Meet the newest EBCC Board member: Mattia Brambilla

At the EBCC conference in Riga, we welcomed three new enthusiastic Board members. We wish to express our gratitude to Mattia Brambilla (Italy), Dimitrije Radišić (Serbia) and Nicholas Strebel (Switzerland) for their decision to join the EBCC Board, and help us guide the work of the EBCC in the upcoming years. First, we would like to introduce you to Mattia Brambilla (Università degli Studi di Milano, Department of Environmental Science and Policy), his reserach background and what he hopes to achieve within his first term as a Board member.

Mattia, what is your research field, what are you focusing on within your institution?

I am an ecologist, mostly working on animal ecology (mainly birds, of course!) with a conservation focus, as well as on ecosystem functioning and services. I am particularly interested in mountain and farmed environments, and on the effects of climate change and human activities on populations, communities and ecosystems.

What motivated you to join the EBCC Board?

I’ve always appreciated the EBCC efforts in bringing together ornithologists engaged in monitoring schemes throughout Europe, initially as an ‘external’ observer and then as Italian delegate. Having participated in several monitoring and research initiatives in Italy, I hope to be able to provide some support at the European level.

What would you like to focus on within the EBCC?

First, on how we could find new ways to capitalise on the wealth of data collected through PECBMS, leveraging it for conservation through dedicated research efforts. I am also keen to understand how we could further improve the accuracy of our monitoring schemes and trend estimates based on data collected through different approaches. Big topics, I know!

What do you see as opportunities and challenges for your first EBCC Board period?

Being part of such a great network in a more active way represents a great chance to learn from different experiences and perspectives, to bring my contribution, and to enjoy collaborating with nice people I really appreciate. At the same time, there are so many potentially interesting and important things to do, that we should carefully prioritise the allocation of time and energy, and this particularly applies to me as a newcomer with many other pre-existing commitments.

Anything else you would like to share regarding your role in the EBCC?

I am curious and excited about this new adventure. I will be engaged in the research group: this will soon provide the opportunity to actively contribute to the use of data for conservation-oriented applied science, but in general I have no doubt that being part of the Board will be a great experience in a fantastic group of people!