Prize Winners

Curriculum Vitae

Professor of Ecology at the Faculty of Biology, University of Seville

Jury ruling

The jury for the Rei Jaume I Prize for Environmental Protection, meeting in Gandia (Alicante), has unanimously decided to award the 1995 prize to Mr Francisco García Novo.

This is in recognition of his interest, dating back to 1970, in the field of ecological regulation (factors, climate, soil, atmosphere, water). In 1974, he formulated static models and, in 1976, dynamic models, which he subsequently applied more broadly to Mediterranean vegetation.

He has developed the mapping and classification of natural ecosystems, laying the foundations for their historical dating in 1983. Starting with Doñana, he has extended his research to central Spain, Portugal, Morocco and, finally, France, Italy and Greece through the Medimont project (1992–95), analysing desertification and the historical transformation of Mediterranean resources and countries.

His environmental interest has led him to develop original methods for monitoring and detecting changes in ecosystems. His studies on fish ecology have represented a considerable scientific advance. Long-term monitoring (15–20 years) of fluctuations and population dynamics offers new insights into Mediterranean ecosystems and enables the calibration of global change processes.

His interest in the analysis of vegetation structure has led him to use non-taxonomic categories. He has tested the concept of the morpho-functional syndrome in the Mediterranean basin, Tierra del Fuego and New Mexico.

In summary, he has been extensively involved in research programmes on ecology, ecophysiology, natural resources and the environment at numerous Spanish and foreign universities, beginning with his studies in Doñana National Park and, in 1992, establishing the aquatic ecology station on Isla de la Cartuja, which led to the launch of a new water research centre in 1994.

He has published numerous articles in leading scientific journals, and his involvement with the UNESCO Biosphere Programme is particularly noteworthy.