Cravino Mol, María Alexandra

Research interests

My research focuses on the study of mammals in Uruguay, with an emphasis on their spatiotemporal patterns in relation to environmental, anthropogenic, and ecological factors. My studies address landscape fragmentation and connectivity, the impact of invasive exotic species, mammal interactions, and the influence of variables such as vegetation structure, land use, and human activities, with a particular focus on the impacts of afforestation in the country. Additionally, I investigate the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem health, including the role of the axis deer as a potential reservoir of the Hepatitis E virus and its impact on native fauna. To achieve this, I combine methods such as camera trap monitoring, molecular analysis of pathogens in wildlife, and ecological modeling. My research also contributes to the design of management and conservation strategies, in collaboration with academic, governmental, and productive sector stakeholders.

Working area

My area of work lies at the intersection of ecology, zoology, and conservation, with a focus on the study of mammals in Uruguay. Through the analysis of spatiotemporal patterns, I investigate how environmental, anthropogenic, and ecological factors influence species distribution, population dynamics, and interactions. My research addresses key issues such as landscape fragmentation and connectivity, the effects of afforestation, and the impact of invasive exotic species on native biodiversity.

Additionally, I study the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem health, considering the role of mammals in disease transmission and ecosystem resilience. A central aspect of my work is the evaluation of the axis deer as a potential reservoir of the Hepatitis E virus and its impact on native fauna. To achieve this, I employ methodological tools such as camera trap monitoring, molecular analysis of pathogens in wildlife, and ecological modeling, generating key information for decision-making in management and conservation.

Through an interdisciplinary approach, I contribute to the development of sustainable management strategies and biodiversity conservation in landscapes undergoing anthropogenic transformations.