I’m an Environmental Biologist and Conservationist.As an eclectic researcher, I apply knowledge and methodologies across diverse habitats and ecosystems, studying both terrestrial and marine species through standard and innovative approaches.Over the past two years, I have been collaborating with the Italian National Research Council – Institute of Research on Terrestrial Ecosystems (CNR-IRET), conducting research on the monitoring of terrestrial fauna, from small to medium-sized mammals and insects, using standard ecological methods such as camera trapping, transects, and bioacoustics. My work combines behavioral and social ecology, exploring the public perception of wildlife and its implications for conservation. More recently, I have been integrating molecular tools, including the use of environmental DNA (eDNA), to complement these approaches.In recent years, I have also been involved in the study and monitoring of marine mammals, applying methods such as visual surveys, acoustic monitoring, and MMO (Marine Mammal Observation). I have participated in LIFE and international research projects in the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, joining offshore scientific expeditions and applying eDNA techniques to study marine biodiversity.Today, one of my main research lines focuses on the use of environmental DNA (eDNA) for biodiversity monitoring. I have tested its application on aquatic matrices for both marine and terrestrial mammals, and I am currently exploring non-conventional matrices such as air and natural passive sampling systems.In parallel, I am passionate about social ecology and citizen science, investigating public perceptions of wildlife and promoting citizen participation in scientific research and environmental awareness.I serve on the executive boards of four Italian associations: Successione Ecologica, Associazione Teriologica Italiana, Gruppo Foca Monaca APS and Citizen Science Italia, where I am involved in science communication, social media management, content creation, and the organization of conferences, seminars, and scientific expeditions.I believe in building strong bridges between science, society, and nature, making research more accessible, inclusive, and capable of inspiring positive change.
Paletto, A., Lagrotteria, A., Ancillotto, L. et al. Atteggiamenti pubblici verso le strategie di gestione dei procioni settentrionali invasivi in ??Italia. Biol Invasions 27 , 174 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-025-03631-3
Lagrotteria, A., Roccatello, S., & Doretto, A. (2025). Contribution of Citizen Science Data on the Evaluation of Local Biodiversity of Benthic Macroinvertebrate Communities. Ecologies, 6(2). https://doi.org/10.3390/ecologies6020031
Samuele Roccatello, Alessandro Lagrotteria, Chiara Andrà, Alberto Doretto,
Bridging science and society: Developing a citizen science biomonitoring approach for river ecosystems in Italy,
Ecological Indicators, Volume 171, 2025, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2025.113199.
Viviano, A., Auster, R.E., Mazza, G. et al. Eurasian beavers in Central Italy: perceptions in the local community. Sci Nat 110, 30 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00114-023-01860-x
Capobianco, G.; Viviano, A.; Mazza, G.; Cimorelli, G.; Casciano, A.; Lagrotteria, A.; Fusillo, R.; Marcelli, M.; Mori, E. “Oops…a Beaver Again!” Eurasian Beaver Castor fiber Recorded by Citizen-Science in New Areas of Central and Southern Italy. Animals 2023, 13, 1699. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13101699
Mori, E, Ferretti, F, Lagrotteria, A, La Greca, L, Solano, E, Fattorini, N. Impact of wild boar rooting on small forest-dwelling rodents. Ecological Research. 2020; 35: 675–681. https://doi.org/10.1111/1440-1703.12113
