Rico Santiago

Rico Santiago
Room 112, Geography Department
NUI, Galway
E-mail: agnellirico.santiagonuigalway.ie

Biography

A Californian by way of the Philippines, Rico earned his BA from the University of California, Santa Barbara ( UCSB), where he majored in Physical Geography and minored in English Literature and Geology. Growing up and living by the ocean his entire life, Rico's interest in the natural world prompted him to pursue an MS degree in Environmental Science from UCSB's Bren School with an emphasis on Marine Resources and Information Technology. Following a 2-year stint as a scientist for Delaware's Coastal Programs ( DCP), Rico decided to move to Ireland in 2003 in order to further his studies and surf the relatively pristine waves of Donegal Bay.

For more information: Curriculum Vitae ¦ Surf in Ireland

Current Research

A predictive GIS model of Arctic-Alpine plant habitat distribution in N. Ireland and its applications for biodiversity conservation

Mapping species distributions is an integral component of the plant biodiversity strategy of N. Ireland. Unfortunately, current species maps impart only a general understanding of distribution patterns and the factors affecting them. Particularly, Arctic-Alpine plants are known to have a restricted presence in Ireland, but their spatial distribution is poorly understood due to the remote and often inaccessible areas in which they occur. To address this, a GIS-based potential habitat model was developed as a mapping tool with which to investigate abiotic landscape factors affecting Arctic-Alpine plant distribution in N. Ireland. The model’s applications for biodiversity conservation are investigated and discussed.

Understanding the extent in which physiographic parameters affect habitat distribution patterns has been a mainstay in biogeographical studies. For conservation purposes, it is not sufficient to simply describe habitat patterns: factors influencing these patterns must also be understood. Therefore, this study also investigates and attempts to quantify the effects of topography, edaphic factors, and land-use on the fragmentation of Arctic-Alpine habitat in N. Ireland.

Selected Readings