The University of New Mexico

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Media Contact: Steve Carr, (505) 277-1821; e-mail: scarr@unm.edu

May 2, 2006

UNM Ecologist Selected as Recipient of Distinguished Landscape Ecologist Award

The U.S. Chapter of the International Association for Landscape Ecology (US-IALE) recently selected University of New Mexico Professor Bruce T. Milne as the recipient of the 2006 Distinguished Landscape Ecologist Award, the most prestigious honor bestowed by the Chapter.

The honor is given to recognize distinguished scientific contributions to the field of landscape ecology, which is the study of plants and animals in relation to land and water over vast regions such as mountain ranges, drainage basins, parks and urban areas.

Milne was recognized with the award at the annual meeting of the US-IALE in San Diego earlier this spring, largely for his application of fractal geometry to landscapes throughout the U.S.

"When the field of landscape ecology started over 20 years ago, we had the fun of inventing it as we went along. We took intellectual risks while maintaining rigor, so it is thrilling to be recognized with this award."

An ecologist in the Department of Biology, Milne is the 13 th recipient of the award and joins an impressive list of scientists whose work has helped to shape the field of landscape ecology. Landscape ecology uses geographic information systems and remote sensing to study how flows of organisms, resources, and pollutants are affected by spatial context.

Milne and his students have emphasized the ways in which thresholds in landscape pattern affect the habitats of spotted owls, Florida panthers, desert beetles, and vegetation.

The award is given specifically to recognize those unique individuals whose thinking, writing and mentoring have helped to shape the field of landscape ecology. It highlights those scholars whose scientific endeavors pervade our discipline and its continuing development. The award is ordinarily given for outstanding scientific achievement over a period of a decade or more.

 


The University of New Mexico is the state's largest university, serving more than 32,000 students. UNM is home to the state's only schools of law, medicine, pharmacy and architecture and operates New Mexico's only academic health center. UNM is noted for comprehensive undergraduate programs and research that benefits the state and the nation.

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