ISTA Lecture Young Lounge: Franz Essl

The global re-shuffling of species

Abstract:

Welcome to the Anthropocene! For the first time in planetary history, one species has become the dominating biophysical force. Consequently, humans are driving the redistribution of biota at an unprecedented scale, with enormous and rising consequences – for the future of biodiversity and human livelihoods alike. While many species are declining and heading towards extinction, other species are being moved around the globe by humans, essentially changing global biogeography. This human-induced introduction of species into new regions – so called biological invasions – have become a defining signature of the Anthropocene.

In his talk, Professor Essl will synthesize key insights into global patterns and drivers of biological invasions. He will highlight likely future trajectories of this phenomenon, present main advances in invasion science, and identify new avenues to improve the understanding of alien species spread and impacts. Finally, he will provide a perspective on priority questions for biogeography and biodiversity conservation resulting from the global re-shuffling of species.

Biographie:

Professor Essl’s work is centered at the crossroads of Invasion Science, Macroecology, Biogeography and Conservation Biology, with a strong focus on human-environment interactions.  He teaches at the Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research at the University of Vienna, and he was elected Austrian Scientist of the Year 2022 by the Klub der Bildungs- und Wissenschaftsjournalisten (Club of Education and Science Journalists).

Im Anschluss an die ISTA Lecture gibt es die Gelegenheit zum Besuch einer thematisch eng verwandten Ausstellung in einem der Labore des Moonstone Buildings:

Designerin Sophie Falkeis und The Encounters Lab zeigen eine Installation rund um die Ökologie der Verschiebung von Arten in Zeiten des Klimawandels. Die Installation ist am Veranstaltungstag von 18 bis 20 Uhr geöffnet!