Links
Marcelo Alejandro Valencia Cárdenas
Ecologist & Water Governance Specialist Universidad Austral de Chile / Fulbright Scholar
Marcelo is a Fulbright Scholar preparing to pursue a Ph.D. in Environment in the United States in 2027, and the Community and Governance Lead at Fundación Plantae. His background bridges scientific research in aquatic ecology and community perception analysis with hands on socio-ecological governance. His research integrates empirical ecological data on river basins, such as riparian vegetation indices, water quality parameters, and freshwater biodiversity under hydroclimatic stress, with local community perceptions regarding socio-environmental impacts from hydroelectric infrastructure. This mixed methods foundation connects empirical ecosystem health with lived social realities for evidence based policymaking. Complementing his academic work, in his role at Fundación Plantae he designs and implements participatory governance frameworks, stakeholder mapping, and multi-actor dialogues across water stressed territories. Through his dual role in scientific research and territorial management, Marcelo works to bridge ecological monitoring with participatory water governance, facilitating community led conservation strategies, stakeholder mapping, and inclusive environmental policy design across vulnerable river basins in southern Chile.