemporal data, develop monitoring protocols, and generate scalable insights into forest dynamics. My objectives include exchanging expertise, fostering long-term collaborations, and establishing an Ecuador-Germany network for data sharing and ecosystem monitoring. Through iDiv’s resources, I seek to automate data collection, integrate TBS datasets with climate-related analyses, and contribute to a broader understanding of Neotropical forests.
Contact: grivast@usfq.edu.ec
Gonzalo Rivas Torres and Selene Escobar-Ramirez will be giving talks on 27 August 2025 as part of the iDiv Seminar Series.