Prof. Dr. GIANLUIGI BACCHETTA | Plant biology | Lifetime achievement Award

Prof. Dr. GIANLUIGI BACCHETTA , University of Cagliari, Italy

Gianluigi Bacchetta 🌿 is a Full Professor at the University of Cagliari, Italy, and Adjunct Professor at the University of Tehran 🇮🇷. A renowned expert in plant biology and Mediterranean biodiversity, he directs the Conservation Centre of Biodiversity and Germplasm Bank of Sardinia 🌱. With over 700 scientific publications 📚 and leadership roles in various botanical and ecological networks 🌍, he has significantly advanced conservation biology. He also serves on multiple editorial boards ✍️ and leads EU-funded research projects. Passionate about protecting Mediterranean ecosystems 🌾, Bacchetta is a key figure in both academic and applied biodiversity conservation. 🧬🌺

Profesessional Profile:

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✅ Summary of Suitability

Prof. Gianluigi Bacchetta exemplifies excellence in scientific research, leadership, and applied conservation. His prolific academic output, influential roles in international networks, and practical efforts in biodiversity preservation strongly position him as an ideal candidate for this prestigious award.

🔹 Education & Experience 

🎓 Education

• 🎓 BSc in Life Sciences, University of Cagliari (1996)

• 🌄 Master in Landscape Planning, University of Cagliari (1997)

• 🌿 Master in Vegetation Analysis, Marche Polytechnic University (2000)

• 🧪 PhD in Geomorphology and Geobotany, Marche Polytechnic University (2000)

• 🌍 European PhD in Plant Biology, University of Valencia (2002)

💼 Experience

• 👨‍🏫 Lecturer, Marche Polytechnic University (2000–2002)

• 👨‍🔬 Assistant Professor, University of Cagliari (2002–2006)

• 👨‍🏫 Associate Professor, University of Cagliari (2006–2015)

• 👨‍🔬 Full Professor, University of Cagliari (2015–present)

• 🌿 Director, Hortus Botanicus Karalitanus (2015–2023)

• 🧬 Director, Conservation Centre of Biodiversity & BG-SAR

• 🌎 Adjunct Professor, University of Tehran

🔹 Professional Development 

Prof. Bacchetta has played a pivotal role in international scientific communities 🌐. He has led and participated in numerous EU-funded projects (LIFE+, Interreg, Erasmus+), fostering cross-border collaboration 🤝. As editor and reviewer for top-tier journals 📰, he influences the direction of conservation science. He is president of GENMEDA 🌿, and part of leading Mediterranean botanical councils and initiatives 🏛️. His work bridges academic, governmental, and practical conservation sectors 🔬📊. Through his leadership, hundreds of students and researchers have benefited from his mentorship and global scientific network 👨‍🏫💡.

🔹 Research Focus 

Gianluigi Bacchetta’s research revolves around plant diversity 🌿, conservation biology 🛡️, and geobotany 🗺️, particularly within Mediterranean ecosystems. He investigates island biogeography 🏝️, phytoclimatology 🌦️, and phytogeography 🌍, aiming to safeguard endemic and threatened flora 🌸. He works on seed banking 🌱, habitat restoration 🔄, and agro-biodiversity conservation 🌾. His integrative approach merges taxonomy, ecology, and policy for sustainable biodiversity management 🌳. With over 30 years of field research and international collaborations 🤝, he is a leading voice in biodiversity protection, shaping both academic research and practical conservation across Europe and beyond 🧬📈.

🔹 Awards & Honors 

🏆 Awards & Honors

• 📚 Published over 700 scientific papers, many in top international journals

• 🌍 President of GENMEDA (Mediterranean Plant Conservation Network)

• 🏅 Deputy President, Scientific Council of Conservatoire Botanique National Corse

• 🧭 Scientific Council Member, Conservatoire Botanique National Méditerranéenne

• 🌿 Member, Sardinian Commission for Agrodiversity

• 🏛️ Member, INITIATIVE PIM for Mediterranean Island Conservation

• 🧪 Principal Investigator for multiple EU-funded research projects

• ✍️ Editor and board member for several international scientific journals

Publication Top Notes

1. An Annotated Checklist of the Italian Vascular Flora

• Authors: F. Conti, G. Abbate, A. Alessandrini, C. Blasi

• Publisher: Palombi Editore

• Year: 2005

• Summary: This foundational work presents a comprehensive inventory of Italy’s vascular plant species, serving as a critical reference for botanists and conservationists. It was developed under the auspices of the Italian Ministry for the Environment and involved extensive collaboration among regional and taxonomic experts.

2. An Updated Checklist of the Vascular Flora Native to Italy

• Authors: F. Bartolucci, L. Peruzzi, G. Galasso, A. Albano, A. Alessandrini, et al.

• Journal: Plant Biosystems

• Year: 2018

• Summary: This publication updates the previous checklist by documenting 8,195 taxa (6,417 species and 1,778 subspecies) across 1,092 genera and 152 families. It provides detailed information on the distribution and conservation status of native vascular plants in Italy.

3. An Updated Checklist of the Vascular Flora Alien to Italy

• Authors: G. Galasso, F. Conti, L. Peruzzi, N.M.G. Ardenghi, E. Banfi, L. Celesti-Grapow, et al.

• Journal: Plant Biosystems

• Year: 2018

• Summary: This checklist catalogs 1,597 alien taxa (species, subspecies, and hybrids) found in Italy, detailing their distribution across 725 genera and 152 families. It distinguishes between archaeophytes and neophytes and provides insights into the regional occurrence of these non-native species.

4. Integrazioni alla Checklist della Flora Vascolare Italiana

• Authors: F. Conti, A. Alessandrini, G. Bacchetta, E. Banfi, G. Barberis, F. Bartolucci, et al.

• Journal: Natura Vicentina, Volume 10, Pages 5–74

• Year: 2007

• Summary: This work provides updates and additions to the 2005 checklist, incorporating new records, taxonomic revisions, and corrections. It reflects ongoing efforts to maintain an accurate and current account of Italy’s vascular plant diversity.

5. Using MaxEnt Modeling to Predict the Potential Distribution of the Endemic Plant Rosa arabica Crép. in Egypt

• Authors: M. Abdelaal, M. Fois, G. Fenu, G. Bacchetta

• Journal: Ecological Informatics, Volume 50, Pages 68–75

• Year: 2019

• Summary: This study employs MaxEnt modeling to predict the current and future distribution of Rosa arabica, a critically endangered plant endemic to Egypt’s Saint Catherine Protectorate. Using 32 occurrence points and 22 environmental variables, the model forecasts habitat suitability under various climate scenarios, aiding in conservation planning.

📝 Conclusion

Prof. Bacchetta stands out as a visionary researcher and leader in plant conservation. His blend of scientific rigor, international collaboration, mentorship, and environmental impact makes him an outstanding and deserving recipient of the Best Researcher Award. His contributions have shaped policy, protected ecosystems, and advanced academic excellence on a global scale.