Professor Ilkka Hanski was a distinguished Finnish ecologist who served as Professor of Zoology and Animal Ecology at the University of Helsinki. Born in 1953, he began his academic career at the University of Helsinki where he was appointed docent in zoology in 1981. He served as acting professor of animal ecology from 1988 to 1991 before being appointed full professor in 1993, a position he held until his untimely death in 2016. During his tenure, he significantly reformed the teaching of zoology, modernized field courses in ecology, and established study modules in English. Hanski was widely recognized as one of Finland's most prominent scientists, culminating in his receipt of the honorary title of Academician of Science from the Academy of Finland in 2015.
Professor Hanski pioneered the field of metapopulation biology, developing the theoretical framework that explains how species persist in fragmented landscapes through networks of local populations connected by dispersal. His groundbreaking long-term field studies on the Glanville fritillary butterfly in the Åland Islands, beginning in 1991, provided the empirical foundation for metapopulation theory and became a model system for understanding species' responses to habitat fragmentation. By combining sophisticated mathematical modeling with extensive ecological monitoring data, Hanski established critical thresholds for habitat loss that predict when fragmented populations face extinction risks. His seminal work fundamentally transformed conservation biology, providing the scientific basis for modern approaches to biodiversity preservation in human-altered landscapes. The metapopulation concept has become one of the most influential ideas in late 20th century ecology, with applications extending across numerous species and ecosystems worldwide.
Hanski's intellectual leadership extended beyond his research as he actively advocated for biodiversity conservation, emphasizing that ecologists bear responsibility not only for producing knowledge but also for its application in societal decision-making. He trained numerous students and mentored the next generation of ecologists, leaving an enduring legacy through his former colleagues and students who continue to advance ecological science globally. In recognition of his transformative contributions, he received numerous prestigious awards including the Balzan Prize, the Crafoord Prize, and the BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award. His influence continues to shape contemporary ecological research and conservation practices, with the University of Helsinki establishing the Academician Ilkka Hanski Fund to support future work in population and conservation biology. Though his promising research into the connections between human environment, biodiversity, and inflammatory diseases was cut short by his death, his foundational work remains essential to addressing the biodiversity crisis in the Anthropocene.
