Ilkka Hanski

Ilkka Hanski (born in Lempäälä, Finland 14 February 1953) is a scientist, working in the field of ecology, at Helsinki University, Finland. The Metapopulation Research Group lead by Hanski has been nominated as a Center of Excellence by the Academy of Finland. The group studies species living in fragmented landscapes and attempts to advance such reserach of metapopulation ecology that can be applied to preserving nature. Metapopulation ecology itself studies populations of plants and animals which are separated in space by occupying patches.

Ilkka Hanski took his Bachelor's degree and Licentiate's degree in the University of Helsinki in 1976 and Doctoral degree in Oxford in1979. Has was appointed as a docent in the University of Helsinki in 1981 and in the University of Joensuu in 1983. Hanski was a graduatestudent in Oxford from 1976 to 1979. He has worked in the Academyof Finland from 1978 to 1988 as well as from 1991 to 1992. He workedas an acting professor of zoology in the University of Helsinki from1988 to 1991, and was appointed (full) professorship of zoology in1993. Hanski has work as an Academy Professor of the Academy of Finland from 1996. In June 2005, he was the second Finnish scientistever made an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of London. In April2006, he was made an Honorary Fellow of the National Academy ofSciences. Hanski is married and lives in Finland. Hanski regards fixinghis house a hobby.

The central questions of metapopulation biology studies by Hanski haveseveral practical applications. For example, understanding biodiversityand population variability is essential for practical work inconservation biology and in regional planning. Mathematical modelsdeveloped by the Hanski group can be used to build and promote coexistenceof Man and Nature, for instance in urban environments where planningof green areas bears importance.

The field research of the Glanville fritillary butterfly in Ahvenanmaais a well-known classical model system. The scientific literature producedby Hanski is rather enormous; he has written more than 200 scientificarticles and edited several books. He is one of the most cited Finnishscientists.

Hanski is also an active advocate of nature and biodiversity, and heparticipates in public debates. His central view is that the responsibilityof ecologists is not restricted to producing scientific information but includesavid participation in the processes using the information produced.

References and links

* [http://www.helsinki.fi/~ihanski/ homepage]
* [http://hcr3.isiknowledge.com/author.cgi?&link1=Search&link2=Search%20Results&AuthLastName=hanski&AuthFirstName=&AuthMiddleName=&AuthMailnstName=&CountryID=-1&DisciplineID=0&id=1328 Page on ISI highly cited]