Stuart Pimm's Pew Fellowship supported several initiatives. First, he conducted studies on the endangered Cape Sable sparrow. He also focused on restoration of Florida's Everglades, where his research and policy development efforts have changed the way water will be delivered.
In addition, Pimm's quantification of the global extent of species extinctions has attracted considerable national and international attention from the media. He notes that, although extinction is a naturally-occurring process, the Earth is now faced with a greatly increased extinction rate. Compared with background rates of extinction, as calculated from the fossil record, he estimates that over the last century extinction rates have increased by between 100 and 1000 times. "If current rates of habitat destruction continue, and evidence suggests they are in fact accelerating, then within 50 years nearly half of the planet's species would face extinction," says Pimm.
Stuart Pimm's practical and theoretical work on endangered species in the Pacific basin, in Everglades National Park, Florida, and in Europe has led to important new approaches to the management of such species. His research covers the reasons why species become extinct, how fast they do so, the global patterns of habitat loss and species extinction, the role of introduced species in causing extinction and, importantly, the management consequences of this research. Pimm's commitment to the interface between science and policy has lead to his testimony for U.S. House and Senate Committees on the re-authorization of the Endangered Species Act.
Pimm has written over 150 scientific papers, including three review articles in Nature and Science and four books, including The Balance of Nature? Ecological Issues in the Conservation of Species and Communities and his 2001 global assessment of biodiversity's future: The World According to Pimm: A Scientist Audits the Earth. The Institute of Scientific Information recognized him in 2002 as being one of the world's most highly cited scientists.
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Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences
EDUCATION
Ph.D., New Mexico State University
1974: Biology, New Mexico, USA
Bachelor of Arts, Oxford University
1971: Zoology, England
KEY LEADERSHIP POSITIONS
Committee on the Environment, Congressional Testimony
Senate
Committee on Resources, Congressional Testimony
House
Stanford University Center for Conservation Biology
Scientific Advisory Board
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Pacific Island Bird Recovery Coordinating Committee
KEY AWARDS & HONORS
Fellowship
1999: Aldo Leopold Leadership Program
Kempe Prize for Distinguished Ecologists
1994
Marine Fellow
1993: Pew Fellows Program in Conservation and the Environment
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