Staff
Mariella Marzano
BA, MA, PhD
BA, MA, PhD
Research Scientist, Society and Environment Research Group
Responsibilities include the design, execution and management of social research in support of sustainable land use in UK and Europe.
Coordinator of the Forest Research Tree Health and Biosecurity Programme and IUFRO Research Group Forest Entomology. Honorary Research Fellow at St Andrew’s University.
Mariella currently leads or contributes to a number of interdisciplinary research programmes and projects related to forest disturbances including tree and plant biosecurity, human dimensions of species management, climate smart forestry, storms and wildfire, stakeholder engagement and risk communication. Recent projects have covered themes ranging from co-design of socially acceptable management options, place-making to improve human-wildlife interactions and mental model approaches for understanding perceptions of disturbance risks and knowledge needs.
Research has focussed on actors relevant to forest disturbance including pests and diseases such as Phytophthora sp., Xylella fastidiosa, Dothistroma needle blight, Asian longhorn beetle, Oak processionary moth, Acute Oak decline, Ash dieback, Emerald ash borer, and grey squirrels/deer.
NRS
Northern Research Station
Bush Estate
Roslin
Scotland
This is a collaboration with tree health scientists to explore new and emerging pest threats to priority tree species and new woodlands. We aim to assess the risks posed by established pests under current and future climates, and the most likely invasion pathways for key invasive pests.
This research aims to better understand potential large-scale threats to plant biosecurity in Scotland. We are exploring the risks posed by i) non-specialist and online horticultural sales, ii) large-scale plantings for landscaping and infrastructure projects, and iii) large-scale tree plantings for environmental benefits.
Following the discovery of Phytophthora ramorum close to Rowardennan in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, Forest Research was commissioned to carry out questionnaires with hikers in the area to investigate their awareness of and engagement with the topic of tree pests and diseases, and biosecurity.
What is tree resilience, and how can we support better management for tree health in the face of climate change and pests and diseases?
Multi partner research project on risk-based strategies to prepare for and manage the invasive emerald ash borer and bronze birch borer.
Red Squirrels United brings together partners from across the UK to deliver red squirrel conservation. As part of this effort, Forest Research is undertaking a public attitudinal survey to understand levels of awareness of squirrel conservation issues and attitudes towards management methods.
Forest Research social scientists are exploring how early detection technologies can be developed better in partnership with practitioners and industry representatives who may wish to take such technologies forward to commercial application.
Details of the Dothistroma Needle Blight management strategy
This page summarises Forest Research’s work in a Defra-funded project to identify and analyse all stakeholders involved in monitoring and protecting the health of trees in the UK.
Details of the improved methods for the early detection of Oak Processionary Moth
Understanding human-wildlife interactions in forest environments
The page summarises a pilot project by Forest Research to find out how the process of commissioning, doing and communicating social research affects policy, planning, practice and outcomes within the Forestry Commission.
This report reviews and summarises some of the key evidence from around the world on values associated with ash trees, and the management decisions about both ash dieback and emerald ash borer. The evidence on values focuses on historical, social and cultural values while the parts on management decisions looks at actual decisions taken as […]
Report investigating the current opportunities for volunteering, where and how these operate and any barriers to developing volunteering or offering further opportunities. April 2011. By: Liz O’Brien and Mariella Marzano. Related pages People, trees and woodlands Social forestry research
Report from study that addressed how the knowledge and understanding of social research affects policy, planning, practice and outcomes within the Forestry Commission. By Mariella Marzano, Anna Lawrence and Bianca Ambrose-Oji. Related pages People, trees and woodlands Social forestry research
Pollard, C.R.J., Marzano, M. (2023) On a handshake: business-to-business trust in the biosecurity behaviours of the UK live plant trade. Biol Invasions 25, 2531–2547. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-023-03054-y
Watkins, Harry, Abel McLinden, Sally O’Halloran, Berglind Karlsdottir, Chris Pollard, Ellen Labib, & Mariella Marzano. (2022). Gibase1.0: A Database of Green Infrastructure Plant Species in England and Scotland. Ecological Solutions and Evidence, 3(1). https://doi.org/10.1002/2688-8319.12133.
Marzano, M., Dunn, M., & Green, S. (2021) Perceptions of Biosecurity Based Accreditation in the Plant Trade: A UK Example. Forests, 12(12), 1741. https://doi.org/10.3390/f12121741
Dunn, M., Marzano, M., & Forster, J. (2021). The red zone: Attitudes towards squirrels and their management where it matters most. Biological Conservation, 253, 108869.
Occhibove, F., Chapman, D.S., Mastin, A., Parnell, S., Agstner, B., Mato-Amboage, R., Jones, G., Dunn, M., Pollard, C.R., Robinson, J.S. and Marzano, M. (2020) Eco-epidemiological uncertainties of emerging plant diseases: the challenge of predicting Xylella fastidiosa dynamics in novel environments. Phytopathology, (ja).
Woodcock, P., Buggs, R.J.A., Marzano, M., Quine, C.P. (in press) Exploring strategies for responding to ash dieback in the UK. Quarterly Journal of Forestry.
Marzano, M., Ambrose-Oji, B., Hall, C., Moseley (2020) Pests in the City: Managing public health risks and social values in response to OPM. Forests, 11(2), 199. https://doi.org/10.3390/f11020199
Marzano, M., Hall, C., Dandy, N., LeBlanc Fisher, C., Diss-Torrence, A., Haight, R.G. (2020) Lessons from the front line of emerald ash borer management: a risk/benefit approach to understand social acceptability of future options. Forests, 11(6), 617. https://doi.org/10.3390/f11060617
Pocock, M.J.O., Marzano, M., Bullas-Appleton, E., Dyke, A., de Groot, M. Shuttleworth, C.M., White, R.M. (2020) Ethical dilemmas when using citizen science for early detection of invasive tree pests and diseases. Management of Biological Invasions, 11(4):720-732.
Evans, H.F., Williams, D, Hoch, G., Loomans, A., Marzano, M. (2020) Developing a European Toolbox to manage potential invasion by emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) and bronze birch borer (Agrilus anxius), important pests of ash and birch. Forestry. https://doi.org/10.1093/forestry/cpz074
Mills, A., Marzano, M., Robertson, P., Crowley, S., McKinney, C., Ward, A. Maggs, G., Lambin, X. (2019) The challenges of long-term invasive mammal management. Mammal Review, 50(2):136-146.
Marzano, M., Woodcock, P. Quine, C.P. (2019 )Dealing with dieback: Forest manager attitudes towards developing resistant ash trees in the United Kingdom. Forestry, 92(5):554-567.
White, R.M., Marzano, M., Leahy, S., Jones, G. (2019) Are we defending the indefensible? Reflecting on policy and practice around ‘the border’ in plant biosecurity for tree health. Forests, 10(9), 716
Ogilvie, S., McCarthy, A., Allen, W., Grant, A., Mark-Shadbolt, M., Pawson, S., Richardson, B., Strand, T., Langer, E.R. (Lisa), Marzano, M. (2019) Unmanned aerial vehicles and biosecurity: enabling participatory-design to help address social licence to operate issues. Forests 10(8), 695
Grant, A., Pawson, S, Marzano, M. (2019) Participatory ICT design and emerging stakeholder relations: Renegotiating the boundaries of sociotechnical innovation in biosecurity surveillance. Forestry. 10(10), 836
Dunn, M., Marzano. M. Forster, J. (2019) Buying better biosecurity: plant buying behaviour and the implications for an accreditation scheme in the horticultural sector. Plants, People, Planet. https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp3.10076
Butler, J.R.A, Young, J.C., Marzano. M. (2019). Adaptive governance and conflict resolution for rewilding across development contexts. In (eds) Rewilding. Johan du Toit, Nathalie Pettorelli, Sarah Durant (Eds) British Ecological Society and Cambridge University Press.
Woodcock, P., Marzano, M., Quine, C. (2019) Key lessons from resistant tree breeding programmes in the Northern Hemisphere. Annals of Forest Science https://doi.org/10.1007/s13595-019-0826-y.
Marzano M., Urquhart, J. (2018) Towards an agenda for social science contributions on the human dimensions of forest health. In J. Urquhart, C. Potter, M. Marzano (eds) Human Dimensions of Forest Health. Palgrave
Marzano, M., White, R., Jones, G. (2018) Enhancing socio-technological innovation for tree health through stakeholder participation in biosecurity technology development. In J. Urquhart, C. Potter, M. Marzano (eds) Human Dimensions of Forest Health. Palgrave.
White, R.M., Young, J.C., Marzano, M., Leahy, S. (2018) Prioritising stakeholder engagement for forest health, across spatial, temporal and governance scales, in an era of austerity. THAPBI species issue Forest Ecology and Management, 417:313-322.
Dunn, M., Marzano, M. Forster, J. (2018) Public attitudes towards ‘pest’ management: perceptions on squirrel management strategies in the UK. Biological Conservation, 222:52-63.
Young, J.C., Marzano, M. Quine, C.P., Ambrose-Oji, B. (2018) Working with decision-makers for resilient forests. Forest Ecology and Management, 417:291-300
Allen, W., Grant, A. Earl, L., MacLellan, R., Waipara, N., Mark-Shadbolt, Ogilvie, S., Langer, E.R., Marzano, M (2018) The use of rubrics to improve risk communication and engagement between biosecurity agencies and their key partners and stakeholders. In J. Urquhart, C. Potter, M. Marzano Human Dimensions of Forest Health. Palgrave
Marzano, M., Allen, W., Dandy, N., Haight, R., Holmes, T., Keskitalo, E.C.H., Langer, E.R., Shadbolt, M., Urquhart, J. (2017) The role of the social sciences in understanding and informing tree biosecurity policy and planning: a global synthesis. Biological Invasions, 19, 3317-3332.
Dandy, N., Marzano, M., Porth, E., Urquhart, J., Potter, C. (2017) Who has a stake in ash dieback? A conceptual framework for the identification and categorisation of tree health stakeholders. Special edition publication from COST Action FRAXBACK
Marzano, M. Dandy, N et al. (2016) Assessing awareness of tree pests and pathogens amongst tree professionals: A pan-European perspective. Forest Policy and Economics. 70:164-171.
Marzano, M., Ambrose-Oji, B., Dandy, N. (2016) Employee relocation in the public sector: Forestry Perspectives. Scottish Forestry
Marzano, M., Fuller, L. Quine, C.P. 2017. Barriers to management of tree diseases: Framing perspectives of pinewood managers around Dothistroma Needle Blight. Journal of Environmental Management. 188: 238-245.
Fuller, L., Marzano, M., Peace, A., Quine, C.P., Dandy, N. (2016) Public acceptance of tree health management: results of a national survey in the UK. Environmental science and Policy
Porth, E., Dandy, N., Marzano, M. (2015) “My garden is the one with no trees”: Residential lived experiences of the 2012 Asian longhorn beetle eradication programme in Kent, England. Human Ecology
Leveque, J., Marzano, M., Broome, A., Connolly, T. Dandy, N. (2015) Forest visitor perceptions of recreational impacts on amphibian wildlife. European Journal of Wildlife Research
Marzano, M., Dandy, N. Bayliss, H.R., Porth, E., Potter, C. (2015) Part of the solution? Stakeholder awareness, information and engagement in tree health issues. Biological Invasions. DOI 10.1007/s10530-015-0850-2.
Eschen, R. Rigaux, L., Sukovata, L.,Vettraino, A.M., Marzano, M., Gregoire, J-M. (2015) Phytosanitary inspection of woody plants for planting at European Union entry points: a practical enquiry. Biological Invasions DOI 10.1007/s10530-015-0883-6.
Bouriad, L. and Marzano, M. (2014) Conservation, extraction and corruption: Is sustainable forest management possible in Romania? In: E. Gilberthorpe and G. Hilson (eds) Natural resource extraction and indigenous livelihoods. Development challenges in an era of globalisation. Surrey, Ashgate. Pages 221-240.
Marzano, M., Quine, C.P., Dandy, N. (2014) Forests for all? Considering the conservation implications of human-species interactions in the context of multifunctional forestry. In Fenning, T. (ed)Challenges and opportunities for the world’s forests in the 21st Century. London, Springer. Pages 55-70
Marzano, M., Moseley, D.M., Quine, C.P., & Barnett, J. (2013). Organisational intentions and responses: Presenting the risk of Lyme disease to countryside users. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management.56(3):305-328
Marzano, M. Carss, D.N., Cheyne, I. (2013) Managing European-fisheries conflicts: problems, practicalities and Policy. Fisheries Management and Ecology 20(5): 401-413.
Lawrence., A and M. Marzano (2013) Is the private forest sector adapting to climate change? A study of forest managers in north Wales. Annals of Forest Science. Published online: DOI 10.1007/s13595-013-0326-4
O’Brien, L., Marzano, M., White R.M. (2013) Participatory interdisciplinarity: Towards the integration of disciplinary diversity with stakeholder engagement for new models of knowledge production. Science and Public Policy (2013) 40 (1): 51–61 first published online January 7, 2013 doi:10.1093/scipol/scs120
Quine, C.P., Barnett, J. Dobson, A.D.M., Marcu. A., Marzano, M., Moseley, D., O’Brien, L., Randolph, S., Taylor, J.L. & Uzzell, D. (2011). The Place of Risk Communication within the Management of Animal Disease Risks for Countryside Users. Phil. Trans. Roy. Soc. B.
Eycott, A., Marzano, M. & Watts, K. (2011). Filling Evidence Gaps with Expert Opinion: An example of a Delphi analysis in Functional Connectivity Modelling. Landscape and Urban Planning.
Dandy, N., Marzano, M., Moseley, D., Stewart, A., and Lawrence, A. (2011). Exploring the role of street trees in the improvement and expansion of green networks. Proceedings of the ICF Annual Conference, Trees, People and the Built Environment, 13th-14th April 2011.
Edwards, D., Jensen, F.S., Marzano, M., Mason, B., Pizzirani, S. & Schelhaas, M-J. (2011). A Theoretical Framework to Assess the Impacts of Forest Management on the Recreational Value of European Forests. Ecological Indicators 11: 81-89.
Young, J. Marzano, M., Watt, A.D.W., Carss, D.N., Redpath, S.M., McCracken, D.I., White, R.M. & Quine, C.P. (2010). Managing Conflicts Affecting Biodiversity, Ecosystems and Livelihoods in a changing Environment. Biodiversity and Conservation 19:3973-3990.
Young, J. & Marzano, M. (2010). Embodied interdisciplinarity: What is the Role of Polymaths in Environmental Research? Environmental Conservation 37(4):373-375.
Bell, S., Marzano, M. & Podjed, D. (2010). Inside Monitoring: A Comparison of Bird Monitoring Groups in Slovenia and the United Kingdom”. In A. Lawrence (ed.) Taking Stock of Nature, Cambridge University Press.
Carss, D.N., S. Bell & Marzano, M. (2009). Competing and Coexisting with Cormorants: Ambiguity and Change in European Wetlands”. In. S. Heckler (ed) Landscape, Process and Power: A New Environmental Knowledge Synthesis. New York: Berghahn.
Sillitoe, P. & Marzano, M. (2009). The Future of Indigenous Knowledge Research in Development. Futures, 41:13-23.
Bell, S., Marzano, M., Cent,J., Kobierska, H., Podjed, D., Vandzinskaite, D., Reinert, H. Armaitiene, A., Grodzinska-Jurczak, M. & Muršic, R. (2008). What Counts? Volunteers and their Organisations in the Recording and Monitoring of Biodiversity” Biodiversity and Conservation 17(14):3443-3454.
Marzano, M. (2006). Intercropping Science and Local Knowledge in Sri Lanka: Extension, Rubber and Farming. In P. Sillitoe (ed.) Local Science Versus Global Science. Oxford: Berghahn. Pages 155-174.
Marzano, M. (2006). Changes in the Weather: A Sri Lanka Case Study. Anthropology in Action. 13(3):63-76.
Marzano, M., Carss, D.N. & Bell, S. (2006). Working to Make Interdisciplinarity Work: Investing in Communication and Interpersonal Relationships”, Journal of Agricultural Economics, 57(2)185-198.
Selected reports and popular articles
Dunn, M., Marzano, M.,Finger, A. (2021). Assessment of Plant Biosecurity Risks to Scotland from Large-Scale Tree Plantings For Environmental Benefits: Project Final Report. PHC2019/06. Scotland’s Centre of Expertise for Plant Health (PHC).
Dunn, M., Baudet, M. & Marzano, M. (2020). Volunteer Experiences in Red Squirrel Conservation. Report for the Red Squirrels United Project.
Dunn, M., Marzano, M. (2015) Red Squirrels United public attitudes survey summary report: Social acceptability of methods used to manage squirrels in the UK. A report for Red Squirrels United (HLF funded)
Quine, C.P., Marzano, M. et al. (2014) Social and Economic Analysis of Dothistroma Needle Blight. Project report for Defra TH0111.
Marzano, M. (Ed & Working Group chair). (2014). Working Group 3: Education and dissemination of information for pathway risk awareness and risk reduction. Final report for COST Action FP1002 PERMIT
Potter, C., Bayliss, H., Dandy, N., Marzano, M., Porth, E., MacLeod, A., Jones, G., Enticott, G., Maye, D. (2014) Mapping, Analysis and Improved Understanding of Stakeholders and Publics to Protect Tree Health. Final Report: Defra Project TH0104.
Marzano, M and Dandy, N. (2011). Disturbance of wildlife and the recreational use of forests: A literature review. Forest Research, UK.
Gardiner, B. Blennow,K., Carnus, J-M., Fleischer, P., Ingemarson, F., Landmann, G., Lindner, M., Marzano, M., Nicoll, B., Orazio, C., Peyron, J-L., Reviron, M-P., Schelhaas, M-J., Schuck, A., Spielmann, M. & Usbeck, T. (2010). Destructive Storms in European Forests: past and Forthcoming impacts. Report to DG Environment.
Marzano, M. (ed.) (2010). Stakeholder and Decision-Maker Interactions. Report for the MOTIVE project 226544.
O’Brien, L. & Marzano, M. (2010). Volunteering in Scotland’s Forests. Preliminary report to Forestry Commission Scotland.
Edwards, D., Jay, M., Jensen F.S., Lucas, B., Marzano, M., Montagne, C., Peace, A. & Weiss, G., (2010). Public preferences for silvicultural attributes of European forests. EFORWOOD Deliverable D2.3.3. Forest Research, UK.
Edwards, D., Jay, M., Jensen, F.S., Lucas, B., Marzano, M., Montagne, C., Peace, A. & Weiss, G. (2010). Assessment of the recreational value of European forest management alternatives. EFORWOOD Deliverable D2.3.6, Forest Research, UK.
Schelhaas, Edwards, D., M-J., Didion, M., Hengeveld, G., Nabuurs, G-J., Mason, B., Lindner, M., Moiseyev, A., Jay, M., Jensen F.S., Lucas, B., Marzano, M., Montagne, C., Peace, A. & Weiss, G. (2010). Modelling the impacts of Forest Management Alternatives on recreational values in Europe. EFORWOOD Deliverable D2.3.7. Forest Research, UK.
Moseley, D. & Marzano, M. (2010). Green Networks and People. Ecotype No 48. Forest Research.
Marzano, M. & Dandy, N. (2010). Human Dimensions of Species Management: A Scoping Study Report. Forest Research.
Marzano, M., Lawrence, A. & Ambrose-Oji, B. (2009). Social Research and the Forestry Commission: Perceptions and Applications. Forest Research.
Marzano, M., Eycott, A. & Taylor, P. (2009). Defra Connectivity Indicator Phase 2. Work Package 3 – Delphi Analysis. Report to DEFRA.
Moseley, D & Marzano, M. (2009). A Review of Research and Practice in the Analysis and Planning of Multi-Functional Green Networks. Forest Research.
Marzano, M. & Carss, D.N. (eds.) (2008). Management Practices in a Complex Habitat Mosaic and at Local, Regional and National levels. INTERCAFE meeting report, South Bohemia, Czech Republic.
Bell, S., Marzano, M., Muršic, R., Armaitiene, A., Grodzinska-Jurczak, M., Cent, J., Kobierska, H., Podjed, D. & Vandzinskaite, D. (2007). Cross Cultural Recommendations for Operational Approaches in Participatory Monitoring Networks to Assess the 2010 Target. Report for EUMON 006463.
Marzano, M. & Carss, D.N. (eds.) (2007). “What To Do When the Cormorant Comes”. INTERCAFE meeting report, Hanko, Finland.
Carss, D.N. & Marzano, M. (eds.) (2007). Extensive Aquaculture Systems and Relationships between Stakeholder Perspectives and Different Spatial and Institutional Levels. INTERCAFE meeting report, Po Delta, Italy.
Carss, D.N. & Marzano, M. (2006). REDCAFE-Reducing the Conflict between Cormorants and Fisheries on a pan-European Scale”. NAFAC Newsletter, Winter (4).
Carss, D.N. & Marzano, M. (2006). Case Study at the European level: INTERCAFE” In. Gilbert et al. Sobio (Social Science and Biodiversity) Why is it important? A guide for policymakers
