NbSI Director receives Marsh Award for Ecology

We are delighted to announce that our director, Professor Nathalie Seddon, has been awarded the Marsh Award for Ecology by the British Ecological Society.

This award recognises researchers whose work has advanced ecological science and its practical application. Professor Seddon was selected for her pioneering interdisciplinary research on nature-based solutions and will accept the award at the British Ecological Society’s Annual Meeting in December, where she will also deliver the Georgina Mace lecture. Her widely cited research, along with her leadership roles at the Nature-based Solutions Initiative and Agile Initiative at the University of Oxford and position on the UK Climate Change Committee, have solidified her reputation as a leading authority in the field.

“Receiving this award is a tremendous honour, especially considering the exceptional ecologists who have inspired me over the years. Interdisciplinary research that integrates ecology with other disciplines plays a vital role in addressing climate change and biodiversity loss. I am thrilled to receive an award that highlights the importance of this work and am deeply grateful to the many wonderful people who have supported me throughout my career.” Prof Nathalie Seddon

From an interview with the British Ecological Society on winning the award:

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.

Find out more about the Marsh Award for Ecology.