![Rocio Martinez-Cillero](/sites/default/files/styles/diamond_shape_250x250/public/2020-12/rocio-martinez-cillero.jpg?itok=ovdCxO_T)
Dr Rocio Martinez-Cillero
About
My research project
Environmentally sustainable urban developmentsUrban development is one of the main causes of habitat and biodiversity loss in the UK. Until now, planning policy has focused on maintaining biodiversity levels stable over time (No-Net-Loss policies) but the trend of biodiversity loss remains unchanged and legally compliant developments still result in net biodiversity loss. We are now observing movement towards Net-Gain policies; this is, policies that aim to not only preserving but increasing, biodiversity and other natural capital values.
With this research I aim to, first, explore the transition towards environmental net-gain policies. For this, I will interview environmental practitioners to learn how they envision the opportunities and the challenges of net-gain policies, and how this varies across different sectors involved in urban planning. I will also collect information about practical implementations of net gain approaches, with the purpose of investigating creative ways of working for collective gains.
Second, I aim to propose a standardised method for measuring environmental net gain, which is ecologically grounded and socially inclusive. This method will be trialled out in a local development, in order to test its feasibility of being implemented in the wider construction industry.
Supervisors
Urban development is one of the main causes of habitat and biodiversity loss in the UK. Until now, planning policy has focused on maintaining biodiversity levels stable over time (No-Net-Loss policies) but the trend of biodiversity loss remains unchanged and legally compliant developments still result in net biodiversity loss. We are now observing movement towards Net-Gain policies; this is, policies that aim to not only preserving but increasing, biodiversity and other natural capital values.
With this research I aim to, first, explore the transition towards environmental net-gain policies. For this, I will interview environmental practitioners to learn how they envision the opportunities and the challenges of net-gain policies, and how this varies across different sectors involved in urban planning. I will also collect information about practical implementations of net gain approaches, with the purpose of investigating creative ways of working for collective gains.
Second, I aim to propose a standardised method for measuring environmental net gain, which is ecologically grounded and socially inclusive. This method will be trialled out in a local development, in order to test its feasibility of being implemented in the wider construction industry.
My qualifications
Business, industry and community links
ResearchResearch interests
Natural Capital Assessment protocols
Sustainable urban development
Nature conservation and biodiversity
Community engagement
Research interests
Natural Capital Assessment protocols
Sustainable urban development
Nature conservation and biodiversity
Community engagement
Publications
Current approaches for assessing the effects of invasive alien species (IAS) are biased toward the negative effects of these species, resulting in an incomplete picture of their real effects. This can result in an inefficient IAS management. We address this issue by describing the INvasive Species Effects Assessment Tool (INSEAT) that enables expert elicitation for rapidly assessing the ecological consequences of IAS using the ecosystem services (ES) framework. INSEAT scores the ecosystem service “gains and losses” using a scale that accounted for the magnitude and the reversibility of its effects.
We tested INSEAT on 18 IAS in Great Britain. Here, we highlighted four case studies: Harmonia axyridis (Harlequin ladybird), Astacus leptodactylus (Turkish crayfish), Pacifastacus leniusculus (Signal crayfish) and Impatiens glandulifera (Himalayan balsam). The results demonstrated that a collation of different experts’ opinions using INSEAT could yield valuable information on the invasive aliens’ ecological and social effects. The users can identify certain IAS as ES providers and the trade‐offs between the ES provision and loss associated with them. This practical tool can be useful for evidence‐based policy and management decisions that consider the potential role of invasive species in delivering human well‐being.