Raffaele Lafortezza

Lafortezza Raffaele

Settore disciplinare:  AGR/05

Prof. Raffaele Lafortezza, PhD

Prof. Raffaele Lafortezza's research interests are interdisciplinary in nature and relate to the assessment of driving forces, interactions, and feedback mechanisms underlying ecosystem dynamics at multiple spatial and temporal scales. The overarching goal of his research is to provide natural resource managers and decision makers with geospatial knowledge, tools and indicators that would enable them to become better stewards of healthy and sustainable ecosystems. Solutions to real-world problems require an understanding of complex ecological patterns and processes, which are typically multidimensional and exist at multiple spatial and temporal scales. Dealing with such structured and multi-scaled issues implies the use of quantitative and interdisciplinary approaches. Consequently, his research increasingly involves the development and use of remote sensing tools, including satellite images and laser scanning data (LiDAR), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), multivariate statistical techniques and complex models accounting for uncertainty, and working in a multi-disciplinary setting. During the past 20 years, he has acquired considerable knowledge and experience in global change issues by coordinating a wide range of large-scale projects funded by various organizations worldwide. He has authored and co-authored more than 150 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, including two books on landscape ecology and GIS modelling: “Patterns and Processes in Forest Landscapes” (Springer, 2008) and “Landscape Ecology in Forest Management and Conservation” (HEP; Springer, 2010). He is Associate/Subject Editor of the following scientific journals: “Urban Forestry & Urban Greening” (Elsevier), “Landscape Ecology (Springer), and Ecological Processes (Springer).