Who I am

I am a conservation scientist working on smart decision-making in biodiversity conservation. I split my time equally between the University of Bern and the University of Milan (Italy).

I am broadly interested in anything that can help bridge the implementation gap between research and practice. I mostly focus on conservation of highly endangered species, adopting a range of ecological modelling, planning and decision-analytic tools. I am equally interested in general questions and local implementation. My research is usually a mix of both.

What I do

My mission as a conservation scientist is to support and advise planning for conservation programs worldwide, be they Italian turtles, Mauritian passerines or Pacific kingfisher. Conservation reintroductions and translocations are a recurring theme in my work.

In Bern, I am focusing in particular on optimal management of invasive slider turtles and recovery of sihek (Guam kingfisher).

Here are some other current and recent case studies and collaborations around the world:

  • Translocation of Dupont’s lark (Chersophilus duponti) in Spain
  • Adaptive management of hihi (Notiomystis cincta) in New Zealand
  • Conservation of yellow-bellied toad (Bombina pachypus) in Italy
  • Assisted colonization of sihek (Todiramphus cinnamominus) in the Pacific
  • Optimal releases of Montseny brook newt (Calotriton arnoldi) in Catalonia
  • Priority area-setting for little bustard (Tetrax tetrax) in Spain
  • Supplementary feeding of olive white-eyes (Zosterops chloronothos) in Mauritius
  • Mitigation of pathogenic Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans in Europe
  • Captive breeding of European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis) in Italy

Through these projects, I seek to understand recurrent challenges to conservation planning and develop methods to match needs and knowledge. I am especially interested in the following broad topics:

  • Endangered species management
  • Translocations and reintroductions (with the IUCN Conservation Translocations Specialist Group)
  • Risk assessment and mitigation
  • Adaptive management and monitoring
  • Cognitive biases and fallacies
  • Conservation decision-making in any shape and color!

Get in touch!

I am keen to hear from prospective students and collaborators. I view conservation science as a multidisciplinary field that requires biological, mathematical and socio-economic skills, so I am always interested in working with people from different backgrounds – whether you are a biologist, a mathematician or a psychologist, we can work together for conservation. I am also always interested in assisting managers with planning and problem solving, anywhere in the world.

Find out more

Google Scholar https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=r-q_GzQAAAAJ

GitHub https://github.com/canessas

ResearchGate https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Stefano-Canessa-2