The challenges of biodiversity science

Michel Loreau

Department of Biology, McGill University, 1205 avenue Docteur Penfield, Montréal, Québec H3A 1B1, Canada

Recipient of the International Ecology Institute (ECI) Prize 2000 in terrestrial ecology

About the book

In EE Book 17 Michel Loreau addresses the protection of biodiversity for present and future human generations and for a thriving biosphere. As leader in a variety of organisations and activities devoted to biodiversity, Michel Loreau draws in his book on his experience as Chair of DIVERSITAS and other international initiatives to illuminate the challenges of an integrated biodiversity science.

About the author

Professor Michel Loreau was elected by the ECI Jury chaired by Professor Paul Ehrlich (Stanford, USA) for his significant contributions to current ecological knowledge. Michel Loreau's ability to use models for exploring the effects of phenomena at the community level to make predictions at the ecosystem level has led to novel experimental approaches in fields of ecology with a strong descriptive basis. In this way, his theoretical and empirical insights have contributed significantly to the integration of different branches of ecology. The studies of Michel Loreau have great impact on applied ecology and issues of conservation biology related to the ecosystem effects of climatic change. His many important papers have strongly influenced a new generation of ecologists.