Dr Leonardo De Sousa Miranda

Senior Research Associate

Research Overview

I'm a biodiversity researcher with a strong background in data science, geospatial analysis, and ecological modelling. My work bridges field-based biodiversity science and advanced computational tools to generate insights that inform conservation strategies, ecosystem restoration, and climate adaptation, particularly on biodiversity and ecosystem services in the Amazon.

Over the past 19 years, I've developed and applied robust analytical approaches to large and complex biodiversity datasets, including species distribution models, remote sensing and spatial statistics. I work fluently with R and QGIS, and I'm currently expanding my capabilities with Python and cloud-based geospatial platforms like Google Earth Engine.

I hold a PhD in biodiversity and have led interdisciplinary projects that connect academia, NGOs, and government. I've published on Amazonian biodiversity, habitat loss, and climate resilience, and I've coordinated research involving the integration of ecological, and spatial data. As a postdoctoral researcher at the Lancaster Environment Centre, I've also been deeply engaged in international collaborations focused on restoration and conservation planning.

Selected Publications

Combining connectivity and species distribution modeling to define conservation and restoration priorities for multiple species: A case study in the eastern Amazon
Miranda, L.D.S., Awade, M., Jaffé, R., Costa, W.F., Trevelin, L.C., Borges, R.C., Brito, R.M.d., Tambosi, L.R., Giannini, T.C. 31/05/2021 In: Biological Conservation. 257, 11 p.
Journal article

Climate change impact on ecosystem functions provided by birds in southeastern Amazonia
Miranda, L.S., Imperatriz-Fonseca, V.L., Giannini, T.C. 11/04/2019 In: PLoS ONE. 14, 4
Journal article

Enabling large-scale and climate-resilient forest restoration in the Eastern Amazon
01/11/2024 → 31/10/2027
Research

From Loss to Renewal: Biodiversity-Centered Restoration in Amazonia
01/12/2023 → 31/12/2025
Research

BIOCLIMATE: BIOdiversity responses to CLIMAte and land-uses change in Tropical forest Ecosystems
01/01/2020 → 31/12/2024
Research

Towards COP30 – Integrated and Participatory Planning for Forest Restoration in Response to the Climate Crisis
Participation in workshop, seminar, course

GCBC Research Symposium
Participation in workshop, seminar, course

Workshop on Priority Areas for the Recovery of Native Vegetation in the Amazon
Participation in workshop, seminar, course

7th MapBiomas Award
Review of Award Applications

Perspectives in Ecology and Conservation (Journal)
Publication peer-review

Science for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services
Participation in workshop, seminar, course

Integrating population genomics and landscape ecology to guide Amazonian conservation planning
Participation in workshop, seminar, course

British Ecological Society Annual Meeting 2024
Participation in workshop, seminar, course

Global Ecology and Conservation (Journal)
Publication peer-review

Frontiers in Bee Science (Journal)
Publication peer-review

59th Meeting of the Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation
Participation in workshop, seminar, course

Boletim do Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi. Ciências Naturais (Journal)
Editorial activity

Ornithology Research (Journal)
Publication peer-review

Wilson Journal of Ornithology (Journal)
Publication peer-review

Biological Conservation (Journal)
Publication peer-review

Austral Ecology (Journal)
Publication peer-review

Journal of Biogeography (Journal)
Publication peer-review

Revista de Biología Tropical (Journal)
Publication peer-review

Boletim do Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi. Ciências Naturais (Journal)
Publication peer-review

Oecologia Australis (Journal)
Publication peer-review

Molecular Ecology (Journal)
Publication peer-review

  • Centre of Excellence in Environmental Data Science