Publications by authors named "F Marucco"
The ongoing expansion of wolf () populations in Europe has led to a growing demand for up-to-date abundance estimates. Non-invasive genetic sampling (NGS) is now widely used to monitor wolves, as it allows individual identification and abundance estimation without physically capturing individuals. However, NGS is resource-intensive, partly due to the elusive behaviour and wide distribution of wolves, as well as the cost of DNA analyses.
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- Developing accurate estimates for low-density, elusive species like wolves is difficult, but researchers created an integrated spatial model to assess the population in south-central Italy using data from a 2020-2021 sampling campaign.
- The study found that approximately 74.2% of the area was occupied by wolves, estimating a total population of around 2,557 individuals, though simulations indicated a slight tendency to underestimate this number.
- To enhance future accuracy of estimates, the researchers recommend increasing sample areas for genetic testing and presence-absence data to at least 30%, which could also be relevant for similar studies on other wide-ranging species.
Wolves have large spatial requirements and their expansion in Europe is occurring over national boundaries, hence the need to develop monitoring programs at the population level. Wolves in the Alps are defined as a functional population and management unit. The range of this wolf Alpine population now covers seven countries: Italy, France, Austria, Switzerland, Slovenia, Liechtenstein and Germany, making the development of a joint and coordinated monitoring program particularly challenging.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe wolf (Canis lupus) is among the most controversial of wildlife species. Abundance estimates are required to inform public debate and policy decisions, but obtaining them at biologically relevant scales is challenging. We developed a system for comprehensive population estimation across the Italian alpine region (100,000 km ), involving 1513 trained operators representing 160 institutions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWildlife dispersal directly influences population expansion patterns, and may have indirect effects on the spread of wildlife diseases. Despite its importance to conservation, little is known about dispersal for several species. Dispersal processes in expanding wolf () populations in Europe is not well documented.
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