Integrating habitat suitability, population growth and movement ecology to advance forecasts of avian invasions

This PhD project investigates how and why the invasive ring-necked parakeet continues to expand its range across Europe. Using artificial intelligence, citizen science images, and GPS tracking, the research examines how the species’ behavior and habitat use vary across regions and seasons. These data are integrated into ecological models that forecast future spread up to 2100. The project provides science-based insights to identify invasion risks and supports proactive management of invasive species in Flanders and across Europe.