Awarded the 7th BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award in Ecology and Conservation Biology, ecologist David Tilman discusses in this interview how biodiversity influences the functioning and stability of ecosystems. Tilman explains how his research has demonstrated that more diverse systems are more productive, resilient, and better able to withstand disturbances, laying the scientific groundwork for the sustainable management of natural resources. He also reflects on the impacts of intensive agriculture, climate change, and species loss, as well as the need to transform global food systems toward healthier and more environmentally friendly models. His insights highlight the importance of integrating science and policy to curb the ecological crisis.
The BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award in the Ecology and Conservation Biology category goes in this seventh edition to D
Awarded the 7th BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award in Ecology and Conservation Biology, ecologist David Tilman discusses in this interview how biodiversity influences the functioning and stability of ecosystems. Tilman explains how his research has demonstrated that more diverse systems are more productive, resilient, and better able to withstand disturbances, laying the scientific groundwork for the sustainable management of natural resources. He also reflects on the impacts of intensive agriculture, climate change, and species loss, as well as the need to transform global food systems toward healthier and more environmentally friendly models. His insights highlight the importance of integrating science and policy to curb the ecological crisis.
The BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award in the Ecology and Conservation Biology category goes in this seventh edition to David Tilman for scientifically establishing the value of biodiversity, quantifying, for the first time, how it contributes to make ecosystems more productive, more resilient to invasions, and more stable in the face of perturbations such as drought.
00:00 Introduction
00:05 The jury recognizes you for having demonstrated that biodiversity makes ecosystems more productive, robust, and resilient. Could you summarize the key aspects of this contribution?
01:42 Why is it so important to understand the benefits and mechanisms of biodiversity?
02:58 You have said that you are very interested in providing predictive knowledge. What predictions have you made based on your research?
03:42 The jury has highlighted your fundamental contributions, but what applications have emerged from the knowledge you have brought to your field of research?
04:40 You are currently working on developing models to achieve environmentally sustainable agriculture that can also feed the world’s growing populations. Could you explain the current state of this line of research?
