David Ferrer Ferrando

Wildlife Ecologist

✉️CONTACT:

davidff16@gmail.com

david.ferrer@uclm.es

About me

Biologist specialised in the study of wildlife, with more than 5 years of professional experience in wildlife monitoring, capture and management, including the design and execution of sampling and fieldwork. Extensive knowledge of camera trapping techniques, telemetry, direct and indirect censuses, and use of GIS, SMART, and CyberTracker tools. Extensive experience in data analysis using R and QGIS, as well as writing scientific documents and publications related to conservation projects. Accustomed to working in demanding field conditions and driving off-road vehicles.

More details

I began my research activity during my Bachelor's degree at the University of Valencia, where, thanks to a collaboration scholarship and an internship, I worked in the ‘Terrestrial Vertebrates’ department with two research groups. During this period, I developed solid skills in fieldwork and data collection for various ecological studies. This experience resulted in my Final Degree Project on the expansion of the monk parakeet, the publication of a study on the relationship between sparrow abundance and resource availability (Bernat-Ponce et al., 2021, Urban Ecosystems), and my participation in long-term monitoring of great tit populations.

During my Master’s degree at IREC, supported by a research start-up grant, I strengthened my analytical skills, particularly in geographic information systems (GIS) and statistical modelling using R, and I expanded my fieldwork experience through the use of telemetry (collaring) and camera trapping.

From 2020 to 2025, I conducted my PhD at the University of Castilla-La Mancha, focused on the transfer of ecological information across different levels of habitat selection (species, population, and individual). Throughout my doctoral research, I contributed to several national and international collaborations. These included: (1) an analysis of the relationship between species distribution at a global scale and local abundance using data from six Mexican felids, in collaboration with UNAM (Charre-Medellín et al., 2023, Ecology & Evolution); (2) the evaluation of methodological and ecological factors affecting abundance–distribution patterns, in collaboration with CIBIO (Portugal), which included the development of an R package for simulation (in preparation) and the use of empirical data from two passerine species in collaboration with the Complutense University of Madrid (Ferrer-Ferrando et al., 2025, Ecography); (3) a comparative study of different data-collection methodologies across habitatselection levels (Ferrer-Ferrando et al., 2023, Science of the Total Environment); (4) and the integration of multiple habitat-selection levels using Bayesian inference and joint-likelihood models (manuscript in preparation), based on data from an international collaboration with the NMU (South Africa).

Technical skills

CAMERA TRAPPING

Monitoring wildlife populations by installing camera traps, studying their distribution patterns and abundance, among many other possible functions.

CENSUS

Collection of population data using transects or fixed points, both nocturnal and diurnal.

TELEMETRY

Capture, tagging, and tracking of animals with GPS devices.

DATA ANALYSIS

Processing of databases for subsequent analysis using different models such as mixed models, hierarchical imperfect detection models, or integrated models, among others.

OUTREACH ACTIVITIES

Transmission of knowledge about wildlife and biodiversity to audiences of all ages through both theoretical and practical activities.

TEACHING

Teaching theoretical classes, practical classes with computers, and field trips with master's and undergraduate students.

Publications

Disentangling the effect of the spatial scale and species spatial pattern on the abundance–suitability relationship.

Ferrer-Ferrando, D. et al., Ecography, 2025.

Camera trapping and telemetry for detecting and quantifying animal interactions: Not anything goes.

Herraiz, C., Ferrer-Ferrando, D., et al., Ecological Indicators, 2024.

The method matters. A comparative study of biologging and camera traps as data sources with which to describe wildlife habitat selection.

Ferrer-Ferrando, D., et al., Science of the Total Environment, 2023.

Fototrampeo en las aulas: Oportunidades de la Ciencia Ciudadana para Contribuir al Conocimiento de la Distribución de los Mamíferos Silvestres.

Murillo, T., Ferrer-Ferrando, D., et al., Ecosistemas, 2025.

[Website & GitHub repository] ecoforge R package: Simulating environments and species for spatial ecological analysis.

Ferrer-Ferrando, D., Tarroso, P., Acevedo, P. R package website and repository, 2026.

Using species distribution modeling to generate relative abundance information in socio-politically unstable territories: Conservation of Felidae in the central western region of Mexico.

Charre-Medellín, J.F.*, Ferrer-Ferrando, D.*, et al., Ecology and Evolution, 2023.

Effect of replacing surface with underground rubbish containers on urban House Sparrows Passer domesticus.

Bernat-Ponce, E., Ferrer-Ferrando, D., et al., Urban Ecosystems, 2022.

Courses & Congress

Courses

Optimizing the Use of R for Ecological Analysis (7th ed.). Asociación Española de Ecología Terrestre (AEET), Spain. 2026 (30h).
Modeling Distribution, Abundance, Demography, and Population Dynamics with R, JAGS, and Nimble (BPA@IREC 2024). Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, Spain. 2024 (30h).
Spatial Data Analysis with R. University of Castilla-La Mancha, Spain. 2022 (15h).
Spatial Conservation Prioritization: Concepts, Methods, and Applications. Research Center in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, InBIO Associate Laboratory, Portugal. 2022 (24h).
Introduction to the study of bats: study methods and conservation. Biosphere Reserve, Sierra de Béjar y Francia, Salamanca, Spain. 2025 (40h).
Communicating Science to the Media. Escuela Internacional de Doctorado, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Spain. 2022 (5h).
Expert on African mammals in sabana ecosystems. Instituto de Conservación y Fauna, Spain. 2024 (100h).
Teaching and disseminating with humour. University of Castilla-La Mancha, Spain. 2024 (20h).
Bayesian Inference in Ecology with R. Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, Spain. 2024 (12h).
Independence and leadership on research. Grupo 9 de Universidades (G-9), Spain. 2024 (20h).
Introductory Course on Research Careers for Postgraduate, Master's and Doctoral Students at the University of Castilla-La Mancha. Biblioteca de la Universidad, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Spain. 2024 (50h).
The art and science of presentations. University of Castilla-La Mancha, Spain. 2024 (20h).
Auto-motivation and productivity. University of Castilla-La Mancha, Spain. 2024 (20h).
Introduction for European projects for PDI and PI. University of Castilla-La Mancha, Spain. 2023 (20h).
Formative expedition in wildlife conservation. NJOVU, Spain/Zambia. 2023 (156h).
Tools for supervising final degree projects. University of Castilla-La Mancha, Spain. 2023 (25h).
Recording and editing educational videos. How to create quality content with free tools. University of Castilla-La Mancha, Spain. 2023 (25h).
Personal wellbeing and teamwork. University of Castilla-La Mancha, Spain. 2023 (20h).
Temporal Data Analysis with R. University of Castilla-La Mancha, Spain. 2022 (15h).
Mammals of Pirinees. University of Zaragoza, Spain. 2022 (50h).
Self-care and emotional regulation for doctoral students. Escuela Internacional de Doctorado, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Spain. 2022 (8h).
First aid. University of Castilla-La Mancha, Spain. 2021 (10h).
Workplace Risk Prevention R+D. University of Castilla-La Mancha, Spain. 2021 (50h).
Design and validation of data collection instruments. University of Cordoba, Spain. 2020 (10h).
Iberian carnivorous mammals: field techniques for their detection, study and conservation. Col·legi oficial de Biòlegs de València, Spain. 2019 (35h).
Handling and maintenance of marine mammals. Sociedad de Gestión del Oceanogràfic de València, S.L., Spain. 2017 (20h).

Congress

Ferrer-Ferrando, D., Fernández-López, J., Venter, J. A., Acevedo, P. Together or mixed? Comparing multi-level habitat selection approaches: independent models by level or hierarchically integrated. Congress: XVII Congreso Internacional Sociedad Ibérica para la Conservación y Estudio de los Mamíferos (SECEM). Date: December 5-8, 2025. Type of participation: Oral. Place of celebration: Évora, Portugal. [International]
Ferrer-Ferrando, D., Tarroso, P., Tellería, J. L., Acevedo, P., Fernández-López, J. Disentangling the relationship between species abundance and suitability: the impact of spatial pattern and resolution. Congress: The International Statistical Ecology Conference. Date: July 15-19, 2024. Type of participation: Poster. Place of celebration: Swansea, United Kingdom. [International]
Sereno-Cadierno, J., Ferrer-Ferrando, D., Alonso-Alonso, P., Pardavila, X. 7 años de murciélagos forestales en las sierras del Sur de Salamanca: De la investigación independiente a la conservación activa. Congress: IX Jornadas de Conservación y Estudio de los Murciélagos (SECEMU). Date: December 6-8, 2024. Type of participation: Oral. Place of participation: Aracena, Spain.
Guerrero-Casado, J., Murillo-Jiménez, T., Barroso, P., Blanco-Aguiar, J. A., Ferrer-Ferrando, D., Pascual-Rico, R., Carpio, J. A., Serrando-Rodríguez, R. El poder de la ciencia ciudadana y el foto-trampeo para alfabetizar sobre carnívoros autóctonos en infantil y primaria. Congress: Reunión del Grupo de Carnívoros Terrestres (CARNib). Date: September 28-29, 2024. Type of presentation: Poster. Place of participation: Aracena, Spain.
Ferrer-Ferrando, D., Jiménez-Peñuela, J., Sereno-Cadierno, J., Pascual-Rico, R. Acercando la fauna a las aulas: talleres prácticos para la formación de a metros en su conocimiento. Congress: III Congreso Internacional ¡Nosotros Proponemos! Ciudadanía, Sostenibilidad e Innovación en la Educación. Date: April 17-20, 2024. Type of participation: Oral. Place of participation: Ciudad Real, Spain. [International]
Sereno-Cadierno, J., Pascual-Rico, R., Ferrer-Ferrando, D., Jiménez-Peñuela, J., Jerez, O. Desarrollo de talleres prácticos para tratar la historia desde una perspectiva biológica. Congress: III Congreso Internacional ¡Nosotros Proponemos! Ciudadanía, Sostenibilidad e Innovación en la Educación. Date: April 17-20, 2024. Type of participation: Oral. Place of participation: Ciudad Real, Spain. [International]
Sereno-Cadierno, J., Fernández-López, J., Sánchez-Martínez, A., Palencia, P., Ferrer-Ferrando, D., Carniato, D., Klaas, M., Montoro, V., Vicente, J., Gabaldón, Ll.,Acevedo, P. Diseño e implementación de un programa de monitorización de ungulados silvestres a nivel regional: el caso de Castilla La Mancha. Congress: XIII Reunión de Ungulados Silvestres Ibéricos (RUSI). Date: October 7-9, 2022. Type of participation: Oral. Place of celebration: Potes, Spain. [International]
Fernández-López, J., Illanas, S., Ferrer-Ferrando, D., Blanco-Aguiar, J. A., Vicente, J., Acevedo, P. Integrating hunting yield data at different resolutions for wild boar abundance modelling. Congress: 13th International Symposium on Wild Boar and Other Suids. Date: September 6-9, 2022. Type of presentation: Oral. Place of presentation: Seva, Spain. [International]
Ferrer-Ferrando, D., Fernández-López, J., Triguero-Ocaña, R., Palencia, P.,Vicente, J., Acevedo, P. Comparative study of resource selection functions and imperfect detection models for describing ungulates habitat selection. Congress: XV Congreso de la Sociedad Española para la Conservación y Estudio de los Mamíferos(SECEM). Date: December, 4-7, 2021. Type of participation: Oral. Place of celebration: Córdoba, Spain.
Ferrer-Ferrando, D., Carpio, J. A., Palencia, P., Pérez-Olivares, J., Acevedo, P.Basic information for sustainable management of Iberian wild goat population from “Parque Natural de Valle de Alcudia y Sierra Madrona”. Congress: XII Reunión de Ungulados Silvestres Ibéricos (RUSI). Date: October 1-2, 2021. Type of participation: Poster. Place of celebration: Vila Real, Portugal. [International]
Ferrer-Ferrando, D., Fernández-López, J., Acevedo, P. Estudio de los patrones de distribución y abundancia de la fauna silvestre a escala local y regional y su relación. Congress: II Congreso Internacional Multidisciplinar de Investigadores en Formación (CIMIF-20). Date: Novembre-December 30-4, 2020. Type of participation: Oral. Place of celebration: Córdoba, Spain. [International]
Ferrer-Ferrando, D., Férnandez-López, J., Triguero-Oacaña, R., Palencia, P.,Vicente, J., Acevedo, P. Comparative study of resource selection functions and imperfect detection models for describing ungulates habitat selection. Congress: XI Reunión de Ungulados Silvestres Ibéricos (RUSI). Date: October 23-24, 2020. Type of participation: Oral. Place of celebration: Madrid, Spain. [International]

Colaborations & Fieldwork

During my professional career over the years, I have had the opportunity to collaborate with a wide variety of institutions and groups. Among them, I would highlight collaborations during my PhD thesis, such as those with the Autonomous University of Mexico, the Complutense University of Madrid (Spain), CIBIO (Portugal), and Nelson Mandela University (South Africa), as well as complementary formation through courses and expeditions, such as the course in Jaca (Spain) and the formative expedition to Zambia.