The Bren School of Environmental Science & Management Presents A COMMUNITY COLLOQUIUM"Biodiversity: Causes, Consequences and Conservation"
Monday, Feb. 6, 2012 Hosted by Steve Gaines
Abstract Although it often has been asserted that biodiversity is the "natural capital" upon which society depends, rigorous evidence has been lacking. I will present results of a 17-year-long biodiversity experiment, and of a dozen other long-term experiments to evaluate the importance of biodiversity relative to many other factors. I will then apply this evidence to evaluate the role that REDD+ and other schemes might play in providing society with ecosystem goods and services, and preserving biodiversity. Biography David Tilman is the newest member of the Bren faculty. He is also Regents' Professor and McKnight Presidential Chair in Ecology at the University of Minnesota. His research explores how to sustainably meet human needs for food, energy, and ecosystem services. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and is a J. S. Guggenheim Fellow. He was awarded the International Prize for Biology in 2008 and the Heineken Prize for Environmental Sciences in 2010. He is also the recipient of the Ecological Society of America’s Cooper Award and its MacArthur Award, and the Botanical Society of America’s Centennial Award and the Princeton Environmental Prize. He has written two books, edited three more, and published more than 200 scientific papers, including more than 30 in Science, Nature and the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA. For the past 19 years, the Institute for Scientific Information has ranked him as the world’s most highly cited environmental scientist. NOTE: Community colloquia are generally talks of broad interest geared toward a diverse, sophisticated audience. Their purpose is not only to enhance knowledge and understanding, but also to bring people together and promote interaction that will strengthen the community. __________________________________________________________________________________ To join the "bren-alerts" mailing list and receive announcements about Bren School news and events, or to manage your bren-alerts account, go to http://www.bren.ucsb.edu/services/computing/bren-alerts.htm To see a list of currently scheduled Bren events, visit http://www.bren.ucsb.edu/news/all_events.htm To have an event considered for distribution via bren-alerts, send e-mail to media@bren.ucsb.edu For more information or for assistance in accommodating a disability, please contact BJ Danetra To find out how to support the Bren School, please contact Jennifer Purcell Deacon |
