COZZOLI FRANCESCO
Position: PRIMO RICERCATORE
Type: T.I.
Location: Lecce
Research Lines: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change, Conservation, Contamination of ecosystems, Ecological processes
Education and key qualifications
12/02/2016 PhD in Spatial Ecology “Modelling Biota-Sediment Interactions in Estuarine Environments”
NIOZ- Yerseke Spatial Ecology / Radboud University/ The Netherlands
Supervisors: Prof. Peter MJ Herman: Prof. Tjeerd J Bouma; Prof. Tom Ysebaert
2009 Master in Ecology “On the Allometric Scaling of Resource Intake Under Limiting Conditions”
Biology/ Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies / University of Salento, Italy
Current position(s)
2023 – Present Senior Researcher
Institute of Research on Terrestrial Ecosystems/National Research Council of Italy/Italy
Previous position(s)
2019 – 2022 Researcher
Institute of Research on Terrestrial Ecosystems/National Research Council of Italy/Italy
2014 – 2019 Postdoctoral Researcher
Biology/ Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies / University of Salento, Italyì
Research fields
My research focuses on the implications of individual energetics for large-scale ecological dynamics, including ecosystem engineering, community organization, and spatial resource use. I adopt a multidisciplinary approach that integrates ecological theory, Earth System modeling, and field and mesocosm experiments, primarily using aquatic invertebrates as model organisms.
This work allows me to combine elements of energetic and behavioral ecology, zoology, hydrology, geology, climatology, and social sciences to understand mechanisms and predict the co-evolution of ecological, physical, and social components of ecosystems.
My interests span both theoretical advancements and practical applications in environmental management and sustainable infrastructure planning. Throughout my career, I have gained extensive experience in field data collection, designing experimental tools, and conducting complex factorial experiments in both laboratory and field settings. These practical skills are complemented by a deep understanding of ecological theory and advanced expertise in statistical and dynamic modeling.