Dr. Sietze Norder

Biography

I am deeply fascinated by the enormous variety of life on Earth, including millions of plant and animal species and thousands of cultures and languages. However, biological and cultural diversity is unevenly distributed across the globe. As a biogeographer, I strive to understand these disparities. In my research, I utilize islands as model systems to study how biodiversity patterns are influenced by topography, climate, and socio-cultural factors. I confront multiple global challenges, including the biodiversity crisis and the climate crisis. The extreme rate at which plant and animal species go extinct, as well as the disappearance of languages and cultures, is alarming. The fate of human beings is deeply interwoven with that of the rest of the living world, which is something we often seem to forget. To bend the curve of biodiversity loss, we must reinvent our relationship with the living world. I see 'islands of sustainability' as a means to accelerate the transition towards sustainable societies. By sharing my passion for the science of human-environment relationships, I hope to contribute to this transition.

Research Interests