Enrico Merli

Dr. Enrico Merli

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

21Years (2006-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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25 May 2017 in Journal of Zoology
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Journal Article
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EMEnrico Merli
Enrico Merli
SGStefano Grignolio
Stefano Grignolio
AMAndrea Marcon
Andrea Marcon
MAM. Apollonio
M. Apollonio

1 December 2006 in Mammal Research
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Journal Article
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EMEnrico Merli
Enrico Merli
AMAlberto Meriggi
Alberto Meriggi

14 October 2022 in Animal Behaviour
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Journal Article
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RBRudy Brogi
Rudy Brogi
MAMarco Apollonio
Marco Apollonio
FBFrancesca Brivio
Francesca Brivio
EMEnrico Merli
Enrico Merli
SGStefano Grignolio
Stefano Grignolio

24 May 2023 in Animals
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Journal Article
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EMEnrico Merli
Enrico Merli
LMLUCA MATTIOLI
LUCA MATTIOLI
EBElena Bassi
Elena Bassi
PBPaolo Bongi
Paolo Bongi
DBDuccio Berzi
Duccio Berzi
MAMarco Apollonio
Marco Apollonio
We estimated the current size and dynamics of the wolf population in Tuscany and investigated the trends and demographic drivers of population changes. Estimates were obtained by two different approaches: (i) mixed-technique field monitoring (from 2014 to 2016) that found the minimum observed pack number and estimated population size, and (ii) an individual-based model (run by Vortex software v. 10.3.8.0) with demographic inputs derived from a local intensive study area and historic data on population size. Field monitoring showed a minimum population size of 558 wolves (SE = 12.005) in 2016, with a density of 2.74 individuals/100 km2. The population model described an increasing trend with an average annual rate of increase λ = 1.075 (SE = 0.014), an estimated population size of about 882 individuals (SE = 9.397) in 2016, and a density of 4.29 wolves/100 km2. Previously published estimates of wolf population were as low as 56.2% compared to our field monitoring estimation and 34.6% in comparison to our model estimation. We conducted sensitivity tests to analyze the key parameters driving population changes based on juvenile and adult mortality rates, female breeding success, and litter size. Mortality rates played a major role in determining intrinsic growth rate changes, with adult mortality accounting for 62.5% of the total variance explained by the four parameters. Juvenile mortality was responsible for 35.8% of the variance, while female breeding success and litter size had weak or negligible effects. We concluded that reliable estimates of population abundance and a deeper understanding of the role of different demographic parameters in determining population dynamics are crucial to define and carry out appropriate conservation and management strategies to address human–wildlife conflicts.

6 February 2024 in Mammalian Biology
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Journal Article
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Emiliano MoriEmiliano Mori
Emiliano Mori
AVAndrea Viviano
Andrea Viviano
MFMauro Ferri
Mauro Ferri
LALeonardo Ancillotto
Leonardo Ancillotto
SGStefano Grignolio
Stefano Grignolio
MBMariella Baratti
Mariella Baratti