The British Ecological Society (BES) honoured Prof. Josep Peñuelas with the 2018 Marsh Award for Climate Change Research. The BES annual awards honour exceptional ecologists across all career stages, recognising their contributions to advancing and communicating ecological knowledge.
BES recognises Prof. Peñuelas from the National Research Council of Spain (CSIC) for his research on the biological impacts of climate change has led to the discovery of ecophysiological mechanisms linked to carbon and oxygen use that help to explain plant species distribution.
The full list of 2018 BES award and prize winners is as follows:
- Honorary Membership: Professor Andrew Watkinson from the University of East Anglia
Honorary membership is the highest honour the BES gives, recognising exceptional contributions at international level to the generation, communication and promotion of ecological knowledge and solutions. Other people that currently hold Honorary Membership include Sir David Attenborough, Dame Georgina Mace, Sir Charles Godfray and Sir John Lawton.
- Marsh Award for Ecology: Professor Katherine Willis, University of Oxford
Provided by the Marsh Christian Trust and administered by the BES, this is awarded for a current research record which is having a significant impact on the development of the science of ecology or its application.
- Marsh Award for Climate Change Research: Professor Josep Peñuelas, National Research Council of Spain (CSIC)
Provided by the Marsh Christian Trust and administered by the BES, this is awarded for an outstanding contribution to climate change research.
- Marsh Award for Ecologists in Africa: Dr Chabi Adéyèmi Marc Sylvestre Djagoun, University of Abomey-Calavi
Provided by the Marsh Christian Trust and administered by the BES, this is awarded for an outstanding current research record, largely completed in Africa, which is having a significant impact on the development of the science of ecology or its application.
- Founders’ Prize: Professor Gabriel Yvon-Durocher, University of Exeter
The BES Founders’ Prize commemorates the enthusiasm and vision of the Society’s founders. It is awarded to an early-career ecologist who is starting to make a significant contribution to the science of ecology.
- BES Award: Dr Emma Sayer, Lancaster University
The BES Award is made in recognition of exceptional voluntary service to the Society and its community.
- Ecological Engagement Award: Dr Ruth Waters, Natural England
This award recognises an ecologist who has bridged the gap between ecology and the public.
- Equality and Diversity Champion: Dr Rosie Trevelyan, Tropical Biology Association
This award recognises an individual or group who has made innovative contributions to enhancing the practice of equality and diversity in the ecological community.
The winners had been presented with their prizes during a ceremony held on December 18th at the Society’s annual conference.
