Science, Resilience, and Conservation: The Journey of a Black Ecologist
For Black History Month 2024, the British Ecological Society (BES) journals are celebrating the work of Black ecologists around the world and sharing their stories. In this blog, Dr Daniela Boanares shares her experiences.
You can find Portuguese and Spanish translations of this blog post here!
Biography
Name: Daniela Boanares
Pronouns: She/her
Affiliation: Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ)
Ecology interests in three keywords:
Plant Ecophysiology
Ecohydrology
Climate change
How did you get into ecology?
I am a light-skinned Black woman, born in the outskirts of a Brazilian city. Throughout my academic journey, I relied on financial support from the Brazilian government to pursue my studies. During my undergraduate years, I developed a deep interest in ecology through various courses, which ultimately led me to pursue a Master’s degree in Tropical Biome Ecology at the Federal University of Ouro Preto. I then earned my Ph.D. in Plant Biology at the Federal University of Minas Gerais, continuing my focus on Plant Ecophysiology. My dissertation examined the ability of plants from a highly diverse ecosystem, the campo rupestre, to absorb water through their leaves. In 2021, my thesis was awarded the prize for Best Thesis in Brazil in the field of Biodiversity by CAPES, the Brazilian research foundation agency linked to the Ministry of Education (MEC).
What are you researching/working on right now?
I am currently continuing my research on the plants of the campo rupestre ecosystem, but first and foremost, it is essential to understand the value of this unique environment. The campos rupestres consist of a highly diverse mixture of grass-shrub vegetation that grows on ironstone, quartzite, and sandstone outcrops, locally known as canga, and are vulnerable to fires. This ecosystem hosts over 5,000 known plant species, more than 2,000 of which are endemic. In other words, it is a megadiverse ecosystem. However, due to its unique edaphic characteristics, it is frequently targeted by mining companies. Additionally, unregulated tourism, attracted by its scenic beauty, poses a significant threat. Therefore, studying why this ecosystem is so biodiverse is both relevant and fascinating. To address this, I employ various tools, including morphology, anatomy, physiology, and omics approaches, to explore these questions.
What do you enjoy most about your work or ecology in general?
What drives and inspires me in my research is the knowledge that the data generated will contribute to the conservation of this unique ecosystem. Understanding the structuring factors of different campo rupestre areas, as well as the adaptive strategies employed by plants, will not only aid in explaining this ecosystem’s remarkable biodiversity but also help predict which plant groups will be most affected by climate change. This is about applying science and ecology in a practical way, supporting more effective management practices aimed at preserving genetic resources and ecosystem services provided to society. Moreover, this research paves the way for proposing new reserves, ecological corridors, protection zones, and even strategies for the restoration of degraded areas.
What are your hopes and ambitions for the future?
For the future, my ambition is for the strategy of foliar water uptake (FWU) to be incorporated into the traditional water cycle. I hope that FWU will be taught in schools, expanding the familiar concept of the water cycle in a more comprehensive way. The water’s path, which we know so well, can be much more dynamic. Water can not only move up through the roots to the leaves and eventually to the atmosphere, but it can also travel the reverse path. Understanding this complete water cycle will help us more effectively grasp the dynamics of various ecosystems and the true contribution of the atmosphere to water processes, both for plants and the ecosystem.
Moreover, I hope that the campo rupestre ecosystem becomes globally recognized so that people understand its importance and the urgent need for its protection. Additionally, I aspire for the campo rupestre to be elevated to the status of a Biome, given its unique characteristics that justify this classification. This would pave the way for more effective public policies aimed at conservation, considering both climate change and land use.
The theme for Black History Month UK this year is ‘Reclaiming Narratives’. What does this mean to you?
I believe that reclaiming the space that has so often been denied to us is crucial. Retelling our stories through our own perspectives and lived experiences is a powerful way to give ourselves a voice, especially since these voices have historically been marginalized or distorted — particularly in science, academia, and broader cultural narratives.
Shout out your peers! Are there any black ecologists or groups who are doing work you admire?
I am fortunate to be part of the first group of Black ecologists awarded a grant by the Serrapilheira Institute in collaboration with FAPERJ. This group is made up of Black researchers working across various fields of ecology, from terrestrial to marine ecosystems. They are not only leading cutting-edge research in their respective fields but also showing society our capacity to independently manage and direct scientific projects. This initiative is a powerful example of how we can strengthen Black representation in science and bring new perspectives to the field of ecology.
Are there any aspects of your academic career / personal journey as a Black ecologist that you wish to share?
As a Black woman and also an extrovert, I realized, especially during my PhD, that I always had to work three or even four times harder than my white peers. I found this to be incredibly harsh, considering that as a woman from the periphery with limited access to quality education early on, I was already starting at a disadvantage. Yet, it was expected that I push myself far more than they did. Sadly, this is the reality I faced and continue to face. To make things worse, being an extroverted woman only further challenged my credibility in the eyes of my peers. In academia, there is a pervasive belief that to be a renowned and competent researcher, one must be serious, introverted, and even arrogant at times. It wasn’t until my thesis received an award that people started viewing me differently—but I had been competent long before the recognition. This only reinforces the fact that Black women must always work harder and harder to be seen. The silver lining is that, despite this reality, I’ve encountered some incredible people along the way who have lightened the load. These moments of support are the refreshing pauses in a journey otherwise filled with racist and misogynistic obstacles.
If you could see one change in academia to positively impact Black ecologists, what would that be?
I believe that improving opportunities for us, Black ecologists, is essential. We are competent, intelligent, and resourceful. The issue lies in the lack of opportunities. For a fair historical redress, considering that Black people are often in more disadvantaged financial positions compared to white people, the opportunities must be adjusted accordingly. Therefore, initiatives such as scholarships, quotas, and funding calls that prioritize Black individuals are crucial. Additionally, placing Black people in leadership positions and high-level roles is also necessary to ensure greater representation across all levels of academia.
