Fernando
García-González

Geospatial analyst
Seagrass Ecology Group
(IEO-CSIC)

LANGUAGES

  • Spanish
  • English
  • French
  • Haitian Creole

INTERESTS

  • Marine ecology
  • Field data collection
  • Remote sensing
  • Drones
  • Geospatial analysis
  • Data visualization
  • Surfing
  • Freediving
  • Sailing
  • Hiking

My work lies at the interface between optical remote sensing and applied marine ecology, with an special focus on seagrass meadows and macroalgal forests.

Education

Ongoing PhD - University of Girona, Spain

  • Remote sensing of marine vegetation for monitoring and managing coastal ecosystems. Research plan

MSc in Remote Sensing - University of Extremadura, Spain (2021)

  • Master thesis: García-González, F., Quiros-Rosado, E., Cebrian, E., & Boada, J. (2021). Efficiency of Sentinel-2 to monitor marine protected areas: bathymetry and cartography of underwater coastal habitats by means of remote sensing http://hdl.handle.net/10662/17008
  • Erasmus+ internship at LOV-IMEV-Sorbonne University, France.
  • Field expedition at Lerins Islands coordinated by ECOSEAS-Nice University, France.

MSc in Coastal Management - University of Western Brittany, France (2013)

  • Professional internship as an NGO worker in Haiti, followed by a contract to manage a small-scale food security project.

BSc in Marine Sciences and Oceanography - University of Vigo (2012)

  • SICUE-SENECA mobility grant at University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
  • JAE-INTRO research grant internship at INCAR-CSIC.
  • Academic mobility at University of Colima, Mexico.
  • Erasmus grant at IUEM, University of Western Brittany, France.

Contributions

Conference proceedings

  • Garcia-Gonzalez, F., Bernardeau-Esteller, J., Martinez-Garrido, J., Rojo, I., Dalmau, A., Belando, M. D., Garcia-Sanchez, M., Mompean, C., Garcia-Munoz, R., Marin-Guirao, L., Quiros, E., Boada, J., & Ruiz, J. M. (2024). Integracion de Sentinel-2 en la evaluacion del estado de las praderas de Posidonia oceanica. Teledeteccion y Cambio Global: Retos y Oportunidades para un Crecimiento Azul.

Conference presentations

  • Garcia-Gonzalez, F., Boada, J., Cebrian, E., & Quiros, E. (2023). Mapping Underwater Ecosystems through Remote Sensing: Novel Approaches to Expand the Scales of Global Biodiversity Tracking. ASLO Aquatic Scinces Meeting. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8354746
  • Garcia-Gonzalez, F., Alcoverro Pedrola, T., Cebrian, E., Garrabou, J., Hereu, B., & Boada, J. (2022). Monitoreo de Desiertos Submarinos Mediate Ciencia Ciudadana y Teledeteccion. Jornades SIG Lliure. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8355648
  • Garcia-Gonzalez, F., Bernardeau Esteller, J., Martinez-Garrido, J., Rojo, I., Belando Torrentes, M. D., Garcia Sanchez, M., Mompean de la Rosa, C., Garcia-Munoz, R., Marin-Guirao, L., & Ruiz Fernandez, J. M. (2024). Merging Scales and Methodologies: From Underwater Tow Cameras to Sentinel-2 Imagery to Assess Seagrass Distribution. World Seagrass Conference & 15th International Seagrass Biology Workshop (WSC - ISBW). https://doi.org/10.5281/ZENODO.12513770
  • Martinez-Garrido, J., Garcia-Gonzalez, F., Bernardeau Esteller, J., Arteaga Michaux, S., Garcia, M., Navarro-Martinez, P., Marin-Guirao, L., Belando Torrentes, M. D., Rojo, I., Garcia-Sanchez, M., Mompean de la Rosa, C., Garcia-Munoz, R., & Ruiz Fernandez, J. M. (2024). A Novel Approach to Monitor the Deep Limits of Posidonia Oceanica Meadows: Seascape Analysis Using High-Resolution Underwater Orthomosaics.. World Seagrass Conference & 15th International Seagrass Biology Workshop (WSC - ISBW). https://doi.org/10.5281/ZENODO.14281038

Master thesis

  • Garcia-Gonzalez, F. (2021). Master thesis- Efficiency of Sentinel-2 to monitor marine protected areas: bathymetry and underwater habitat mapping.. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/ZENODO.8355538

Mentoring

  • Elvira Sanchez, P. (2025). Monitorizacion de la presencia de Zostera noltii en la Ria de Villaviciosa a partir de imagenes capturadas con drones. Trabajo final de Grado en Ciencia e Ingenieria de datos.. https://hdl.handle.net/10651/80196

Reports

  • Garcia-Gonzalez, F., Pages, J. F., Marco-Mendez, C., Sanmarti, N., Alemany, A., Pons, S., Rodriguez Arias, L., Minguito-Frutos, M., Garcia, M., & Alcoverro Pedrola, T. (2022). Monitoring of Cymodocea Nodosa Index According to the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) at the Ebro Delta Bays. Annual Report 2022. CEAB-CSIC.

Work Experience

  • Drone pilot and remote sensing analyst - Advanced Center of Studies of Blanes (CEAB-CSIC). Organization and participation in underwater campaigns, drone surveys, data preparation, report writing and outreach across several contracts from 2021 to 2023.
  • Professional diver - Eight summer campaigns as a seaweed collector diver in Asturias (2015-2022). One campaign as a holothurian collector diver in the Great Barrier Reef, Australia (2019). >2000 logged hours.
  • Sailing - Two transatlantic crossings (2014 and 2017). Charted vessels: Guadeloupe-Haiti (2013), Germany (2012), France-Norway (2012). >7000 nautical miles.
  • Fishing - Work on several vessels across different countries. Artisanal fishing in Australia (2019), Guadeloupe (2013) and Asturias (2015-2016). Trawling in France (2012-2013).
  • NGO coordinator - Haiti (2013).
  • Kids - Assistant teacher in elementary schools in France (2012).
  • Lifeguard - Work in beaches and swimming pools for the Red Cross during summers from 2007 to 2015.

Merits

  • Erasmus+ grant to stay at LOV-IMEV, Sorbonne University, France (2022).
  • Literature award: Lava, short story awarded with a 1,000 EUR prize, Spain (2016).
  • Erasmus grant to study at IUEM-UBO, France (2012).
  • University of Vigo grant to study at the University of Colima, Mexico (2011).
  • SICUE-SENECA grant to study at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain (2010).
  • JAE-INTRO to research grant for a research stay at INCAR-CSIC, Spain (2010).
  • Cum laude high school distinction, ranked first in the promotion, Spain (2007).
  • USA National Honor Society member at J.L. Mann High School, USA (2006).

Courses and Certificates

  • Marine Biodiversity Data Mobilization Workshop, OBIS (2023).
  • Python: Applied machine learning, CEINPRO, 150h (2022) + Advanced python, CSIC, 40h (2023)
  • Google Earth Engine and biodiversity analysis using QGIS/GEE, Geoinnova, 125h (2022).
  • Hyperspectral remote sensing workshop, German Space Agency (2022).
  • A1/A2/A3 Drone pilot.
  • Free diver instructor, AIDA (2021), personal best: -43m CWT.
  • SCUBA diver instructor, PADI (2020).
  • Emergency and first response instructor, EFR (2020).
  • Scientific diver (2010), professional diver (2015) and professional skipper (2016).