Articles

Zacharias, S., Lumpi, T., Weldon, J., Dirnböck, T., Gaillardet, J., Haase, P., et al. 2026. Achieving harmonized and integrated long‐term environmental observation of essential ecosystem variables ‐ The eLTER framework of standard observations. Earth's Future, 14, e2025EF006743. https://doi.org/10.1029/2025EF006743

Galiana-Carballo, C., Rivera-Ferre, M.G., Méndez, P.F., Palau-Salvador, G. 2024. Reducing fossil fuel dependency in smallholding farming in l'Horta de València, Spain: A socio-metabolic approach. Ecological Economics, 217, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2023.108069108069

Méndez, P.F., Clement, F., Palau-Salvador, G., Díaz-Delgado, R. and Villamayor-Tomas, S., 2023. Understanding the governance of sustainability pathways: Hydraulic megaprojects, social-ecological traps, and power in networks of action situations. Sustainability Science, 18, 303–321. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11625-022-01258-0 

Méndez, P.F. 2021. Blue uncertainty: Warding off systemic risks in the Anthropocene – Lessons from COVID-19. Earth System Governance, 7C, 100101. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esg.2021.100101

Moreno-Llorca, R., Méndez, P.F., Ros-Candeira, A., Alcaraz-Segura, D., Santamaría, L., Ramos-Ridao, A.F., Revilla, E., Bonet-García, F.J., and Vaz, A.S. 2020. Evaluating tourist profiles and nature-based experiences in Biosphere Reserves using Flickr: Matches and mismatches between online social surveys and photo content analysis. Science of the Total Environment,  737, 140067. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140067

Vaz, A.S., Moreno-Llorca, R., Gonçalves, J.F., Vicente, J.R., Méndez, P.F., Revilla, E., Santamaría. L., Bonet-García, F.J., Honrado, J.P., and Alcaraz-Segura, D. 2020. Digital conservation in biosphere reserves: Earth observations, social media, and nature’s cultural contributions to people. Conservation Letters, e12704. https://doi.org/10.1111/conl.12704

Holzer, J., Adamescu, C. M., Cazacu, C., Diaz-Delgado, R., Dick, J., Méndez, P.F., Santamaría, L. and Orenstein D., 2019. Evaluating transdisciplinary science to open research-implementation spaces in European social-ecological systems. Biological Conservation, 238, 108228. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2019.108228

Méndez, P.F., Amezaga, J.M. and Santamaría, L., 2019. Explaining path dependent rigidity traps: increasing returns, power, discourses and entrepreneurship intertwined in social-ecological systems. Ecology & Society, 24(2), 30. https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-10898-240230

Fernández-Méndez, R., Rodríguez-Villar, S., Méndez, P.F., Windle, R. and Adams, G.G., 2018. Methodology for the analysis and comparison of protocols for glycaemic control in intensive care. Jour. Eval. Clinic. Prac., 1, 9. https://doi.org/10.1111/jep.13047

Lumbierres, M., Méndez, P.F., Bustamante, J., Soriguer, R. and Santamaría, L., 2017. Modeling biomass production in seasonal wetlands using MODIS NDVI Land Surface Phenology. Remote Sensing, 9, 392. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs9040392

Schindler, S., Livoreil, B., Sousa Pinto, I., Araujo, R., Zulka, K.P., Pullin, A.S., Santamaria, L., Kropik, M., Méndez, P.F. and Wrbka, T., 2016. The network Biodiversity Knowledge in practice: Insights from three trial assessments. Biodiversity and Conservation, 25(7), pp.1301-1318.  http://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-016-1128-4

Méndez, P.F., Isendahl, N., Amezaga, J.M. and Santamaría, L., 2012. Facilitating transitional processes in rigid institutional regimes for water management and wetland conservation - Experience from the Guadalquivir Estuary. Ecology & Society, 17(1), 26. http://dx.doi.org/10.5751/ES-04494-170126 (Erratum: "self-enforcement" should read "self-reinforcement" in every instance referring to path dependence mechanisms)

Santamaría, L. and Méndez, P.F., 2012. Evolution in biodiversity policy – Current gaps and future needs. Evolutionary Applications, 5(2), pp.202-218. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1752-4571.2011.00229.x

Books and chapters

Méndez, P.F., and Sanchis-Ibor, C., 2024. [Polycentric governance and coordination problems in coastal wetlands: an analysis of the Guadalquivir estuary dredging project.] In Sanchis-Ibor, C. and Ibáñez-Martí, C. (editors). [Coastal wetlands of the Iberian Peninsula]. Tirant lo Blanc: València, Spain, pp. 425-452. ISBN: 9788411834858  [In Spanish] link to book

Boni, A., Méndez, P.F., and Ramírez, M. 2023. [Transitions and socio-technical transformations.] In Belda-Miquel, S. and Boni, A. (editors). [Innovation for social and environmental transformation - A proposal from socio-technical transitions.] Tirant lo Blanc: València, Spain, pp. 45-74. ISBN: 978-84-1183-025-6 [In Spanish] link to book

Molas-Gallart, J., Terrazas-Valdés, P., and Méndez, P.F. 2023. [Evaluation of Transformative Innovation Policies.] In Belda-Miquel, S. and Boni, A. (editors). [Innovation for social and environmental transformation - A proposal from socio-technical transitions.] Tirant lo Blanc: València, Spain, pp. 103-127. ISBN: 978-84-1183-025-6 [In Spanish] link to book

Méndez, P.F., Fajardo-Ortiz, D., and Holzer, J.M. 2022. Disrupting the governance of social-ecological rigidity traps: Can pluralism foster change towards sustainability? In Holzer, J.M., Baird, J., and Hickey, G.M. (editors). Pluralism in ecosystem governance. Advances in Ecological Research. Volume 66, pp. 243-291. ISBN: 9780323989015.  https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.aecr.2022.04.011

El Serafy, G., Poursanidis, D., Méndez, P.F. and Provenzale, A., 2022. A bird’s view of monitoring and management of marine and coastal protected areas. In Kavvada, A., Cripe, D., Friedl, L. (editors). Earth Observation applications and global policy frameworks. American Geophysical Union, Geophysical Monograph Series. Wiley, pp. 43-66. ISBN: 9781119536765. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119536789.ch3

Brodnik, C., Keesman, S., Méndez, P.F., Penna, C. and Terrazas, P. 2022. MOTION Handbook - Developing a Transformative Theory of Change. Edited by Alvial-Palavicino, C., Matti, C. and Witte, J. Transformative Innovation Policy Consortium. https://www.tipconsortium.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/MOTION-Handbook-180222.pdf

Consoli, D., Díaz-Delgado, R., Fernández-Esquinas, P., Fernández-Méndez, P., Marques, P. Monsonís-Paya, I., Oteros-Rozas, E., Perruchas, F., Segura, S., and Woolley., R., 2021. Science, innovation, and knowledge for sustainable models of development. In Moyano-Estrada, E. and García-Azcárate, T. (editors). New foundations for a sustainable global society. Spanish National Research Council: Madrid, pp. 102-128. ISBN: 9788400108823. http://libros.csic.es/product_info.php?cPath=164&products_id=1520

Non-refereed publications

Méndez, P.F., 1998. [The aquifer of Guadix and its hydraulic relationship with the iron mines of Alquife (Granada).] Research Bulletin of the Pedro Suárez Institute, 11, pp.25-45. (In Spanish). Available here: link to publication

PhD Thesis

Méndez, P.F., 2014. Facilitating transitions towards adaptive governance and management in estuarine socio-ecosystems: Institutional analysis and action research in the Doñana region. PhD Thesis, University of the Balearic Islands. Available here: link to the thesis

Preprints and conference papers

Zacharias, S., Lumpi, T., Weldon, S., et al., 2025. Achieving harmonized and integrated long-term environmental observation of essential ecosystem variables - eLTER's Framework of Standard Observations. ESS Open Archive. June 30, 2025. https://doi.org/10.22541/essoar.175130653.38919874/v1

Méndez, P.F., 2024. Unlocking conflicts and traps: Power and institutional diagnosis for transformative social-ecological governance in a non-ergodic world. Workshop on the Ostrom Workshop 7, Indiana University, Bloomington, 19-21 June. https://hdl.handle.net/10535/11004

Méndez, P.F., Adamescu, M., Bertsch-Hörmann, B., Clement, F., Cohen, M., Díaz-Delgado, R., Dick, J., Fajardo-Ortiz, D., Gaba, S., Gaube, V., Halada, L., Holzer, J.M., Izakovičová, Z., Orenstein, D.E., Oteros-Rozas, E., Palau-Salvador, G., Rosário, I.T. and Villamayor-Tomas, S. 2023. Averting lock-in risks in social-ecological systems: a roadmap for pluralistic research and governance. SocArXiv, August 18. https://doi.org/10.31235/osf.io/td59a

Galiana-Carballo, C., Rivera-Ferre, M.G., Méndez, P.F., and Palau-Salvador, G. 2023. Reducing Fossil Fuel Dependency in Smallholding Farming in L’Horta De València, Spain: A Socio-Metabolic Approach. SSRN, http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4399367

Méndez, P.F., Fajardo-Ortiz, D., and Holzer, J.M. 2023. Disrupting the governance of social-ecological rigidity traps: Can pluralism foster change towards sustainability? SocArXiv, February 8. https://osf.io/preprints/socarxiv/uf5dh 

Boni, A., Molas-Gallart, J., Velasco, D., Méndez, P.F., Terrazas, P., and Schot, J. Evaluating transformative innovation policy—Insights from two experimental policies. Eu-Spri Annual Conference, Utrecht, June 2022.  https://euspri2022.nl/wp-content/uploads/sites/556/2022/07/Evaluating-EPE-EU-Spri.pdf

Méndez, P.F., Clement, F., Palau-Salvador, G., Díaz-Delgado, R. and Villamayor-Tomas, S., 2021. Understanding the governance of sustainability pathways: Hydraulic megaprojects, social-ecological traps, and power in networks of action situations. SocArXiv, September 22. https://doi.org/10.31235/osf.io/b3p7h 

Méndez, P.F., 2020. Blue uncertainty: Warding off systemic risks in the Anthropocene – Lessons from COVID-19. SocArXiv, June 17. https://doi.org/10.31235/osf.io/z2br5

Sample of technical documents

Méndez, P.F., Terrazas, P., Molas-Gallart, J. and Boni, A., 2021. Adaptive Cities Through Integrated Nature-Based Solutions - A guide to the Transformative Theory of Change. A work developed for EIT Climate-KIC`s project ACT on NBS. MOTION Project. Available here: link to document

Gosal, A., Arenas-Castro, S., Bonet, F. et al., 2018. Assessment of status and evolution of ecosystem service indicators. H2020 ECOPOTENTIAL Project Report. Available here: link to report 

Santamaría, L., Méndez, P.F. and Sousa-Pinto, I., 2013. Adaptive Management of European Kelp Forests. Recommendations of a workshop held in Porto (Portugal) on May 8-9th 2013, in the framework of FP7 Project Biodiversity Knowledge. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.1.3776.8088. Available here: link to policy brief 

Méndez, P.F., Santamaría, L., Amezaga, J.M. and Hearns, G., 2010. Adaptive strategies for natural resources and ecosystems management in Canada. Opportunities and constraints for implementation in Europe. Technical report prepared for the International Council for Canadian Studies. Available here: link to publication

Méndez, P.F., Basterretxea, G. and Santamaría, L., 2009. [Methodology and expert diagnostic. Chapters 3 and 4.2. in IMEDEA: Urban environmental quality and global change. Strategic guidance on environmental sustainability for the Playa de Palma Project.] (In Spanish). Available here: link to publication

Méndez, P.F., 2009. [Interdisciplinary diagnostic of problems and strategic assessment of the Playa de Palma System.] Technical report prepared for the Mediterranean Institute for Advanced Studies (Spanish Research Council). (In Spanish). Available upon request

Isendahl, N. and Méndez, P.F., 2008. [Water Management uncertainties in the Guadalquivir estuary.] Technical report. NeWater Project. 6th Framework Program EU. (In Spanish). Available here: link to report

Méndez, P.F., Santamaría, L., Amezaga, J., Hearns, G. and Isendahl, N., 2008. [Integration of management and research in the Doñana marshes: Innovative strategies and adaptive Management.] Laboratory of Spatial Ecology, Mediterranean Institute for Advanced Studies. Policy Brief ILSE-NREM-001. (In Spanish). Available here: link to policy brief

Méndez, P.F., 2004. Habitat suitability study for the Bewick's swan (Cygnus columbianus bewickii ssp.) during its wintering stage in the Netherlands. Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW). Available here: link to report

life-long learning = flow + emotion + epistemic humility