María Elisa Sánchez

International CEPA Assistant

About me

I am an Ecuadorian wetland scientist, interested in understanding the functioning of mountain wetlands, particularly peatlands, and their susceptibility to human-induced impacts – including those driven by the ongoing climate emergency. I developed my Master’s project on carbon flux dynamics in high altitude peatlands in the Ecuadorian Andes. I am currently a PhD candidate investigating the influence of climate change on peatlands in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. I have also volunteered as Americas Representative and most recently as Coordinator of Youth Engaged in Wetlands (YEW), a volunteer network committed to the conservation, protection, and wise use of wetlands. My involvement with YEW led me into the realm of international wetland policy.

My objectives are to develop science-based wetland conservation strategies while engaging multiple stakeholders at local, regional, and global scales. Additionally, I aim to raise awareness among the public about the importance of wetlands and the need to protect them from anthropogenic threats.

My role

My role entails supporting the international engagement team to deliver CEPA (Communication, Capacity Building, Education, Participation and Awareness Raising) services to global partners such as the World Wetland Network (WWN) and Wetland Link International (WLI).

Experience and interests

• Wetland science
• Statistical analyses using R
• Scientific communication
• Ramsar Convention policy
• Outdoor and STEM education and mentoring for high school girls
• Yoga, mountain and rock climbing

Publications

• McDowell, G., Stevens, M., Marshall, S., [and 80 others, including Sánchez, M. E.] (2023). The Canadian Mountain Assessment: Walking Together to Enhance Understanding of Mountains in Canada. University of Calgary Press. https://ucp.manifoldapp.org/projects/9781773855103.
• Sharma, B., Allély-Fermé, E., Sánchez, M. E. (2021). Status, Challenges and Aspirations of Wetland Youth. https://www.youthengagedinwetlands.com/survey.
• Sánchez, M. E., Chimner, R. A., Hribljan, J. A., Lilleskov, E. A., Suárez E. (2017). Carbon dioxide and methane fluxes in grazed and undisturbed mountain peatlands in the Ecuadorian Andes. Mires and Peat. DOI: 10.19189/MaP.2017.OMB.2