Francesca Parrini

Francesca Parrini is an Associate Professor and currently serves as Head of the School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in South Africa. Originally from Italy, she moved to South Africa to complete her PhD at Wits, which focused on the foraging ecology of sable antelope in a small insular reserve. This research sparked her enduring interest in how animals cope in constrained environments, which has become the central theme of her academic career.

Professor Parrini's research primarily focuses on large mammal ecology, with particular emphasis on space use patterns and conservation in fragmented landscapes. She integrates remote sensing techniques with traditional behavioral ecology methods to understand animal adaptations across multiple spatial scales, from individual foraging decisions to landscape-level habitat selection. Her work addresses critical questions about how animals in small reserves cope with environmental constraints.

Her research spans several key areas: behavioral ecology of mammalian herbivores (particularly African ungulates), resource selection and spatial ecology in fragmented habitats, impacts of environmental factors including climate change on wildlife, conservation strategies for threatened species, and wildlife-human interactions in conservation contexts. Professor Parrini has studied how water availability, vegetation structure, and interspecific competition influence large herbivore distribution and behavior, and has investigated physiological and behavioral adaptations to extreme environments.

Professor Parrini's publication record demonstrates consistent research output across diverse ecological topics. Her recent work shows a strong focus on resource selection modeling, habitat suitability for endangered species, climate change impacts on wildlife, and human-wildlife interactions. She frequently employs remote sensing techniques alongside traditional field methods, reflecting her integrative approach to ecological research. Her work spans multiple African ecosystems and addresses both fundamental ecological questions and applied conservation challenges.

Throughout her career, Professor Parrini has collaborated with international researchers across various African ecosystems. Her work aims to provide crucial insights for wildlife conservation in a rapidly changing world, informing strategies to maintain diverse herbivore assemblages in constrained environments.

Professor Parrini's research has practical implications for wildlife management and conservation, especially in the face of habitat fragmentation and climate change. She has made significant contributions to understanding how reintroduced species establish home ranges, how animals adapt to resource limitations, and how conservation strategies can be improved for threatened species in fragmented landscapes.