Olav Skarpaas

Olav Skarpaas is a Professor at the Natural History Museum, University of Oslo, where he leads the Geo-ecological research group (GEco) since 2019. With a Dr. scient. from the University of Oslo in 2003, his career includes postdoctoral work at Penn State University and CEES, UiO, followed by research positions at the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA) before joining UiO as Professor in 2017.

Professor Skarpaas' research focuses on ecological processes controlling biodiversity distribution and dynamics, with particular expertise in spatial modeling, climatic ecology, and experimental approaches to understanding species-environment relationships. His work spans theoretical ecology and applied conservation, addressing pressing issues like climate change impacts, land use effects, and invasive species management.

His extensive publication record shows a consistent focus on biodiversity assessment methods, species distribution modeling, and ecosystem dynamics. Recent work increasingly incorporates machine learning techniques and addresses climate-biodiversity interactions at multiple scales, from local vegetation studies to global climate threshold analyses.

Professor Skarpaas actively contributes to environmental policy through projects like the Nature Index for Norway and scientific opinions for the Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food and Environment. His collaborative approach is evident in numerous national and international research projects including SeedClim, INCLINE, LATICE, and NiN.

As an educator, he teaches specialized courses in distribution modeling, Norwegian natural variation, botanical diversity, and ecological climatology, training the next generation of ecologists in both theoretical frameworks and practical analytical skills.

The Geo-ecological Research Group under his leadership serves as a hub for innovative ecological research that bridges theoretical understanding with practical conservation applications, making significant contributions to both scientific knowledge and environmental management in Norway and beyond.