I am a community ecologist with a strong interest in data analysis and computational ecology. I use and develop tools and methods rooted in network theory to understand how different layers of information could contribute to the observed pattern of diversity.
I believe in a modern, open ecological science based on cooperation and the free use of data and methods.
Half Data Scientist Half Data Analyst, 100% ecologist!
Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences (DEB), Tuscia University of Viterbo, Italy.
email: bruno.bellisario@unitus.it
OrcID
Scholar
26 February 2026
In this study we highlight that traditional protected area zoning often fails to capture the spatial needs of freshwater macroinvertebrates. Although we did not found direct link between high-protection zones and existing biodiversity hotspots, we discovered that Integral Reserves (IRs) play a crucial role in recovery. Specifically, while taxonomic richness dropped by 41% near human settlements, it rebounded by 46% once the river flowed through an IR. We suggest that zoning should be designed more strategically to leverage natural river autodepuration and better protect aquatic ecosystems.
Chiara Giusto, Adriana Bellati, Francesco Cerini, Bruno Bellisario, Daniele Canestrelli (2026) Zoning effects on the community structure of freshwater benthic macroinvertebrates in a Mediterranean National Park (Central Apennine). Global Ecology and Conservation, e04128
Data science is the art of programming code and combines it with statistical knowledge to create insights from data.
However, one of the biggest problem in data science is that it often replaces understanding of the mechanisms underlying a specific phenomenon we are studying.
Applying a tool is not the hardest part, but deciding which to apply based on specific hypotheses rooted in the deep knowledge of what we are managing surely it is.
That's why we need algorithmically-trained ecologists rather than ecologically-trained data scientists.
Focusing on a specific area doesn’t mean you can only do that one thing, but simply that you are best at doing it.
Networks are powerful tools for visualizing and analyzing complex relationships in ecological and evolutionary systems. They help uncover patterns of species associations, being real interactions (food webs) or shared environmental preferences (species co-occurrence networks), as well as shared traits, gene flow, or phylogenetic relationships. By representing systems as interconnected nodes and links, networks provide insights into the structure, stability, and function across scales, from genes to ecosystems.
Functional ecology explores how the traits of organisms influence their performance, interactions, and roles within ecosystems, offering key insights for conservation and ecosystem management. I study forms and functions in birds and fish to understand the extent to which measurable characteristics—such as size, growth rate, or behavior—help explain how species respond to environmental change, contribute to ecosystem processes, and shape community dynamics.
Data analysis is essential in ecology for uncovering patterns, testing hypotheses, and making informed decisions about biodiversity and ecosystem health. I use and develop statistical and computational tools to ecological data to model species distributions and understand patterns of complex ecological interactions.
Interactive web apps are transforming how ecological data is explored, shared, and understood. These tools allow users to visualize complex datasets, run models, and test scenarios in real time—making ecological research more accessible and engaging. From biodiversity mapping to ecosystem monitoring, web apps enhance communication between scientists, policymakers, and the public, supporting data-driven decisions and collaborative conservation efforts. I use R and Shiny to create standalone web applications to disseminate the results of my research.
Navigate and download decades of literature about the presence of fish species reported on Mediterranean seagrasses.
Chiara Giusto, Adriana Bellati, Francesco Cerini, Bruno Bellisario, Daniele Canestrelli (2026)
Roberta Cimmaruta, Azzurra Lattanzi, Bruno Bellisario, Giuseppe Nascetti (2025)
Bruno Bellisario, Azzurra Lattanzi, Roberta Cimmaruta (2025)
David Costantini, Simone Messina, Julia Weiss, Suzanne Tomassi, Cindy Cosset, Suzan Benedick, Bruno Bellisario, David P. Edwards (2025)
Bruno Bellisario, Azzurra Lattanzi, Roberta Cimmaruta (2025)
Azzurra Lattanzi, Bruno Bellisario, Roberta Cimmaruta (2024)
Bruno Bellisario, Massimiliano Cardinale, Ivan Maggini, Leonida Fusani, Claudio Carere (2023)
Luisa Massaccesi, Sara Marinari, Bruno Bellisario, Laura Cancellieri, Rosita Marabottini, Goffredo Filibeck (2023)
Mario Santoro, Bruno Bellisario, Fernando Ángel Fernández‐Álvarez, Fabio Crocetta, Marialetizia Palomba (2023)
Bruno Bellisario, Massimiliano Cardinale, Ivan Maggini, Leonida Fusani, Claudio Carere (2022)
Mario Santoro, Bruno Bellisario, Valentina Tanduo, Fabio Crocetta, Marialetizia Palomba (2022)
Roberta Cimmaruta, Silvia Giovannini, Jessica Bianchi, Marco Matiddi, Bruno Bellisario, Giuseppe Nascetti (2022)
Mario Santoro, Bruno Bellisario, Fabio Crocetta, Barbara Uberti, Marialetizia Palomba (2021)
Bruno Bellisario, Federica Camisa, Chiara Abbattista, Roberta Cimmaruta (2021)
Bruno Bellisario, Maria Fais, Sofia Duarte, Pedro Vieira, Carlos Canchaya, Filipe Costa (2021)
Bruno Bellisario, Maria Fais, Sofia Duarte, Pedro Vieira, Carlos Canchaya, Filipe Costa (2021)
Bruno Bellisario, Federica Camisa, Chiara Abbattista, Roberta Cimmaruta (2021)
Mario Santoro, Doriana Iaccarino, Bruno Bellisario (2020)
Maria Fais, Bruno Bellisario, Sofia Duarte, Pedro Emanuel Vieira, Ronaldo Sousa, Carlos Alberto Canchaya, Filipe Oliveira Costa (2020)
Bruno Bellisario, Federica Camisa, Chiara Abbattista and Roberta Cimmaruta (2019)
Bruno Bellisario (2018)
Paolo Cipriani, Gian Luca Sbaraglia, Michela Paoletti, Lucilla Giulietti, Bruno Bellisario et al. (2018)
Paolo Cipriania, Gian Luca Sbaraglia, Marialetizia Palomba, Lucilla Giulietti, Bruno Bellisario et al. (2018)
Federica Camisa, Chiara Abbattista, Bruno Bellisario et al. (2017)
Dario Angeletti, Roberta Cimmaruta, Claudia Sebbio, Bruno Bellisario, Claudio Carere & Giuseppe Nascetti (2017)
Valentina Cafaro, Dario Angeletti, Bruno Bellisario, Armando Macali, Claudio Carere & Jessica Alessi (2016)
Bruno Bellisario, Federica Camisa, Giuseppe Nascetti, Loretta Lattanzi & Roberta Cimmaruta (2016)
Paolo Cipriani, Virginia Acerra, Bruno Bellisario et al. (2016)
Simonetta Mattiucci, Paolo Cipriani, Michela Paoletti, Valentina Nardi, Mario Santoro, Bruno Bellisario, Giuseppe Nascetti (2015)
Chiara Pesciaroli, Paolo Barghini, Fulvio Cerfolli, Bruno Bellisario, Massimiliano Fenice (2015)
Paolo Cipriani, Giorgio Smaldone, Virginia Acerra, Luisa D'Angelo, Aniello Anastasio, Bruno Bellisario et al. (2015)
Simonetta Mattiucci, Roberta Cimmaruta, Paolo Cipriani, Pablo Abaunza, Bruno Bellisario, Giuseppe Nascetti (2015)
Bruno Bellisario, Fulvio Cerfolli, Giuseppe Nascetti (2014).
Simonetta Mattiucci, Paolo Cipriani, Stephen C. Webb, Michela Paoletti, Federica Marcer, Bruno Bellisario, David I. Gibson, Giuseppe Nascetti (2014)
Claudia Sebbio, Claudio Carere, Giuseppe Nascetti, Bruno Bellisario et al. (2014)
Mario Santoro, Simonetta Mattiucci, Paolo Cipriani, Bruno Bellisario et al. (2014)
Bruno Bellisario, Claudio Carere, Fulvio Cerfolli, Dario Angeletti, Giuseppe Nascetti, Roberta Cimmaruta (2013)
Fulvio Cerfolli, Bruno Bellisario, Corrado Battisti (2013)
Mario Santoro, Simonetta Mattiucci, Thierry Work, Roberta Cimmaruta, Valentina Nardi, Paolo Cipriani, Bruno Bellisario, Giuseppe Nascetti (2013)
Bruno Bellisario, Fulvio Cerfolli, Giuseppe Nascetti (2012)
Bruno Bellisario, Fulvio Cerfolli, Giuseppe Nascetti (2011)
Bruno Bellisario, Claudia Novelli, Fulvio Cerfolli, Dario Angeletti, Roberta Cimmaruta, Giuseppe Nascetti (2010)
Bruno Bellisario, Fulvio Cerfolli, Giuseppe Nascetti (2011)
Bruno Bellisario, Fulvio Cerfolli, Giuseppe Nascetti (2010)
Bruno Bellisario, Fulvio Cerfolli, Giuseppe Nascetti (2009)
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