Stefano Focardi is a distinguished wildlife ecologist with a career dedicated to understanding the complex interactions between animals and their environments. Over the course of his career, he has made significant contributions to wildlife population dynamics, animal behavior, and biodiversity conservation, particularly with a focus on endangered species such as the Italian roe deer. Focardi’s work emphasizes the importance of quantitative models in ecological studies, contributing to a more sophisticated understanding of species conservation. His research has earned him a prominent place within the scientific community, as he has led numerous international collaborations and mentored many young researchers. Focardi’s contributions to the academic and scientific community are evident in his leadership roles in research institutions, as well as his active participation in organizing scientific conferences. His work bridges the gap between theoretical ecological research and practical conservation efforts, making his contributions impactful not only in academia but also in conservation practice. Focardi’s career is a testament to his commitment to wildlife ecology, and his influence continues to shape conservation strategies and policies globally.

Professional Profile

• Scopus Profile

Education

Stefano Focardi earned his academic credentials through rigorous training in wildlife ecology and biological sciences. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Florence, where he developed an interest in animal behavior and population ecology. He went on to complete his Ph.D. at the same institution, where his doctoral research focused on wildlife population dynamics, specifically regarding ungulates. His academic journey was further enriched by postdoctoral work at several prestigious institutions, where he specialized in advanced ecological modeling and conservation biology. Throughout his education, Focardi developed a strong foundation in quantitative methods, which he would later apply to ecological research. His educational background reflects a commitment to understanding and addressing critical issues in conservation, particularly in regard to endangered species and habitat management. The knowledge and expertise Focardi gained throughout his education provided him with the tools to become a leader in his field, making significant strides in both theoretical and applied ecology. His academic training has been integral to his success as a researcher and educator, shaping his approach to understanding and solving complex ecological problems.

Professional Experience

Stefano Focardi’s professional experience spans over several decades, during which he has held prominent positions in research and academia. He has worked with multiple research institutions and universities across Europe, contributing his expertise in wildlife ecology and population dynamics. Focardi has served as a faculty member at the University of Florence, where he has been involved in teaching and mentoring students in ecology and conservation biology. His leadership extended to administrative roles, where he oversaw research projects and coordinated collaborations with international conservation organizations. Additionally, Focardi has worked as a senior researcher on several high-profile conservation projects, applying his skills in ecological modeling and data analysis to improve wildlife management strategies. His professional experience also includes extensive fieldwork, during which he has studied and monitored endangered species, providing valuable insights into their behavior and population trends. Focardi’s career is marked by his commitment to bridging the gap between academic research and practical conservation efforts, ensuring that his work contributes to real-world solutions in biodiversity conservation.

Research Interests

Stefano Focardi’s research interests center on wildlife population dynamics, animal behavior, and biodiversity conservation. He is particularly known for his work on species conservation and the use of quantitative methods, such as capture-recapture models and distance sampling, to better understand animal populations. Focardi’s primary focus has been on ungulate species, including the Italian roe deer, and his research aims to improve conservation strategies for these endangered animals. He is also interested in understanding the ecological processes that drive species behavior and their interaction with environmental changes. His research integrates both theoretical and applied ecology, using mathematical models to predict the impacts of human activity, climate change, and habitat destruction on wildlife populations. Focardi is an advocate for evidence-based conservation, ensuring that ecological models inform decision-making processes in conservation policies. His work in adaptive management, particularly for species in protected areas, has been influential in shaping conservation management practices. Focardi’s research continues to address pressing ecological challenges, and his work remains at the forefront of wildlife conservation science.

Research Skills

Stefano Focardi possesses a wide range of research skills that have been honed throughout his career. He is highly skilled in quantitative modeling, particularly in the use of ecological models to understand population dynamics and animal behavior. His expertise includes capture-recapture methods, distance sampling, and other statistical techniques that are essential for studying wildlife populations in the field. Focardi is also proficient in the use of software tools for data analysis and simulation modeling, such as R and program MARK. In addition to his technical skills, Focardi has extensive experience in fieldwork, where he has designed and conducted wildlife surveys and monitoring programs in diverse ecological settings. His ability to collect and analyze data from both field studies and laboratory experiments has been central to his research. Focardi is also a skilled communicator, with a strong track record of publishing research findings in peer-reviewed journals and presenting at international conferences. His interdisciplinary approach allows him to collaborate effectively with experts from various fields, including conservation biology, mathematics, and environmental science.

Awards and Honors

Throughout his distinguished career, Stefano Focardi has received numerous awards and honors in recognition of his contributions to wildlife ecology and conservation science. His groundbreaking research on wildlife population dynamics has earned him accolades from leading conservation organizations and academic institutions. He has received prestigious grants for his research projects, particularly those focused on the conservation of endangered species in Europe. Focardi’s work has been cited extensively in scientific literature, further underscoring the impact of his research in the field of wildlife ecology. In addition to academic recognition, he has been invited to serve as an editor for major ecological journals, where his expertise is highly valued in shaping the direction of research in conservation biology. His leadership in organizing and leading international conferences on wildlife conservation has also been recognized as a major contribution to the global scientific community. Focardi’s awards reflect his exceptional career and his dedication to advancing scientific knowledge in the service of biodiversity conservation.

Conclusion

Stefano Focardi is a highly accomplished wildlife ecologist whose contributions to the field of biodiversity conservation have been profound and far-reaching. His research, particularly in wildlife population dynamics and the conservation of endangered species, has had a lasting impact on both scientific theory and practical conservation strategies. Focardi’s innovative use of ecological models and his emphasis on adaptive management have made him a leader in his field. He has demonstrated an exceptional ability to bridge the gap between theoretical research and real-world applications, making his work highly relevant to contemporary conservation efforts. His collaborations with international research groups and conservation organizations further amplify the influence of his work, positioning him as a key figure in global wildlife conservation. As an educator, mentor, and leader, Focardi has shaped the careers of many young researchers, ensuring the continued growth of the field. His legacy is one of scientific excellence and a deep commitment to the preservation of biodiversity for future generations. Focardi’s career serves as an exemplary model of how rigorous scientific research can contribute to solving the pressing environmental challenges of our time.

Publications Top Notes

1. Title: Making the best of a hard job: A response to Nakashima (2022)
   Authors: Santini, Giacomo; Abolaffio, Milo; Ossi, Federico; Cagnacci, Francesca; Focardi, Stefano
   Year: 2022

2. Title: On the mean path length invariance property for random walks of animals in open environment
   Authors: Tommasi, Federico; Fini, Lorenzo; Focardi, Stefano; Santini, Giacomo; Cavalieri, Stefano
   Journal: Scientific Reports
   Year: 2022
   Citations: 6

3. Title: Population assessment without individual identification using camera-traps: A comparison of four methods
   Authors: Santini, Giacomo; Abolaffio, Milo; Ossi, Federico; Cagnacci, Francesca; Focardi, Stefano
   Journal: Basic and Applied Ecology
   Year: 2022
   Citations: 20

4. Title: Day versus night use of forest by red and roe deer as determined by Corine Land Cover and Copernicus Tree Cover Density: assessing use of geographic layers in movement ecology
   Authors: Salvatori, Marco; de Groeve, Johannes E.; van Loon, E. Emiel; Van De Weghe, Nico; Cagnacci, Francesca
   Journal: Landscape Ecology
   Year: 2022
   Citations: 9

5. Title: Quantifying the errors in animal contacts recorded by proximity loggers
   Authors: Ossi, Federico; Focardi, Stefano; Tolhurst, Bryony Anne; Gaillard, Jean Michel; Cagnacci, Francesca
   Journal: Journal of Wildlife Management
   Year: 2022
   Citations: 2

6. Title: Mapping out a future for ungulate migrations
   Authors: Kauffman, Matthew J.; Cagnacci, Francesca; Chamaillé-Jammes, Simon; Xu, Wenjing; Zuther, Steffen
   Journal: Science
   Year: 2021
   Citations: 84

7. Title: Effects of pulsed resources on the dynamics of seed consumer populations: a comparative demographic study in wild boar
   Authors: Gamelon, Marléne; Touzot, Laura; Baubet, Éric; Veylit, Lara; Sæther, Bernt Erik
   Journal: Ecosphere
   Year: 2021
   Citations: 14

8. Title: Sex differences in condition dependence of natal dispersal in a large herbivore: Dispersal propensity and distance are decoupled
   Authors: Hewison, Aidan Jonathan Mark; Gaillard, Jean Michel; Morellet, Nicolas; Börger, Luca; Focardi, Stefano
   Journal: Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
   Year: 2021
   Citations: 8