My research originates from the idea that understanding the link among biodiversity, ecological functions, and ecosystem services is an essential point for applied ecology, in order to assess and predict the true environmental consequences of human activities.
My PhD research is focused on ecosystem services provided by dung beetles, belonging to Scarabaeoidea super-families (Coleoptera). Through the manipulation of faeces, during the feeding and the nesting processes, dung beetles carry out several ecological functions (e.g. secondary seed dispersal, nutrient cycling, parasite suppression and plant growth enhancement). Many of these ecological functions provide valuable ecosystem services such as soil fertilization, biological pest control, etc. (Nichols et al. 2008).
Here it's possible to have an idea of my field activities:
