Matej Bartol
Papers
1
Total Citations
33
H-Index
1
About
Matej Bartol is a conservation geneticist whose work bridges field ecology, molecular biology, and citizen science to address pressing wildlife management challenges. His primary research focuses on non-invasive genetic monitoring of large carnivores, particularly brown bears, and developing scalable, cost-effective methods for population estimation. Bartol’s most notable contribution is his pioneering integration of laboratory robotics, high-throughput sequencing, and volunteer-based sampling to achieve rapid, large-scale genetic censuses of elusive species. His landmark 2018 study on transboundary brown bear populations in Slovenia demonstrated how automated DNA extraction and genotyping, combined with community-collected hair and scat samples, can yield precise population size estimates at a fraction of traditional costs. This work has garnered 33 citations and serves as a model for wildlife managers across Europe seeking to monitor fragmented, cross-border populations without invasive capture. Bartol’s approach has been instrumental in informing conservation policy for brown bears in the Dinaric Alps, where human-wildlife conflict is high. By democratizing genetic monitoring through volunteer engagement, he has shown that rigorous science can be both efficient and participatory. His ongoing efforts continue to refine protocols for other threatened species, cementing his reputation as a leader in applied conservation genomics.
Research Focus
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Top Papers
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