Congratulations to ASE Professor David Wardle, who has been announced as the 2020 recipient of the Whittaker Distinguished Ecologist award from the Ecological Society of America (ESA). The Whittaker Award recognizes an ecologist with an outstanding record of contributions in ecology who is not a U.S. citizen and who resides outside the United States.
Extract from the award statement by ESA:
Wardle is one of the most influential ecologists of our time and has made major contributions in multiple aspects of ecology. He is internationally recognized as scientific leader, in particular for his pioneering work improving understanding of the mechanisms and implications of the linkages between above- and belowground components of terrestrial ecosystems. The breadth and impact of Wardle’s work speak to his appropriateness for receiving this award. He has been included on every list of ‘highly cited researchers’ from 2006 onwards and is among the world’s 20 most cited scientists in the Ecology and Environment category since 2007. His research has not only won numerous awards and played pivotal roles in advancing ecology, but he has had notable impact in ecological education, service, and informing. Wardle’s extensive work on the impact of invasive species underpins New Zealand’s Department of Conservation draft strategy for managing forested offshore islands and the country’s current strategy for monitoring the effectiveness of forest pest management. His work provides scientific basis for informing policy debate on topics including biomass and carbon sequestration, and old growth forests vs intensively managed forests.
More information can be found here: https://www.esa.org/blog/2020/04/16/ecological-society-of-america-announces-2020-award-recipients/