Contributions

Scientific publications

• Siciliano A., 2025, ‘Prioritizing Ecological Values with Sequential Hierarchical Intersection Layers (SHIL): A Case Study from a Mediterranean Biodiversity Hotspot’. Journal for Nature Conservation (2025): 127103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnc.2025.127103

• Siciliano A., Deguara D., Scerri D., Olatoye D.S., Zama F., Dimech S., Sililo N., Boujmil I., Pierucci M., Paolacci S., submitted, ‘Advancing marine benthic habitat and species identification using AI-driven computer vision: a Mediterranean marine ecosystem case study’. Journal of Machine Learning Research.

• Boujmil I., Karovic S., Zama F., Olatoye D.S., Klenczner T.A., Siciliano A., Dimech S., Sililo N., Sacco O., Pierucci M., Deguara D., Scerri D., Theuma L., Paolacci S., 2024, ‘Automated benthic detection and identification system of key marine features through machine learning, machine vision prototypes and artificial neural networks’. Poster at BEING SEA-EU conference. Link

• Chantzaropoulos A., Robinson F., Fernandez D., Howard C., Siciliano A., Ssekandi J., Kiggundu N., Kasozi N., Ogello E., Maro J., Raswiu R., Hoinkis J., Paolacci S., 2024, 'Mapping of the integrated aqua-agriculture practices in East Africa, as part of the EU-funded Horizon project PrAEctiCe'. Poster at Aquaculture Africa 2024 Conference and Exposition. November, 2024, Tunisia. Link

• Thomsen M.S., Altieri A.H., Angelini C., Bishop M.J., Bulleri F., Farhan R., Fruling V., Harrison S., Gribben P.E., Klinghardt M., Langeneck J., Lanham B.S., Mondardini L., Mulders Y., Oleksyn S., He Q., Ramus A., Schneider T., Schiel D.R., Siciliano A., Silliman B.R., Smale D., South P.M., Wernberg T., Zhang S., Zotz G., 2022, ‘Heterogeneity within and among co-occurring foundation species increases biodiversity’, Nature Communications. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-28194-y

• Thomsen M.S., Metcalfe I., Siciliano A., South P.M., Gerrity S., Alestra T., Schiel D.R., 2020, ‘Earthquake-driven destruction of an intertidal habitat cascade’, Aquatic Botany. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquabot.2020.103217

• Siciliano A., Thomsen M.S., Schiel D.R., 2019, ‘Effects of local anthropogenic stressors on an habitat cascade in a estuarine seagrass system’, Marine and Freshwater Research. https://doi.org/10.1071/MF18414

• Siciliano A., Thomsen M.S., Schiel D.R., 2018, ‘Testing when and how habitat cascades control biodiversity of marine benthic ecosystems’, Ph.D. thesis, University of Canterbury. Link

• Thomsen M.S., Hildebrand T., South P.M., Foster T., Siciliano A., Oldach E., Schiel D.R., 2016, ‘A sixth‐level habitat cascade increases biodiversity in an intertidal estuary’, Ecology and Evolution. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.2499

• Siciliano A., Jimenez C., Petrou A., 2016, ‘Recreational diving and its effects on the macroalgal communities of the unintentional artificial reef Zenobia shipwreck (Cyprus)’, Journal of Oceanography and Marine Research. Link

• Provenzani G., Siciliano A., 2013, ‘Ecological assessment of the current state of the Isola Bella’s Marine Protected Area (Sicily, Italy)’, B.Sc. thesis, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna.

Conferences

• Siciliano A., 2025. ‘Bridging Complexity and Practice: A Sequential GIS-Based Framework (SHIL)​’. MCAST EXPO25. Malta.

• Drago A., Siciliano A., Massa Gallucci A., 2025. ‘OurOBS: Our joint ocean OBServations for the Malta-Sicily shelf’. MCAST EXPO25. Malta.

• Spiteri G., Delicata F., Camilleri S., Busuttil F., Siciliano A., 2025. ‘MEDSEAPLAN: Malta’s Data and Scenarios for a Sustainable Mediterranean Blue Economy’. MCAST EXPO25. Malta.

• Boujmil I., Siciliano A., Dimech S., Sililo N., Sacco O., Pierucci M., Deguara D., Scerri D., 2024. 'Automated benthic detection and identification system of key marine features through machine learning, machine vision prototypes and artificial neural networks'. BEING SEA-EU Conference. Malta.

• Siciliano A., 2023. Final Dissemination Conference of the Excellent Mediterranean Net (MEN). Malta College of Arts, Science, and Technology (MCAST). Malta.

• Siciliano A., 2023. ‘ABTG as a case study of successful cross-border opportunities for the Research, Regulation and Environment Protection sectors’. Malta College of Arts, Science, and Technology (MCAST). Malta.

• Siciliano A., 2018. ‘Implementing a VAKI River-watcher fish counter in the Taupo Fishery’. Tongariro Power Scheme Annual Consultative Hui. Genesis Tokaanu Power Station, New Zealand.

• Siciliano A., Thomsen M.S., Schiel D.R., 2017. ‘Host variety enhances diversity: the role of multiple secondary habitat-forming seaweeds in facilitating estuarine invertebrates’ communities’. New Zealand Marine Science Society. University of Canterbury, New Zealand.

• Thomsen M.S., Metcalfe I., Siciliano A., Alestra T., Lilley S., Gerrity S., Schiel D.R., 2017. ‘Habitat cascades destroyed in the Kaikoura earthquake’. New Zealand Marine Science Society. University of Canterbury, New Zealand.

• Siciliano A., Thomsen M.S., Schiel D.R., 2016. ‘Effects of seaweeds, nutrients and sedimentation on seagrass and seagrass-associated fauna’. Annual Biology Conference. University of Canterbury, New Zealand.

• Siciliano A., Thomsen M.S., Schiel D.R., 2016. ‘Variability in habitat cascades across sites, environmental conditions, host and epiphyte species and underpinning mechanistic test-factors’. Australian Marine Science Association - New Zealand Marine Science Society. Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand.

• Siciliano A., Thomsen M.S., Schiel D.R., 2016. ‘Epiphytism as key driver of biodiversity in canopy-forming seaweeds-dominated systems’. 11th International Temperate Reefs Symposium. University of Pisa, Italy.

• Siciliano A., Thomsen M.S., Schiel D.R.., 2015. ‘Cascading effects of epiphytism associated with co-occurring congeneric hosts’. New Zealand Ecological Society. University of Canterbury, New Zealand.

• Siciliano A., Thomsen M.S., Schiel D.R., 2015. ‘Epiphytism and cascading effects associated with co-occurring habitat formers’. Annual Biology Conference. University of Canterbury, New Zealand.

Technical reports

• Drago A., Genovese S., Bonanno A., Delicata F., Debono D., Siciliano A., Massa Gallucci A., Soster F., Letterio G., Granata A., Barra M., Vernazzani D., Coppolaro V., 2025. ‘Oceanographic survey in the Malta-Sicily Channel and the Maltese Islands’. Report prepared for government organization.

• Siciliano A., Bojimil I., 2025. ‘Machine Learning detection model report: image processing and labeling in Roboflow, Model training and validation’. Report prepared for government organization.

• Dimara A., Krinidis S., Figurella F., Bargiota E., Karavidas A., Alexandros V., Pieri M., Siciliano A., Bojimil I., 2024. ’UnderWater Cultural Heritage Assets’ Safeguarding, Services, and UW Health & Safety’. Report prepared for government organization.

• Boujmil I., Siciliano A., Dimech S., Sililo N., 2024. ‘Autonomous Bio-mimetic Underwater Vehicle for Digital Cage Monitoring | AMBULANT’. Report prepared for government organization.

• Gambino E., Siciliano A., 2024. ‘Report on a survey of sediment quality at sites in il-Ħofra ż-Żgħira and at Delimara (Marsaxlokk Bay), undertaken as part of the requirements of the IPPC permit for the Delimara Power Station’. Report prepared for private client.

• Suarez F.M., Siciliano A., 2024. ‘Report on the diving survey performed at Golden Bay, as part of a cable route survey on Malta’s continental shelf in connection with a proposed Medusa submarine telecommunications cable’. Report prepared for private client.

• Boujmil I., Sililo N., Siciliano A., 2024. ‘Blue Culture Technology Excellence Hubs in EU Widening Member States | BCTHubs’. Report prepared for government organization.

• Boujmil I., Galea J., Siciliano A., 2024. ‘Autonomous Network System with Specialized and Integrated Multi-Sensor Technology for Dynamic Monitoring of Marine Pollution | SMARTPOL’. Report prepared for government organization.

• Sililo N., Dimech S., Siciliano A., 2023. ‘Impact of Reverse Osmosis discharges on the marine environment’. Report prepared for private client.

• Siciliano A., Sililo N., Dimech S., 2023. ‘Surveys to assess the impacts of anchoring/mooring activity, and the socio-economic assessment of management options: Assessment of impacts through localized surveys’. Report prepared for government organization.

• Pluda E., Sililo N., Dimech S., Siciliano A., 2023. ‘Surveys to assess the impacts of anchoring/mooring activity, and the socio-economic assessment of management options: Spatio-temporal analysis report’. Report prepared for government organization.

• Siciliano A., Gambino E., Tessarolo C., 2023. ‘Electrical InterConnector 2 - Environmental and biodiversity baseline report’. Report prepared for private client.

• Gambino E., Siciliano A., Tessarolo C., 2023. ‘Electrical InterConnector 2 - Posidonia oceanica and sensitive habitats study’. Report prepared for private client.

• Haddi I., Galea J., Siciliano A., 2023. ‘Service Tender for the Provision of Monitoring and Assessment of Exploited Marine Species in Maltese Waters'. Report prepared for government organization.

• Siciliano A. and Hartley A.G., 2022-2023. 19x Marine Baseline Environmental Survey reports for Red Sea and Gulf of Aqaba sites. Reports prepared for private client.

• Goldwater N., Peart J., Siciliano A., Budd S., 2022. ‘Assessment of terrestrial ecological effects of the proposed Palmerston North wastewater consenting project’. Report prepared for government organization.

• McQueen J., Mackay J., Smith V., Siciliano A., Thoresen J., Tidwell L., Bennet D., 2022. 'Effects of constructing, operating, and maintaining high voltage transmission lines on biodiversity: how to reach a net gain'. Report prepared for private client.

• Siciliano A., Lloyd K., 2022. ‘Ecosystem prioritisation methods and Zonation data vetting in Otago, New Zealand’. Report prepared for government organization.

• Bycroft C., McQueen J., McQuillan A., Renner M., Tidwell L., Buckley E., Funnell l., West M., Siciliano A., Deacon L., 2022. 'Ecological monitoring of geothermal vegetation in the Wairākei and Ohaaki geothermal fields, 2022'. Report prepared for private client.

• Siciliano A., Goldwater N., 2022. ‘Assessment of environmental effects for water take below minimum flow at Waipaoa River, Gisborne, New Zealand’. Report prepared for government organization.

• Konlechner T., Siciliano A., Gallagher E., Smith V., Patrick B., Mazzieri F., Smith S., 2022. ‘Evaluation of freshwater invertebrate features and values at Lake Onslow, Central Otago, New Zealand’. Report prepared for government organization.

• McQueen S., Papworth N., Siciliano A., Thorpe C., McKay J., Mazzieri F., McQueen J., 2022. 'Ecological Impact Assessment for the Foxton flood mitigation project, New Zealand'. Report prepared for government organization.