Professor Nathalie Seddon has received the Marsh Award for Ecology 2024. This prize is awarded for an outstanding current research record which is having a significant impact on the development of the science of ecology or its application. It is provided by the Marsh Charitable Trust and administered by the British Ecological Society.
Professor Seddon is interested in understanding the origins and maintenance of biodiversity and its relationship with global change. She now advises governments, UN agencies and businesses on nature-based solutions to societal challenges. As an official 'friend' of COP26, she is one of around 30 global experts to advise the UK government on the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change).
In 2017, she founded the Nature-based Solutions Initiative, a programme of interdisciplinary research, policy advice, and education aimed at bringing the equitable protection of nature to the centre of the sustainable development agenda.
Could you give us a bit of background on yourself and your research?
With a lifelong passion for and deep connection to nature, I trained as an evolutionary and behavioural ecologist, becoming a Royal Society University Research Fellow and moving to Oxford University from the University of Cambridge in 2005. Back then, my work combined fieldwork with phylogenetic and spatial modelling techniques, and integrated theory with experiments and comparative analyses to understand the origins and maintenance of avian diversity, particularly in tropical forest ecosystems in South America.
However, my fascination with the origins of biodiversity was eclipsed by urgent concerns about its survival given the collapsing health of the biosphere. This shift in focus inspired me to explore how we can leverage deep ecological knowledge to confront the critical challenges of biodiversity loss and climate change. Meanwhile, a sabbatical at the International Institute for Environment and Development highlighted a widespread lack of understanding about the essential role of biodiversity in truly sustainable development.
In response, I founded the Nature-based Solutions Initiative (NbSI) in 2017, which has significantly advanced the field of "nature-based solutions" for addressing climate change challenges. My work now encompasses the development of theoretical frameworks and research, along with the consolidation and dissemination of scientific evidence on the benefits and limitations of nature-based solutions to a variety of audiences.
Can you tell us what it means to you to win this award?
Winning this award is a profound honour, especially considering the many extraordinary ecologists who have received it and inspired me over the years. I believe that applied ecology, which integrates diverse approaches and fields, plays a crucial role in our collective efforts to combat climate change and biodiversity loss. It brings me immense joy to receive an award that helps to highlight the importance of this work.
What excites you in the world of ecology?
I am particularly excited about the advancement of holistic approaches in ecology, especially the emerging research on "wholescapes" and studies that integrate traditional knowledge with scientific understanding. The concept of wholescapes highlights the interconnectedness of social and ecological processes and the interdependencies of the health of various ecosystems across rural, urban, terrestrial, and marine environments. Understanding these relationships is essential for developing effective strategies to restore, protect, and manage these environments and build resilience in a warming world. At the same time, traditional knowledge from diverse cultures provides invaluable insights into the co-creation of ecosystems by humans and non-human organisms. This perspective views humans as an integral part of nature and offers pathways for mutual flourishing. By deepening our understanding of our role within ecosystems, traditional knowledge can also help reconnect modern societies with nature, which is crucial for transforming our economy to support, rather than undermine, the web of life. Both scientific and traditional ecological knowledge are vital for achieving this transformation.
To find out more about the Marsh Award for Ecology, visit: https://www.britishecologicalsociety.org/membership-community/honours-awards-and-prizes/marsh-award-for-ecology/
