Stephen Porder, Fulbright-Tocqueville distinguished chair, gave his inaugural lesson at the Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris on April 7.
More than 45 people participated via videoconference. At the intersection of ecology and geology, Dr. Porder's research in the tropical forests of Hawai'i and Brazil have contributed to a better understanding of the relationship between erosion, soils and forest ecosystems. Dr. Porder spoke of his work on the limits on growth in tropical rain forests, the challenges facing industrial agriculture and the social, economic and ecological challenges facing largescale efforts to encourage reforestation in the tropics.
Stephen Porder is a professor at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. He is currently hosted by professor Jérôme Gaillardet at the IPGP in Paris through a prestigious Fulbright grant.
