Ramiro Ripa
-
Wiss. Mitarb.
ramiro.ripaProfessur für Landschaftsökologie und Landschaftsplanung
Institut für Landschaftsökologie und Ressourcenmanagement
IFZ für Umweltsicherung
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32
D-35392 Giessen
Tel : 0641 / 99-37122
Fax : 0641 / 99-37169
I’m a biologist working on the analysis of large-scale citizen science data using deep learning and AI-based tools. My research also includes public engagement through citizen science, the ecology of invasive, incipient and neonative species, and the study of ecological and evolutionary processes related to invasion process. I have experience in field ecology, evolutionary genomics, data-driven modelling and the development of educational materials for biodiversity conservation.
I am currently working on three main research areas:
-
AI-based analysis of citizen science images: I use deep learning and other computational tools to analyse large sets of citizen science photographs, with the main goal of inferring plant phenology at continental scales. This involves developing workflows for processing heterogeneous image data and extracting ecological signals that support large-scale comparisons, monitoring efforts and conservation planning.
-
Biological Invasions: I work with invasion databases to identify emerging patterns and trends that help contextualize species movements and conservation challenges. I also contribute to projects on incipient invasions and neonative species, focusing on the environmental and human-driven factors shaping these processes, and on understanding the conditions that influence how these species spread and how they can be managed.
-
Citizen science and public engagement: I am interested in how people perceive, participate in and engage with biodiversity through citizen science initiatives. This includes the development of educational materials, outreach strategies and communication tools, as well as addressing the challenges of integrating large and variable citizen science datasets into ecological and conservation research.
Ongoing Projects
-
invaPICS - Analyse der phänologischen Einnischung invasiver Arten mit Citizen Science Fotobeobachtungen (DFG 2025-2028).
-
Recent Invasions in Patagonia: New Challenges of Global Change (PICT-2021-GRF- TI-00357).
-
Exploring the distribution of Vaquitas de San Antonio (Coccinellidae) in Argentina through a citizen science initiative" (Funded by the National Geographic).
Completed Projects
-
R&D Project: Adaptations to recurrent fires in Patagonia foster the invasion of the exotic conifer Pinus radiata. Funded by: The Rufford Foundation. https://www.rufford.org/projects/ramiro_ripa. Director: Dr. Ramiro Ripa.
-
PICT-2021-I-A-01170 “Conservation in the Genomic Era of Key and Especially Valuable Conifers in Patagonia and Yungas”. Director: Andrea C. Premoli.
-
PICT-2020-SERIEA-I-GRF “The Invasion of Harmonia axyridis in Argentina: Progress, Distribution, and Potential Impacts on the Biodiversity of Native Coccinellidae''. Director: Dr. Victoria Werenkraut.
-
PICT-2019-149 "Ecological speciation: a dynamic process of adaptive divergence". Director: Andrea C. Premoli.
-
PICT-2017- 0396 "The impact of exotic conifer invasion on Patagonian ecosystem functions under different global change scenarios". Director: Dr. Jorgelina Franzese.
-
PICT-2014-3466 "Synergistic invasion-fire effects: positive feedback and rapid adaptation of exotic conifers in northwestern Patagonia". Directors: Dr. Estela Raffaele, Dr. Jorgelina Franzese.
-
U.E. Biologic Projects "Trends and projections of climate change and anthropogenic activity in North Patagonian ecosystems towards 2100: The Southwest Transect 2100 (TSO2100)". INIBIOMA. Director: Dr. Esteban Balseiro. Expt: Nº 3334/16.
-
Project "Extension strategies in the prevention of Chagas disease" will be carried out within the framework of the program "Health and the environment: to know, prevent and improve our environment". National University of San Luis. Res. N° 1227/12, EXP-UNSL N°12869/13 (2012-2013).
Scientific journal publications and reports
-
Ripa, R. R., Klinger, Y. P., & Franzese, J. (2026). The rarest invaders: systematic global evidence for the conservation-invasion paradox in plants. npj Biodiversity, 5(1), 21.
-
Baudino, F., Ripa, R. R., Franzese, J., & Werenkraut, V. (2025). Using citizen science as a research prioritization tool to detect co‐occurrences of the invasive species Harmonia axyridis. Insect Conservation and Diversity.
-
Vázquez, M.S., Ripa, R.* (corresponding author), Scorolli, A., Zalba, S. (2025). Seasonal dynamics of range expansion in South American thrushes. Movement Ecology, 13(1):7.
-
Franzese, J., Ripa, R.R.* (corresponding author), Blackhall, M., Raffaele, E. (2025). Cones of invasive pines are significant firebrands in Patagonia. Biological Invasions, 27(1).
-
Franzese, J., Ripa, R.R., Raffaele, E. (2025). Litter context shapes seed persistence of an invasive pine in Patagonia. Forest Ecology and Management, 581, 122565.
-
Juri, G., Ripa, R.R.* (corresponding author), Premoli, A.C. (2024). Plastomes of Nothofagus reflect a shared biogeographic history in Patagonia. Journal of Heredity.
-
Ripa, R. R., Roncal, J., Linhart, Y. B., Franzese, J., Raffaele, E., & Premoli, A. C. (2023). Signs of rapid evolution in an invasive forest species: Drivers of the incipient neutral, adaptive and phenotypic divergence. Forest Ecology and Management, 546, 121370.
-
Franzese, J., & Ripa, R. R. (2023). Common juniper, an overlooked conifer with high invasion potential in protected areas of Patagonia. Scientific Reports, 13(1), 9818.
-
Ripa, R. R., Franzese, J., Premoli, A. C., & Raffaele, E. (2023). Fire-related cues improve germination and seedling vigor of the post-fire off-spring of Pinus radiata, a serotinous invader tree. New Forests, 54(2), 363-375.
-
Vazquez S.; Ripa R. R., Rodriguez-Cabal M. M., Amico G. C. (2022). Potential distribution and conservation implications of key marsupials for the Patagonian temperate forest. Mammalian Biology, 1-12.
-
Ripa, R. R., Franzese, J., Premoli, A. C., & Raffaele, E. (2020). Increased canopy seed-storage in post-fire pine invaders suggests rapid selection mediated by fire. Basic and applied ecology, 45, 76-85.
In preparation / Under review:
-
Franzese, J., Fernández, N.V., Ebrecht, L., Urrutia-Estrada, J. & Ripa, R.R. Biotic interactions expand the recruitment niche of the incipient invader Juniperus communis across a precipitation gradient in Patagonia. Submitted to Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution and Systematics.
-
Ripa, R.R., Baudino, F. & Werenkraut, V. The influence of urbanization on insect perceptions: A cross-local study among Argentine students. In preparation. Target journal: Current Research in Insect Science.
-
Ripa, R.R., Lozano, V., Eckstein, R.L., Kleinebecker, T., Welk, E., & Klinger, Y.P. (in preparation). Invasive plants reset their reproductive calendar to the climate of their destination. Target journal: Nature Ecology & Evolution.
-
Ripa, R.R., Premoli, A.C., Franzese, J., & Klinger, Y.P. (in preparation). The un-natural history of the remarkable pine: a global genomic survey of the Conservation–Invasion Paradox. Target journal: Diversity and Distributions.
-
Ripa, R.R., Lozano, V., Eckstein, R.L., Kleinebecker, T., Welk, E., & Klinger, Y.P. (in preparation). Deep learning recovers continental-scale plant reproductive phenology from citizen-science photographs. Target journal: Ecography.
-
Baudino, F., Klinger, Y.P., Heidrich, L., Zizka, A., & Ripa, R.R. (in preparation). Urbanization reshapes the global balance between pollinators and herbivores on plants. Target journal: Nature Ecology & Evolution.
Technical Reports and Educational Materials
-
Field Guide to Argentine Ladybirds (2023): A richly illustrated visual guide for both print and mobile formats, featuring high-resolution photographs, diagnostic keys, brief species accounts (taxonomy, habitat, and ecology), and user-friendly layout aimed at supporting educators, citizen scientists, and field naturalists.
-
Printable and mobile catalogs of native ladybirds (2021–2024): A series of downloadable PDFs organized by family and geographic region, each containing concise identification aids (common and scientific names, diagnostic characters, distribution maps), ecological notes, and habitat preferences—designed as classroom supplements and field tools for teachers, students, and citizen scientists.
-
Development and management of Proyecto Vaquitas digital platforms and outreach materials: Led full design and programming of the website (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, CMS integration) with downloadable catalogs and reporting forms, optimized SEO, and maintained system functionality since 2021; concurrently created educational outreach content and managed Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter accounts—developing editorial calendars, designing graphics, implementing engagement strategies, and analyzing performance metrics (2021–2024).
-
Final Technical Report: Andean Patagonian Forest Pilot Site. Raffaele, Estela; Franzese, Jorgelina; Ripa, Ramiro Rubén. 2013-10-15. Scientific/technical report for the Argentinean National Observatory of Land Degradation and Desertification.
-
Brief manual for post-fire forest restoration in the Comarca Andina del Paralelo 42. Pissolito Clara, Arpigiani Daniela, Bianchi Emilio, Fernández Emilia, Franzese Jorgelina, Guerrido Claudia, Gobbi Miriam, Juri Gabriela, Lopez Alaniz Piren, Naón Santiago, Pastorino Mario J., Raffaele Estela, Ripa Ramiro, Ontiveros Ramiro. ISBN 978-987-88-2436-9.
|
Period |
Activity |
|
Since October 2025 |
Postdoctoral Researcher at the Division of Landscape Ecology and Landscape Planning, Justus Liebig University Giessen |
|
2021–2023 |
Postdoctoral Researcher at INIBIOMA (San Carlos de Bariloche) and IDEVEA (San Rafael). Project: “Hybridization and divergence among sympatric woody species in Cupressaceae and Nothofagaceae of Patagonia: a genomic-adaptive approach”, funded by FONCyT |
|
2018–2021 |
Management team member, Scientific Coordinator and Biotechnology Teacher at Qmark Institute, Qmark Foundation, San Carlos de Bariloche |
|
2016–2021 |
PhD in Biology at the National University of Comahue, San Carlos de Bariloche. Thesis: “Fire as a rapid selection agent in the invasion of the exotic conifer Pinus radiata : an ecological–molecular analysis”. Doctoral fellowships: FONCyT (2016–2019) and CONICET (2019–2020) |
|
2019 |
Research internship at Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada. Project: “Adaptations to recurrent fires in Patagonia foster the invasion of the exotic conifer Pinus radiata ” |
|
2018 |
Postgraduate and extracurricular training in Practical Science for elementary school teachers, Institute of Education, San Carlos de Bariloche |
|
2012–2016 |
Degree in Molecular Biology at the National University of San Luis. Thesis: “Search for intraspecific and interspecific markers for ants of the species Acromyrmex lobicornis Emery 1887 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)” |
- Ripa, R.R. (2026). (At least) 89 paradoxes: first global systematic assessment of simultaneously invasive and threatened vascular plants. Oral presentation at the symposium The Conservation-Invasion Paradox – Rethinking Native and Alien Species in Conservation Management , European Congress of Conservation Biology (ECCB 2026), Leiden, The Netherlands, 6–10 July 2026.
- Urrutia, J.; Ebrecht, L.; Fernández, N.; Ripa, R. R.; Franzese, J. 2024. Ecobiology of recruitment of Juniperus communis, an incipient invader in Andean Patagonia (Argentina). XXXV Annual Meeting of the Chilean Botanical Society, XXX Annual Meeting of the Chilean Ecological Society, and LXVII Annual Meeting of the Chilean Biological Society. November 5–8, 2024. University of La Serena, La Serena, Chile. Poster presentation.
- Franzese J, Ripa, R. R. 2023. High invasive potential of juniper in Andean Patagonia. XXX Argentine Ecology Meeting. October 2023. Bariloche, Río Negro, Argentina. Oral presentation.
- Werenkraut V., Baudino F., Ripa, R. R., Nuñez Sada M.F., Ammassari L., Frasca C. and González G. Citizen Science for biodiversity and exotic species monitoring. XXX Argentine Ecology Meeting. October 2023. Bariloche, Río Negro, Argentina. Oral presentation.
- Werenkraut V., Baudino F., Ripa, R. R., Nuñez Sada M.F., Ammassari L., Frasca C. and González G. Proyecto Vaquitas: beginnings, present and future. VII National Congress on Biodiversity Conservation. April 2023. Puerto Iguazú, Misiones, Argentina. Oral presentation by invitation.
- Werenkraut V., Baudino F., Ripa, R. R., Nuñez-Sada M.F., Frasca C. & González G. Contributions of citizen science to the knowledge of Coccinellidae (Coleoptera) in Argentina. XI Argentine Congress and XII Latin American Congress of Entomology. October 2022 La Plata, Argentina. Oral presentation.
- Ripa, R. R.; Werenkraut, Victoria; Baudino, Florencia; Franzese, Jorgelina. Analysis of biotic interactions in introduced species: how useful is citizen science? XI Argentine and XII Latin American Congress of Entomology. ISSN Online 2953-4178; p. 241, 2022.
- Ripa, R. R.; Verteramo, Gino R., Baudino, Florencia & Werenkraut, Victoria What do we know about introduced arthropods in Argentina? A proposal for a collaborative approach to the evaluation and study of exotic species. XI Argentine Congress and XII Latin American Congress of Entomology. ISSN Online 2953-4178; p. 240, 2022.
- Maria Florencia Nuñez Sada; Ripa, R. R.; Florencia Baudino; Luciana L. Ammassari; Victoria Werenkraut. Media and social media in citizen science projects: experience of Proyecto Vaquitas. First Latin American Congress of Citizen Science. ISBN 978-987-1364-30-5; p. 24, 2021.
- Werenkraut, Victoria; Baudino, Florencia; Ripa, R. R.; Nuñez, Florencia; Ammassari, Luciana; Morales, Bárbara; Lazarte, Osmar; Loguercho, Melina; González, Guillermo. Proyecto Vaquitas: a citizen science initiative in Argentina. Tucuman. 2021. Congress. XXIX Argentine Ecology Meeting.
- Raffaele E, Franzese J, Pissolito C, Ripa, R. R. 2021. Control of exotic conifer invasion: a challenge for restoration in invaded areas of northwestern Patagonia. Tucuman. 2021. Congress. XXIX Argentine Ecology Meeting.
- Ripa, R. R., Franzese J., Raffaele, E. & Premoli, A. C. Genetics of Pinus radiata, the most widely planted forestry species, in its original and invaded range related to fire. Argentina. Bariloche. 2019. International Conference TOPWOOD + LIA Forestia: Adapting Forest ecosystems and wood products to biotic and abiotic stress.
- Ripa, R. R., Franzese J., Blackhall, M., Raffaele E. Aerial seed bank of radiata pine in post-fire invaded areas of Andean Patagonia. Argentina. Mar del Plata. 2018. Book. Abstracts. Congress. XXVIII Argentine Meeting of Ecology.
- Ripa, R. R., Franzese J., Premoli A.C., Raffaele E. The contribution of radiata pine cones as fuel in crown fires: implications for post-fire invasion. Argentina. Mar del Plata. 2018. Book. Abstracts. Congress. XXVIII Argentine Meeting of Ecology.
- Franzese J, Ripa, R. R., Alvear P, Mayoral A, Raffaele E. 2018. Four years of a restoration practice in Patagonia: control of pine encroachment and revegetation with a native arboreal. IV Regional Workshop on Restoration Rehabilitation in the Arid Diagonal-I International Workshop on Ecological Restoration. Salta.
- Franzese J, Ripa, R. R., Blackhall M, Pissolito C, Raffaele E. 2018. Pine encroachment control as a restoration practice in Patagonia: fine fuel analysis. IV Regional Workshop on Restoration Rehabilitation in the Arid Diagonal of Argentina and I International Workshop on Ecological Restoration.
- Raffaele E, Franzese J, Ripa, R. R., Moreyra A, Pissolito C, Blackhall M. 2018. A new land degradation in Patagonia: positive feedbacks between fire and pine encroachment. I Jornada Nacional de la Evaluación Integrada de la Desertificación: Socio-environmental Approaches and Methodologies.
- Ripa, R. R., Franzese J., Premoli A.C., Raffaele E. Increase germination response and seedling vigor in the post-fire invasion of the exotic conifer Pinus radiata D. Don 1836. XXXVI Jornadas Argentinas de Botánica; Argentine Society of Botany; ISSN: 0373-580X; vol. 52, pág. 145, 2017.
- Ripa, R. R., Franzese J., Premoli A.C., Raffaele E. Aerial seed bank of Pinus radiata plantations and post-fire invaded areas in northern Patagonia. XXXVI Jornadas Argentinas de Botánica; Argentine Society of Botany; ISSN: 0373-580X; vol. 52, pág. 145-146, 2017.