My principal interest is currently focused on the interface between biogeography and conservation biology. This has led me to the deconstruction of traditional island biogeography and to a forward-looking approach that integrates advances in landscape ecology, phylogeography, ecosystem management, and conservation biology. This was achieved through a focus on the geographic place (see development of the eigenplace concept in J. Biogeography 31). In teaching, I prefer field-based and problem-solving courses. My annual spring course provides a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in field techniques and interdisciplinary research approaches.

Island biogeography and the insular-continental polarity concept interest me as well as regional and latitudinal dissimilarities of faunal ensembles. New models on continental biogeography and global change are in the works. Urgently needed are regional studies of biogeographic places and landscapes (by county, watershed, small country) as well as paradigm-challenging theses.