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4. Ramiro Crego

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Biography

I am an ecologist from Argentina. My research interests are primarily in the fields of applied animal ecology and conservation biology. I address critical research questions by integrating a combination of field data collection (e.g., trapping, camera traps, field surveys, telemetry data), geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing (e.g., Landsat, MODIS, Sentinel products), and advanced modelling techniques (e.g., Bayesian hierarchical models, machine learning). Key deliverables from my research include peer-reviewed publications, reports, and online web applications, with a goal of helping managers make science-based decisions to promote sustainability and conservation of species.‍

Research Interests

Ecology, conservation biology, vertebrate ecology and natural history, biological invasions, movement ecology, restoration ecology, hierarchical models, species distribution models, biocultural conservation, environmental ethics.

Research Grants

	Project	Funding Body	Start Date	End Date	Award
	Hindsight is 20/20, but foresight is even better: Developing a ‘mass market’ approach to conservation scenario modeling with Google Earth Engine	Other: Not Listed	01-AUG-20	31-MAR-22	€195,041.00
	Estimating Wildlife Actifity using Camera Traps.	Other: Not Listed	01-MAY-24	01-MAY-25	€34,947.00
	An Ecological Toolbox to Inform Livestock Grazing Allotments Across Wildlife Conservancies in Kenya	Other: Not Listed	01-JAN-24	31-DEC-27	€641,281.00
	Prioritization of control sites for invasive American mink for the conservation of reproducing ground-nesting coastal birds, Southern Chile.	Other: Not Listed	01-JAN-20	04-DEC-23	€10,000.00

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Publications

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Book Chapters

	Year	Publication
	(2023)	'The eyes of the tree: Applying field environmental philosophy to tackle conservation problems at Long Term Socio-ecological Research sites' Crego RD, Ward N, and Rozzi R (2023) 'The eyes of the tree: Applying field environmental philosophy to tackle conservation problems at Long Term Socio-ecological Research sites' In: Field Envirionmental Philosophy: Education for Biocultural Conservation. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-23368-5: Springer Cham. [Details]
	(2018)	'Fur trade and the biotic homogenization of sub-polar ecosystems' Crego RD, Jiménez JE, and Rozzi R (2018) 'Fur trade and the biotic homogenization of sub-polar ecosystems' In: From biocultural homogenization to biocultural conservation. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-99513-7: Springer Cham. [Details]

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Peer Reviewed Journals

	Year	Publication
	(2023)	'Ranging behaviours across ecological and anthropogenic disturbance gradients: a pan-African perspective of giraffe ( Giraffa spp . ) space use' Michael Butler Brown;Julian T. Fennessy;Ramiro D. Crego;Christen H. Fleming;Joel Alves;Karolina Brandlová;Stephanie Fennessy;Sara Ferguson;Morgan Hauptfleisch;Pavla Hejcmanova;Rigardt Hoffman;Peter Leimgruber;Symon Masiaine;Kylie McQualter;Thomas Mueller;Ben Muller;Arthur Muneza;David O'Connor;Adriaan Jacobus Olivier;Thomas Rabeil;Steven Seager;Jenna Stacy-Dawes;Louis van Schalkwyk;Jared Stabach; (2023) 'Ranging behaviours across ecological and anthropogenic disturbance gradients: a pan-African perspective of giraffe ( Giraffa spp . ) space use'. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, [DOI] [Details]
	(2023)	'Combining species distribution models and moderate resolution satellite information to guide conservation programs for reticulated giraffe' R. D. Crego;J. Fennessy;M. B. Brown;G. Connette;J. Stacyâ¿Dawes;S. Masiaine;J. A. Stabach; (2023) 'Combining species distribution models and moderate resolution satellite information to guide conservation programs for reticulated giraffe'. Animal Conservation, [DOI] [Details]
	(2023)	'Wild herbivores enhance resistance to invasion by exotic cacti in an African savanna' Harry B. M. Wells;Ramiro D. Crego;Jesse M. Alston;S. Kimani Ndung'u;Leo M. Khasoha;Courtney G. Reed;Abdikadir A. Hassan;Samson Kurukura;Jackson Ekadeli;Mathew Namoni;Peter S. Stewart;Duncan M. Kimuyu;Amelia A. Wolf;Truman P. Young;Tyler R. Kartzinel;Todd M. Palmer;Jacob R. Goheen;Robert M. Pringle; (2023) 'Wild herbivores enhance resistance to invasion by exotic cacti in an African savanna'. Journal of Ecology, [DOI] [Details]
	(2022)	'Increasing Anthropogenic Disturbance Restricts Wildebeest Movement Across East African Grazing Systems' (2022) 'Increasing Anthropogenic Disturbance Restricts Wildebeest Movement Across East African Grazing Systems'. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, [DOI] [Details]
	(2022)	'Spatial segregation between wild ungulates and livestock outside protected areas in the lowlands of Nepal' (2022) 'Spatial segregation between wild ungulates and livestock outside protected areas in the lowlands of Nepal'. PLOS ONE, [DOI] [Details]
	(2022)	'Implementation of species distribution models in Google Earth Engine' Ramiro D. Crego;Jared A. Stabach;Grant Connette; (2022) 'Implementation of species distribution models in Google Earth Engine'. Diversity and Distributions, [DOI] [Details]
	(2022)	'Cascading effects of a disease outbreak in a remote protected area' (2022) 'Cascading effects of a disease outbreak in a remote protected area'. Ecology Letters, [DOI] [Details]
	(2022)	'Less Is More: Lowering Cattle Stocking Rates Enhances Wild Herbivore Habitat Use and Cattle Foraging Efficiency' (2022) 'Less Is More: Lowering Cattle Stocking Rates Enhances Wild Herbivore Habitat Use and Cattle Foraging Efficiency'. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, [DOI] [Details]
	(2021)	'Enhancing Animal Movement Analyses: Spatiotemporal Matching of Animal Positions with Remotely Sensed Data Using Google Earth Engine and R' Ramiro D Crego;Majaliwa M. Masolele;Grant Connette;Jared Stabach; (2021) 'Enhancing Animal Movement Analyses: Spatiotemporal Matching of Animal Positions with Remotely Sensed Data Using Google Earth Engine and R'. Remote Sensing, [DOI] [Details]
	(2021)	'Moving through the mosaic: identifying critical linkage zones for large herbivores across a multipleâ¿use African landscape' Ramiro D. Crego;Harry B. M. Wells;Kimani S. Ndungâ¿¿u;Lauren Evans;Redempta Njeri Nduguta;Muthiuru A. Chege;Michael B. Brown;Joseph O. Ogutu;Gordon O. Ojwang;Julian Fennessy;David Oâ¿¿Connor;Jenna Stacy-Dawes;Daniel I. Rubenstein;Dino J. Martins;Peter Leimgruber;Jared A. Stabach; (2021) 'Moving through the mosaic: identifying critical linkage zones for large herbivores across a multipleâ¿use African landscape'. Landscape Ecology, [DOI] [Details]
	(2021)	'Gradientes Climáticos y su alta influencia en los ecosistemas terrestres de la Reserva de la Biosfera Cabo de Hornos, Chile' Francisco Aguirre;Francisco A. Squeo;David López;Ramiro D. Grego;Brian Buma;Danny Carvajal;Ricardo Jaña;Gino Casassa;Ricardo Rozzi; (2021) 'Gradientes Climáticos y su alta influencia en los ecosistemas terrestres de la Reserva de la Biosfera Cabo de Hornos, Chile'. Anales del Instituto de la Patagonia, [DOI] [Details]
	(2021)	'Colaboración científica con la Armada de Chile en estudios ornitológicos a largo plazo en el archipiélago Diego Ramírez: primer monitoreo del ciclo anual del ensamble de aves en la isla Gonzalo' (2021) 'Colaboración científica con la Armada de Chile en estudios ornitológicos a largo plazo en el archipiélago Diego Ramírez: primer monitoreo del ciclo anual del ensamble de aves en la isla Gonzalo'. Anales del Instituto de la Patagonia, [Details]
	(2021)	'Un centinela para el monitoreo del cambio climático y su impacto sobre la biodiversidad en la cumbre austral de América: la nueva red de estudios a largo Plazo Cabo de Hornos' (2021) 'Un centinela para el monitoreo del cambio climático y su impacto sobre la biodiversidad en la cumbre austral de América: la nueva red de estudios a largo Plazo Cabo de Hornos'. Anales del Instituto de la Patagonia, [Details]
	(2021)	'Experimental evidence that effects of megaherbivores on mesoherbivore space use are influenced by species' traits' (2021) 'Experimental evidence that effects of megaherbivores on mesoherbivore space use are influenced by species' traits'. Journal of Animal Ecology, [DOI] [Details]
	(2020)	'UNEXPECTED LACK OF EFFECT OF THE INVASIVE AMERICAN MINK ON NESTING SURVIVAL OF FOREST BIRDS' (2020) 'UNEXPECTED LACK OF EFFECT OF THE INVASIVE AMERICAN MINK ON NESTING SURVIVAL OF FOREST BIRDS'. Ornitología Neotropical, [Details]
	(2020)	'Spatiotemporal dynamics of wild herbivore species richness and occupancy across a savannah rangeland: Implications for conservation' (2020) 'Spatiotemporal dynamics of wild herbivore species richness and occupancy across a savannah rangeland: Implications for conservation'. Biological Conservation, [DOI] [Details]
	(2020)	'Nest-site selection and breeding success of passerines in the worldâ¿¿s southernmost forests' (2020) 'Nest-site selection and breeding success of passerines in the worldâ¿¿s southernmost forests'. PeerJ, [DOI] [Details]
	(2019)	'Breeding strategies of open-cup-nesting birds in sub-Antarctic forests of Navarino Island, Chile' (2019) 'Breeding strategies of open-cup-nesting birds in sub-Antarctic forests of Navarino Island, Chile'. Revista Chilena de Historia Natural, [DOI] [Details]
	(2019)	'New records of invasive mammals from the sub-Antarctic Cape Horn Archipelago' (2019) 'New records of invasive mammals from the sub-Antarctic Cape Horn Archipelago'. Polar Biology, [DOI] [Details]
	(2018)	'The eyes of the tree: perceiving, monitoring, understanding, and countering biological invasions in times of quick biocultural homogenization' (2018) 'The eyes of the tree: perceiving, monitoring, understanding, and countering biological invasions in times of quick biocultural homogenization'. Magallania, [Details]
	(2018)	'Potential niche expansion of the American mink invading a remote island free of native-predatory mammals' Ramiro D. Crego;Jaime E. Jiménez;Ricardo Rozzi; (2018) 'Potential niche expansion of the American mink invading a remote island free of native-predatory mammals'. PLOS ONE, [DOI] [Details]
	(2018)	'Macro- and micro-habitat selection of small rodents and their predation risk perception under a novel invasive predator at the southern end of the Americas' (2018) 'Macro- and micro-habitat selection of small rodents and their predation risk perception under a novel invasive predator at the southern end of the Americas'. Mammal Research, [DOI] [Details]
	(2017)	'Native-predator-invasive-prey trophic interactions in Tierra del Fuego: the beginning of biological resistance?' (2017) 'Native-predator-invasive-prey trophic interactions in Tierra del Fuego: the beginning of biological resistance?'. Ecology, [DOI] [Details]
	(2016)	'First record of vespula vulgaris (Linnaeus 1758) (hymenoptera: Vespidae); on navarino island, Chile | Primer registro de Vespula vulgaris (Linnaeus 1758) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) en la isla Navarino, Chile' Cárcamo, J.R.;Contador, T.;Crego, R.D.;Jordán, N.I.;Schüttler, E.;Gañán, M.;Jiménez, J.E.;Rozzi, R.;Massardo, F.;Kennedy, J.H.; (2016) 'First record of vespula vulgaris (Linnaeus 1758) (hymenoptera: Vespidae); on navarino island, Chile | Primer registro de Vespula vulgaris (Linnaeus 1758) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) en la isla Navarino, Chile'. Gayana, [DOI] [Details]
	(2016)	'A synergistic trio of invasive mammals? Facilitative interactions among beavers, muskrats, and mink at the southern end of the Americas' Crego, R.D.;Jiménez, J.E.;Rozzi, R.; (2016) 'A synergistic trio of invasive mammals? Facilitative interactions among beavers, muskrats, and mink at the southern end of the Americas'. Biological Invasions, [DOI] [Details]
	(2015)	'Expansión de la invasión del Visón Norteamericano (Neovison vison) en la Reserva de la Biosfera de Cabo de Hornos, Chile' Crego RD, Jiménez JE and Rozzi, R (2015) 'Expansión de la invasión del Visón Norteamericano (Neovison vison) en la Reserva de la Biosfera de Cabo de Hornos, Chile'. Anales Del Instituto De La Patagonia, [Details]
	(2014)	'Field environmental philosophy: Ecology and ethics in ltser-chile and ilter networks | Filosofía ambiental de campo: Ecología y ética en las redes LTER-Chile e ILTER' Rozzi, R.;Massardo, F.;Contador, T.;Crego, R.D.;Méndez, M.;Rijal, R.;Cavieres, L.A.;Jiménez, J.E.; (2014) 'Field environmental philosophy: Ecology and ethics in ltser-chile and ilter networks | Filosofía ambiental de campo: Ecología y ética en las redes LTER-Chile e ILTER'. Bosque, [DOI] [Details]
	(2014)	'Potential impact of the Alien American Mink (Neovison vison) on Magellanic woodpeckers (Campephilus magellanicus) in Navarino Island, Southern Chile' Jiménez, J.E.;Crego, R.D.;Soto, G.E.;Román, I.;Rozzi, R.;Vergara, P.M.; (2014) 'Potential impact of the Alien American Mink (Neovison vison) on Magellanic woodpeckers (Campephilus magellanicus) in Navarino Island, Southern Chile'. Biological Invasions, [DOI] [Details]
	(2014)	'Modeling meadow distribution for conservation action in arid and semi-arid Patagonia, Argentina' Crego, R.D.;Didier, K.A.;Nielsen, C.K.; (2014) 'Modeling meadow distribution for conservation action in arid and semi-arid Patagonia, Argentina'. Journal of Arid Environments, [DOI] [Details]
	(2014)	'Climate change and conservation implications for wet meadows in dry Patagonia' Crego, R.D.;Nielsen, C.K.;Didier, K.A.; (2014) 'Climate change and conservation implications for wet meadows in dry Patagonia'. Environmental Conservation, [DOI] [Details]
	(2012)	'Capturing and radio ear-tagging neonatal vicuñ as' Donadio, E.;Blanco, M.R.;Crego, R.D.;Buskirk, S.W.;Novaro, A.J.; (2012) 'Capturing and radio ear-tagging neonatal vicuñ as'. Wildlife Society Bulletin, [DOI] [Details]
	(2009)	'A technique to estimate density and monitor populations of the Spotted Nothura(Nothura maculosa), In grasslands habitats | Una técnica para la estimación de la densidad & el monitoreo de poblaciones de inambú común (Nothura maculosa) en ambientes de pastizal' Crego, R.D.;Macri, I.N.; (2009) 'A technique to estimate density and monitor populations of the Spotted Nothura(Nothura maculosa), In grasslands habitats | Una técnica para la estimación de la densidad & el monitoreo de poblaciones de inambú común (Nothura maculosa) en ambientes de pastizal'. Hornero, [Details]

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Professional Activities

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Honours and Awards

	Year	Title	Awarding Body
	2014	National Scholarship and Distinguished Placement Student Award.	University of North Texas, Denton, Texas, USA.
	2011	Alan Wolf Outstanding M.S. Student of the Year Award for 2011.	Cooperative Wildlife Research Laboratory, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale, Illinois, USA.
	2008	Joaquín V. González award for being among the 10 best GPAs in College	Municipality of La Plata, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

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Professional Associations

	Association	Function	From / To
	Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Conservation Ecology Center, National Zoological Park, USA	Research Associate	01-MAR-23 /
	School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences, University College Cork, Ireland	Lecturer	17-APR-23 /

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Employment

	Employer	Position	From / To
	Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Conservation Ecology Center, National Zoological Park, Front Royal, VA, USA.	Post-Doctoral Research Fellow	01-AUG-18 / 31-MAR-22
	Giraffe Conservation Foundation, Florida, USA.	Data Analyst	01-JUL-22 / 31-OCT-22
	RENECO International Wildlife Consultant, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.	Post-Doctoral Researcher	01-OCT-23 / 31-MAR-24
	School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences, University College Cork, Ireland	Lecturer	17-APR-23 /

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Education

	Year	Institution	Qualification	Subject
	2012	Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Department of Forestry, Carbondale, IL, USA.	M.S.	Forestry
	2017	University of North Texas, Department of Biological Sciences, Denton, TX, USA.	Ph.D.	Biology
	2008	College of Natural Sciences and Museum Studies, National University of La Plata, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina.	B.S.	Biology specialised in Zoology

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Languages

	Language	Reading	Writing	Speaking
	English	Fluent	Fluent	Fluent
	Spanish	Fluent	Fluent	Fluent

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Teaching Activities

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Teaching Interests

Conservation and environmental sciences are becoming central topics in current times and important courses for most disciplines. As a professional in the ecological sciences, I am passionate about the possibility to educate students about contemporary issues in conservation and environmental sciences. My goal as a teacher is to cultivate a wonder for the natural world, promote critical thinking, and provide students with the philosophical and quantitative tools that will help them approach real world problems and succeed as professionals.