Marta Acácio: Reducing human waste is protecting the health of animals and humans

A researcher in movement ecology and bird migration at Tel Aviv University (Israel), Marta Acácio is hosted at UMR MIVEGEC for one year as part of the Make Our Planet Great Again (MOPGA) scholarship, which she has been awarded. She answers our questions.

Why do you believe you are deserving of a MOPGA scholarship?

I believe that our project is closely aligned with MOPGA’s mission, under the One Health framework. Our project focuses on the impact of human waste on bird health and movements, with potential implications for human health. I believe that my previous research on the interactions between bird movement and the environment has equipped me with the necessary skills to carry out this project. In addition, through collaborations with researchers in Portugal and France, we have a long-term dataset on the health and movements of yellow-legged gulls and white storks, two opportunistic bird species that are found in urbanised areas in southern Europe. This will help us achieve our project objectives and hopefully contribute to public health strategies, supporting the goals of the MOPGA program.

What inspired you to become a scientist?

I am part of a generation of ecologists who grew up watching David Attenborough’s nature documentaries, so my curiosity about animal behaviour was sparked from an early age. Then, recent developments in animal tracking technologies, such as GPS technology, have increased my fascination with understanding where animals move to and the motivations behind their movements. But considering the increasing challenges our biodiversity is currently facing, I am now focused on ensuring that my research has a meaningful, real-world impact.

Why did you choose to work with IRD?

The IRD is an internationally renowned organization, committed to multidisciplinary research and sustainable development, which aligns perfectly with our project’s goals. I will be working with Dr. Karen D. McCoy, whose experience in host-parasite interactions and their influence on host movement provides invaluable insights into the impact of environmental factors on animal movement and health. I also believe that working at IRD under the mentorship of Dr. McCoy will improve my scientific career, by providing me with the interdisciplinary skills necessary to address complex global environmental challenges.

What activities do you carry out in the field? In the laboratory?

In the field, my primary activities involve monitoring birds’ nests, ringing birds, collecting biological samples, and deploying GPS-tracking devices to follow birds’ movements. After fieldwork, I shift to the computer, where I analyse the tracking data to understand bird movement and behaviour. Additionally, I collaborate closely with expert scientists who handle the laboratory aspects, such as identifying pathogens in the biological samples I collected in the field. This collaboration allows us to combine our efforts and expertise to address the complex research challenges we face.

How do your works contribute to improving living conditions in your country or region?

Around the world, animals are being attracted to human habitats to exploit food sources like food waste in cities and landfills. This proximity can then lead to conflicts over shared spaces and increase the risk of pathogen transmission from animals to humans (and vice-versa). By studying the health and movements of birds that use human waste and urban areas, our project will provide insights that can help minimize these conflicts. Ultimately, we aim to support the development of strategies to manage human waste more effectively, minimizing human-wildlife conflicts and promoting healthier living environments in my country and region.

How does your research address sustainability science?

Our work has two primary goals: first, to understand the impact of waste on the health and movements of birds; and second, to investigate how these birds, that exploit human waste, might carry pathogens relevant to human health. By highlighting the consequences of human waste on both animal and human health, our research will hopefully underscore the need to reduce human waste and to create sustainable waste management practices. Our ultimate goal is to contribute towards the efficient implementation of EU waste management directives, thereby improving public health management strategies of human-wildlife conflicts across Europe.

Contact science : Marta Acácio, IRD, MIVEGEC marta.acacio@gmail.com

Contact communication : Julie Sansoulet communication.occitanie@ird.fr