On July 2, 2025, Columba Martinez-Espinosa, research engineer at the Tour du Valat, was elected President of the European Section of the Society of Wetlands Scientists (SWS).
A member of the European section of the SWS for eight years, Columba Martinez-Espinosa has been a research engineer at the Tour du Valat since March 2022. She has solid expertise in functional ecology and wetland nutrient dynamics, which she now applies to studying French Mediterranean lagoons with a view to restoring them to good ecological status.
An international academic and professional background
Before joining the Tour du Valat, Columba conducted research in the United States (Advanced Science Research Center – GC/CUNY in New York), France (CNRS Toulouse), Brazil (Manaus, Amazonia), Italy (University of Ferrara), Malaysia (Universiti Tereggannu), and Egypt (American University in Cairo). This international experience has given him a global perspective on wetland ecosystems, reinforced by skills in biogeochemical modeling, enabled him to develop a strong network of scientific collaborations, and taught him about the diversity of local wetland management practices.
Her international academic and professional background, combined with her commitment to sustainable wetland management, were the assets that led to her election as president of this European section of the SWS.
“I was fortunate to receive support from the SWS during my studies, which enabled me to develop my expertise in wetlands. This election now gives me the opportunity to support young researchers who are getting involved in this field,” she comments.
Society of Wetlands Scientists – European section
The European section of the SWS was founded with the aim of bringing together scientists and other professionals specialising in wetlands who share a common interest in the science and management of these environments and work in Europe. The SWS aims to improve knowledge about wetlands; advance related scientific fields; and support decision-making processes that may affect these environments, ensuring that they are based on a sound understanding of the scientific issues involved.
To carry out this mission, SWS members need to have a solid understanding of both the scientific data relating to wetlands and the contextual factors that can influence decision-making, many of which are specific to Europe. With this in mind, online conferences and symposiums are organised annually and resources are made available on the organisation’s website. Small grants are also available to encourage students.
The SWS and the Tour du Valat
The election of Columba Martinez-Espinosa is part of a history of strong links between the Tour du Valat and the SWS. Nick Davidson, member of the Tour du Valat Scientific Council, is also a member of the European section of the SWS; Patrick Grillas, former Programme Director at the Tour du Valat, was a member for many years; and the Tour du Valat had the pleasure of hosting the annual meetings of the European section of the SWS at the LUMA Foundation in 2022.
During her term of office, Columba Martinez-Espinosa hopes to strengthen and develop these links. In particular, she wishes to encourage greater involvement of her colleagues at the Tour du Valat in the SWS; strengthen exchanges with the Mediterranean Wetlands Alliance, of which the SWS is a member; promote the scientific and management support work produced by the Tour du Valat to wetland management networks in Europe; and, finally, strengthen advocacy for wetland protection.
Are you a scientist working in the field of wetlands and interested in joining the SWS network? Since its creation in 1980, the Society of Wetland Scientists has welcomed more than 3,000 members from around the world.
For more informationn, visit the SWS website. [1]