Leader: Pablo Marquet

Contributed by Pablo Marquet

Name: Pablo Marquet

Job: I am a full professor at the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, an associate investigator in the Center for Advanced Studies in Ecology and Biodiversity (CASEB), and for the Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity (IEB)

Where do you work? Santiago, Chile

Degree(s):
I received a Ph. D in Biology at the University of New Mexico and was a postdoctoral fellow at the Catholic University of Chile.

Describe your research:
My primary research interests lie in the areas of macroecology and ecological complexity. The main focus here is the search for the general principles that underlie the seemingly endless complexity, diversity and variability of ecological systems. Because of its synthetic character, our research is neither restricted to a particular temporal or spatial scale of analysis, nor limited to a particular level of ecological organization, thus encompassing phenomena in both ecological and evolutionary time scales and from local communities to continental and global biotas. As in other branches of science, the search for general principles and invariants in complex systems takes the form of statistical regularities such as scaling relationships and power law distributions in ecological attributes. Our challenge is to explain their mechanistic basis and make predictions of unknown relationships. I think that by knowing the laws and principles underlying the functioning and structure of ecological systems we will be able to conserve them better and make our living in them more sustainable. My second interest is in ecoinformatics and conservation biogeography. This research is focused on trying to apply ecological knowledge and available large-scale datasets to help inform conservation policy and management under changing climates and social dynamics.

What inspires you in your work?
Our main aim is to help provide the knowledge base needed to effectively preserve Chilean biodiversity through conservation planning tools associated with the design of protected area networks, gap analysis, niche modeling and analysis of biogeographic patterns than can help to understand the mechanisms behind the generation and maintenance of biodiversity, and the way it will be affected by global and local changes in climate and the projected socio-economic development of the country.

What are the highlights of your career accomplishments? 
I have published my research in several leading scientific journals including Science and Nature. I have also received several awards, including:

• Graduate Student Achievement Award, University of New Mexico, 1993.
• Outstanding Young Scientist Award, Biological Society of Chile, 1995.
• Outstanding Paper in the Discipline of Landscape Ecology Award, U.S. Chapter of the International Association for Landscape Ecology.
• "Frontiers of Science", Program, Chilean Academy of Sciences, 2004-2006.
• International Fellow of the Santa Fe Institute (2003-2005)
• Guggenheim Fellow (2006-2007).

Why is the Global Mediterranean Action Network exciting to you?
Global problems need global solutions that can make possible local changes. Coordination and teamwork is essential to move forward our conservation goals for Mediterranean ecosystems. In this context a global network is not only urgently needed but probably one of the key components for a long-term strategy for efficient and effective conservation.

What are your favorite species and/or landscapes?
My favorite landscapes are the Atacama desert and Puna in northern Chile. I have spent more than twenty years working in these ecosystems, which are paradigmatic in terms of the complexities underlying the interaction between humans and nature.

What activities do you enjoy in your spare time?
Photography and philosophy.