What is so fascinating about your research area?
Researchers have known for some time that in modern marine ecosystems, diversity is declining.
It is thus crucial to have an improved knowledge of reference states for present-day marine ecosystems. By looking at the recent fossil record, we can reconstruct ecosystem status and its natural variability during time with limited or null anthropogenic pressure (latest Quaternary), thus reconstructing the ecosystem reference state (i.e., historical baselines).
Which central message should your students remember?
I hope that students will remember that knowledge of the Quaternary sedimentological and fossil records is needed to provide the context of ecosystems and thus allow a better evaluation of their present-day status.
Why did you decide to do research and teach at our Faculty?
During the summer of 2021, I was involved in a sampling campaign with Martin Zuschin and collaborators in the northeastern Adriatic basin. In addition, we often meet during the EGU annual meeting in Vienna. Given these premises and a strong affinity for our research goals, a visiting professorship at the Faculty of Earth Sciences, Geography, and Astronomy in Vienna will allow me to strengthen our collaboration on both sides of academic activity, i.e., research and teaching.
Which three publications characterise your work?
- Scarponi, D., Alexis R., Nawrot, R., Cheli, A., Kowalewski M. 2023. Assessing biotic response to anthropogenic forcing using mollusc assemblages from the Po-Adriatic System (Italy). Geological Society Special Publication, 529, (in press).
- Scarponi, D., Azzarone, M., Kowalewski, M., Huntley, J.W. 2017. Surges in trematode prevalence linked to centennial-scale flooding events in the Adriatic. Scientific Reports, 7(1), 5732.
- Scarponi, D., Azzarone, M., Kusnerik, K., ...Drexler, T.M., Kowalewski, M. 2017 Systematic vertical and lateral changes in quality and time resolution of the macrofossil record: Insights from Holocene transgressive deposits, Po coastal plain, Italy. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 87, 128–136.
Thank you & welcome to our Faculty!
- Daniele Scarponi is Associate Professor at the Department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences of the University of Bologna. His research encompasses biological and geological sciences, with particular focus on paleoecology, taphonomy, stratigraphic paleiobiology and Conservation Paleobiology. His key topics include stratigraphic paleobiology, taphonomy, diversity of Mediterranean Conoidea, and conservation paleogeology.
- Working group / host professor: Department of Palaeontology, Prof. Dr. Martin Zuschin
- Course in the summer term: VU Case studies in Conservation Paleobiology
- Homepage: www.unibo.it/sitoweb/daniele.scarponi/en
