The award is reserved for an outstanding early career ecologist who is starting to make a significant contribution to the science of ecology.

Dr Clements works on the interface between experimental ecology and conservation biology, with his research focusing on developing and testing early warning signals of population collapse, with a view to predicting regime shifts prior to their occurrence. To do this he and his group synthesise information from mathematical models, small-scale experimental systems, and long-term wild population data.

Dr Clements said: “I am honestly still overwhelmed by it. The BES is such an institution that it’s hard to express how honoured I feel. Receiving this has really motivated me to continue to do the research I love, as well as making me very thankful to all the people who have helped get me here – fantastic supervisors, collaborators, and now my own students and lab group members.

“The BES has been central to all of this – I’ve been attending the annual meetings since I was a student, and they’ve significantly shaped my research, network of collaborators, and the opportunities I’ve had.”

Ten distinguished ecologists and groups whose work has benefited the scientific community and society in general were recognised. The British Ecological Society (BES) announced today the winners of its annual awards and prizes.

The winners will be presented with their prizes during a ceremony held at the BES Annual Meeting which runs from 18 – 21 December in Edinburgh. The meeting will bring together over 1,000 ecologists (in person and online) to discuss the latest advances in ecological research across the whole discipline.