Background/Question/Methods Dan Simberloff has developed fundamental ecological and evolutionary theories that have had a major influence on ecological and evolutionary research as well as management of species, communities, and ecosystems. Over the past five decades, Simberloff has introduced diverse, influential, and sometimes controversial ideas into wide-ranging subfields of theoretical and applied science, including island biogeography, experimental design, community ecology, evolutionary biology, conservation biology, invasion ecology, and science policy. While these are primary areas of Dan’s scholarship, they are not mutually exclusive, and some of these areas have received greater attention over different points of his career trajectory.
Results/Conclusions In this talk, I will provide examples of his “greatest hits”, as suggested by citations of his publications as well as from a historical context of the development of ecological theory and methods. With over 400 scientific articles published, this overview is far from exhaustive, however I will provide examples of the diversity of scientific subdisciplines that he has influenced over his impactful career. Dan Simberloff sharpened scientific focus on island biogeography with his dissertation research, the first empirical test of the equilibrium theory of island biogeography. Additionally, this research spurred important discussions of the conservation of islands and habitat fragments. Further, his early work spurred the research community to evaluate the most appropriate experimental design and approaches to community ecology. Last, he has been the most influential scientist to shape modern invasion biology. In addition to his scholarship, Simberloff has mentored numerous scientists and students, and I will highlight some of these collaborations throughout the talk. In sum, Dan Simberloff’s contributions to ecology and evolution have not only shaped the trajectories of these disciplines but spurred novel areas of investigation in ecology, evolution, and science policy.
