“Acceptance Speech” Frontiers of Knowledge Award 2021 in Ecology and Conservation Biology

Acceptance speech by Sandra Díaz, winner of the 2021 Frontiers of Knowledge Award in Ecology and Conservation Biology, who was honored alongside Sandra Lavorel and Mark Westoby for their pioneering contributions to the study of plant functional diversity. Their research has identified global patterns linking the physical traits of plant species, such as leaves, stems and seeds, to their roles in ecosystems, improving our understanding of biodiversity and our ability to predict the effects of environmental change.

Díaz reflects on the passion for knowledge and the importance of science as a collective endeavor. She recalls how international collaboration made it possible to develop the TRY database and describe the global spectrum of plant form and function. She also emphasizes that ecological traits, while essential for understanding how ecosystems work, are not enough to explai

Acceptance speech by Sandra Díaz, winner of the 2021 Frontiers of Knowledge Award in Ecology and Conservation Biology, who was honored alongside Sandra Lavorel and Mark Westoby for their pioneering contributions to the study of plant functional diversity. Their research has identified global patterns linking the physical traits of plant species, such as leaves, stems and seeds, to their roles in ecosystems, improving our understanding of biodiversity and our ability to predict the effects of environmental change.

Díaz reflects on the passion for knowledge and the importance of science as a collective endeavor. She recalls how international collaboration made it possible to develop the TRY database and describe the global spectrum of plant form and function. She also emphasizes that ecological traits, while essential for understanding how ecosystems work, are not enough to explain the cultural and social value of nature, and advocates integrating different disciplines to understand the many relationships between plants and people.