Michigan State University scholar Jianguo “Jack” Liu is being honored with the Eminent Ecologist Award by the Ecological Society of America for building interdisciplinary bridges in sustainability science that has strengthened research and sparked significant impact on global conservation efforts.

The award is the highest honor and most prestigious recognition from the ESA, the largest organization of ecologists with more than 9,000 members. It is presented to a senior ecologist in recognition of an outstanding body of ecological work or of sustained ecological contributions of extraordinary merit. Liu, the Rachel Carson Chair in Sustainability, is being honored both for groundbreaking academic work and real-world impact.

“Perhaps inspired by his understanding of the human role in the sustainability of the environment, Dr. Liu has also been a devoted contributor to building the human capital and infrastructure in the research fields he cares so much about,” the ESA notes in the award’s citation. “Dr. Liu has originated several important concepts in sustainability science. His work combining remote sensing with ecological field work and surveys of people has introduced needed quantitative rigor to the evaluation of protected areas. This advance led to the insight that degradation of habitat may actually accelerate after it is legally protected, highlighting that legal protection is a step rather than an endpoint in sustainability.”

The award will be presented at the ESA Annual Meeting in Montreal in August.

Liu, who is director of MSU’s Center for Systems Integration and Sustainability, has been a trailblazer in seeking solutions to some of the world’s most pressing problems by integrating the needs of both humans and nature.

To read the full story, visit canr.msu.edu