Dr. Elsa Maria Cardona Santos
Postdoctoral researcher
Department Conservation Biology
and Social-Ecological Systems
Helmholtz-Zentrum
für Umweltforschung - UFZ
Permoserstr. 15
04318 Leipzig, Germany
elsa.cardona@ufz.de
Education
| 2013 - 2018 | Doctoral research on the allocation of Payments for Environmental Services, University of Bonn |
| 2011 - 2013 | Master of Science in Food and Resource Economics, University of Bonn |
| 2008 - 2011 | Bachelor of Science in Economics, University of Freiburg |
Work experience
| since 10.2024 | Scientific researcher at at the Department of Conservation Biology & Social-Ecological Systems, Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) |
| since 09.2024 | Adviser on nature-based climate protection at ZUG gGmbH |
| 11.2023 - 03.2024 | Freelance Consultancy for Rewilding Oder Delta |
| 02.2022 - 07.2023 | Scientific researcher at the Department of Conservation Biology & Social-Ecological Systems, Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) |
| 05.2020 - 12.2022 | Project manager at the Department of Biodiversity and Nature Protection, Environmental Action Germany (DUH) |
| 10. 2013 - 09.2019 | Research fellow at the Institute for Food and Resource Economics, University of Bonn |
| 03.2011 - 09. 2013 | Research assistant, Center for Development Research (ZEF) |
Research Interests
I am interested in the social dimensions of nature conservation. My current work focuses on integrating biodiversity targets into decision-making across both public and private sectors. I am especially focused on transformative governance approaches that outline pathways for operationalizing inclusive visions for the conservation, restoration, and use of nature. This includes ensuring that governance processes are shaped by diverse perspectives and knowledge systems, integrated across sectors, and adaptable to new circumstances, technologies, and information, as well as ensuring accountability in their implementation.
Publications
Runhaar, H., Pröbstl, F., Heim, F., Cardona Santos, E., Claudet, J., Dik, L., ... & Zinngrebe, Y. (2024). Mainstreaming biodiversity targets into sectoral policies and plans: A review from a Biodiversity Policy Integration perspective. Earth System Governance, 20, 100209.
Cardona Santos et al. (2023). Mainstreaming revisited: Experiences from eight countries on the role of National Biodiversity Strategies in practice. Earth System Governance, 16, 100177, 53-60.
Pröbstl, F., Paulsch, A., Zedda, L., Nöske, N., Cardona Santos, E. M., & Zinngrebe, Y. (2023). Biodiversity policy integration in five policy sectors in Germany: How can we transform governance to make implementation work?. Earth System Governance, 16, 100175.
Cardona Santos, E.M.(2022). Enabling rewilding: society and nature. Federal Agency for Nature Conservation BfN Script 637, 46-53
Cardona Santos, E.M., Storm, H., & Rasch, S. (2021). The cost-effectiveness of conservation auctions in the
presence of asset specificity: An agent-based model. Land Use Policy, 102, 104907.
Cardona Santos, E.M. (2018). Allocation of Payments for Environmental Services through auctions & the role of
social interaction.
Jack, K. and Cardona Santos, E.M. (2017). The leakage and livelihood impacts of auctioned vs randomly allocated PES contracts: Evidence from Malawi, Land Use Policy 63, 645-658