Luca Marazzi

About

Ph.D. research title: "Biodiversity and biomass of algae in the Okavango Delta (Botswana), a subtropical wetland"

Principal Supervisor: Dr. Anson W. Mackay; Secondary Supervisor: Dr. Vivienne Jones

The Okavango Delta is one of WWFs 200 key eco-regions, and therefore an important site for geographical study. Algae living in the water column (phytoplankton) or resuspended in the shallow floodplains (benthos) are crucial primary producers at the base of the food chain. Their communities are very sensitive to environmental changes and one of the first groups to respond to potential pressures on wetlands, such as the hydrological modifications and declines in water quality arising from increasing tourism. Phytoplanktonic algae have never been systematically studied in the Okavango Delta before. This project investigates their distribution patterns in terms of biomass and biodiversity with regards to environmental variables and seasonality in the Delta.

Self-funded part-time Ph.D. project. Funding is acknowledged for fieldwork activities from the Royal Geographical Society, RGS-IBG 2009.

Last poster presentation: "What drives growth and biodiversity of algae in the Okavango Delta?" - http://conference.ifas.ufl.edu/INTECOL/presentations/Posters/Luca%20INTECOL_final.pdf

UCL Department of Geography
University College London
Pearson Building, Gower Street

London WC1E 6BT.

Enquiries: +44 (0)20 7679 0527

Fax: +44 (0)20 7679 0565

http://ucl.academia.edu/LucaMarazzi

Publications

• Owen, M.J., Drake, K.R., Maslin, M.A., Comberti, C., Marazzi, L., Mitchell, L.T. (2012), 'Structural vulnerability and potential catastrophic loss scenarios for North Sea oil and gas infrastructure', A report by the UCL Environment Institute for JLT Reinsurance Brokers Limited. 220 pp.
• McGregor J., Busani M., Marazzi L. “Case Study Zimbabwe” in “Foresight: Migration and Global Environmental Change (2011) Final Project Report”. The UK Government Office for Science, London.
• Bosello F., Marazzi L. (2008) “Italian Alps and climate change: elements of environmental and economic vulnerability and possible adaptation strategies” in “Climate change and adaptation strategies in Italy, an economic valutation”, Carraro C. Ed. (Il Mulino) (in Italian)
• Marazzi L., Caserini S.,  Lapi M., Crovetto G.M., Ballarin Denti A. (2006) “Estimate of wood consumption for domestic heating in Lombardy: survey methodology and environmental implications”. La Rivista dei Combustibili, n. 5-2006 (in Italian)

• Bigano A., De Miglio R., Galeotti, M., Gargiulo M., Goria A., Lavagno E., Marazzi L., Sferra F., Zanoni D. (2008) “Adoption and application of the MARKAL-TIMES model for the creation of a mitigation plan for the Lombardy region”. Foundation Eni Enrico Mattei - Report Kyoto Lombardia project. (in Italian)

• Marazzi L., Caserini S., Monti G., Terranova D., Crovetto G.M., Lapi M., Guariso G., Ballarin Denti A. (2006) “Survey on wood use for domestic heating in Lombardy”. Foundation Lombardy for the Environment. Report Kyoto Lombardia project and PARFIL project. (in Italian)

• Marazzi L. (2005) “Estimate of the greenhouse gases emissions of the Parabiago municipality” in Dal Santo & Colombo "Report on the state of the environment of the Parabiago municipality" (in Italian)

• Caserini S., Marazzi L., Crovetto G.M., Ballarin Denti A., Lapi M., Bosco C., Fraccaroli A., Fossati G., Guariso G., Gurrieri G.L. (2005). Conference paper “An extensive survey on wood combustion for domestic heating in Lombardy: implications for PM emission inventory”. 14th US-EPA International Emission Inventory Conference. Las Vegas, USA 11-14 April 2005

Presentations

• Marazzi L., Mackay A.W. Poster presentation at 9th INTECOL International Wetlands Conference: “What drives growth and biodiversity of algae in the Okavango Delta”. Orlando Florida (USA), June 3-8 2012 – http://conference.ifas.ufl.edu/INTECOL/presentations/Posters/Luca%20INTECOL_final.pdf
• Marazzi L. “Diatoms vs Green Algae in the Okavango Delta”. British Diatomists Meeting, Norfolk – 29-30 October 2011.
• Marazzi L. "Algae in the Okavango Delta: investigating the 'invisible' life". UCL Research Poster competition 2011 http://www.geog.ucl.ac.uk/about-the-department/news/news-archive-2011/march-2011/further-success-in-ucl-graduate-school-research-poster-competition/.
• Marazzi L., Mackay, A.W., Ramberg L. “Phytoplankton biomass and biodiversity in the Okavango Delta”. Flood Pulsed Wetlands – International Symposium. Maun, Botswana, 1-5 February 2010.
• Domptail S., Marazzi L., Costa L., Garcia-Llorente M., Prior G., Proenca V.. Poster presentation at Diversitas OSC2 “Educating scientists for interdisciplinary research on  biodiversity and ecosystem management”. Cape Town, South Africa, 13-16 October 2009.

• Marazzi L., Bosello F., Mackay A.W.. Poster presentation for Summer School "Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services" “Study of the impacts of climate change on ecosystem services: environmental and economic aspects”. Peyresq, France, 2-14 September 2008.

• Marazzi L. “Migrations in the climate change era” seminar, LIPU – Italian League for the Protection of Birds. Cesano Maderno (Milan), Italy, 4 October 2007. (in Italian)

• Esposito S., Manfreda S., Marazzi L.,  Mari L., Marzadri A., Nicotina L., Pellachini C., Rubol S. “Imitation of Sustainable Behaviors”.  Presentation of results of the Working group in Theoretical Ecology. Summer School “Pathways to Environmental Sustainability”, Venice, 15 June 2007

• Marazzi L. “The ongoing climate change: impacts on man and ecosystems”. Public conference “Kyoto calls Milan: climate is changing, what about you?”. University of Milan Bicocca, Italy, 16 February 2007

Poster presentations at “PM2006” Second National Congress on Atmospheric Particulate. Firenze, Italy 11-13 September 2006 (in Italian)

• a) Marazzi L., Caserini S., Bosco C., Lapi M., Crovetto G.M, Ballarin Denti A. “Estimate of wood consumption for domestic heating in Lombardy and of consequent PM emissions”

• b) Marazzi L., Bosco C., Petraccone S., Bolzacchini E., Lapi M., Ballarin Denti A. “On-line review of research projects on particulate matter in Italy and abroad”.

• Marazzi L. “The changing climate and air pollution” public conference “Society, Economy and Environment in Parabiago”. Parabiago (Milan), Italy, 26 February 2006 (in Italian)

• Marazzi L. “Emissions de particules par la combustion du bois en Lombardie (Italie)”. Technique conference - winter smog in Quebec. Montrèal, Canada  (in French in teleconference) 27 October 2005

• Marazzi L. “An extensive survey on wood combustion for domestic heating in Lombardy: implications for PM emission inventory” presentation and conference paper 14th US-EPA International Emission Inventory Conference.  Las Vegas, USA, 11-14 April 2005

Work experience and education

Research:

1) September 2012 - ongoing

• Mouseion Limited - www.mouseion.com
• Senior Academic Consultant for Geography
• Writing critical analyses of seminal texts in Geography to foster the education of Undergraduate students as engaged citizens in the global South
• Advisor on the Geography education programme development

2)    September 2008 – ongoing

• Environmental Change Research Centre, University College London
• Self-funded part-time Ph.D. in Geography: “Biodiversity and biomass of algae in the Okavango Delta (Botswana), a subtropical wetland”.

3)    March 2007 - July 2008

• Fondazione ENI Enrico Mattei and Euro-Mediterranean Centre for Climate Change
  • Reviews of the impacts of climate change on ecosystem goods and services, agriculture and the alpine environment.
  • Application of the MARKAL-TIMES model to build a CO₂ emission reduction plan for the Lombardy Region.

4)    February 2004 – February 2007

• Fondazione Lombardia per l’Ambiente
  • Estimation of Particulate Matter emissions from domestic wood combustion in Lombardy via an extensive survey of 33,000 students’ families in 250 schools.
  • Review of publications on Climate Change and research projects on Air Quality
  • Project management of the Kyoto-Lombardy and PARFIL research programmes on climate change and fine particle emissions in the Lombardy region.

Teaching:

1)    2010 - ongoing

• Geography and Mathematics A-level and GCSE private tutoring, also in collaboration with Campbell Harris College and Greater London Tutors

2)    2009 - ongoing

• Undergraduate tutoring at UCL - Human Ecology, Physical Geography, Statistics for Environmental Geographers, Global Environmental Change

3)    April - May 2004

• Participatory lessons with primary school teachers on energy and climate - Kids4Energy project coordinated by the Italian Association of Environmental Sciences

Writing and other work experience

1)    February 2009 – August 2011

• Free-lance writer at Responding to Climate Change - http://www.rtcc.org/2010/html/hot-topics.html

2)    June – September 2009 and April – July 2010

• Outreach executive at Responding to Climate Change and Climate Change TV
• Involvement of sponsors in publication for delegates at United Nations conferences

3)    December 2003 and December 2009

• Participation in the 9th and 15th UNFCCC Conference of the Parties (COP9, COP15) as collaborator of Responding To Climate Change (RTCC).

Volunteering:

Italian Red Cross first aid team member (and leader) and ambulance driver (1999-2006).

Organization of conferences and seminars on climate change and of a course on environmental issues directed to civil servants working in local authorities (2004-2008).