Interviews with the ATBC 2024 Honorary Fellows

Miguel Martínez Ramos

1- What drew you to tropical biology?

During my undergraduate studies at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), I had the incredible opportunity to take a field course on vegetation analysis methods taught by Professor José Sarukhán, whom I consider one of Mexico's founders of tropical ecology. As part of the course, we visited the Los Tuxtlas Tropical Biology Station, managed by UNAM. The academic impact of the course, combined with the remarkable biological diversity of the tropical rainforest in Los Tuxtlas, left such a profound impression on me that I dreamed of joining Dr. Sarukhán’s research group. He invited me to develop my undergraduate thesis at Los Tuxtlas, focusing on the effects of forest canopy gaps on tree population and community dynamics.

As a young student, such a start in research opened the doors to the fascinating world of ecological research and the extraordinary biodiversity of tropical forest ecosystems. Shortly after, I joined the staff of Los Tuxtlas Station as an academic technician, living there for seven years (1978-1985). During this time, I supported numerous research projects and eventually served as head of the Station for two years. This period was incredibly formative and rewarding, as I had the privilege of living with many of the most outstanding tropical biologists who came to Los Tuxtlas. I had the best teachers I could ever dream of! Participating with them in fieldwork, seminars, workshops, and symposia at Los Tuxtlas was very exciting.

I left Los Tuxtlas to begin my PhD at UNAM in Mexico City, but I returned to conduct my doctoral research on the patterns, processes, and mechanisms structuring seedling communities. Without a doubt, I consider my time in Los Tuxtlas to be the best school of tropical biology I have had in my career.

2- What are exciting research developments that happened in your field during your career?

From the 1970s to the first decade of the 21st century, there was a period of significant contributions to our understanding of the origin and evolution of tropical biodiversity, the physiology and ecology of plants and animals, biotic interactions, and the structure and functioning of tropical ecosystems. Although studies such as the 1973 paper published in Science by Arturo Gómez-Pompa, Carlos Vázquez Yanes, and Sergio Guevara had already issued an urgent call to address the deterioration of tropical forests due to human activity, much of the scientific research at that time focused on understanding tropical ecosystems and their biodiversity as if they were free of human influence.

I was particularly fascinated by the contributions to understanding how the high diversity of tree species in tropical forests is maintained on local scales. Models by Daniel Janzen and Joseph Connell highlighted the role of host-specific predators and seed dispersers in tree species coexistence. In contrast, others focused on the role of forest gaps and niche differentiation in species coexistence, while Stephen Hubbell’s model emphasized the importance of chance and biogeography. Joseph Wright published a synthesis in Biotropica, arguing that species coexistence results from multiple factors and mechanisms.

While the search for a universal theory to explain species diversity in the tropics continues, the research focus is shifting. Conservation and restoration science has gained increasing importance in response to the accelerating ecosystem degradation and loss of biodiversity in the tropics. A clear example of this shift occurred in 2003 when our association added the "C" to its acronym, changing from ATB to ATBC, emphasizing the growing focus on research, education, and social engagement in conservation, restoration, and sustainability.

In this context, research topics of increasing interest include understanding natural forest regeneration and succession in abandoned fields and developing strategies to conserve biodiversity, ecosystem functions, and the benefits that tropical forests provide to people in landscapes modified by human activity. Additionally, there is a growing push for interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches to address these pressing issues. Transdisciplinary requires collaboration across multiple academic disciplines and sectors of society beyond academia, all working together to find solutions.

3- What is your favorite memory of fieldwork?

While conducting vegetation surveys in the Los Tuxtlas rainforest, I encountered a forest clearing where a wild papaya tree (Carica papaya) was growing, full of fruits. A magnificent toucan (Ramphastos sulfuratus) was perched on the tree, eagerly eating the fruit. It was spectacular. It was a perfect picture illustrating plant-animal interactions. However, I can’t say I have a favorite memory because there are so many. I would like to highlight the years I spent living at the Los Tuxtlas Station and the fieldwork I’ve led or participated in throughout my career for the immense joy of sharing ideas, discoveries, and experiences—all while having fun. I remember that in Los Tuxtlas, we frequently organized academic meetings that ended in dance parties and sessions for singing and playing the guitar. We would also visit nearby towns to play soccer, attend their festivities, or visit families. This way of enjoying fieldwork, which I learned during those “golden years” at Los Tuxtlas, is something I’ve nurtured and carried with me wherever possible, including the ATBC global meetings (Morelia 2007 and Mérida 2017), which I organized as the Chair of those events.

4- What accomplishment by you and/or your research team are you most proud of?

During the 1980s and 1990s, we conducted detailed studies on the population dynamics of tropical tree species, using the long-lived (>120 years) understory palm Astrocaryum mexicanum and the pioneer tree Cecropia obtusifolia as study models. These studies have been referenced in the global literature on plant population ecology. The detailed nature of these studies allowed us to explore phenomena occurring at sub-population levels (genetic variability and natural selection processes) and supra-population levels (disturbance regimes caused by tree falls, natural regeneration dynamics of the forest). Other achievements I would like to highlight are: i) contributions to understanding secondary forest succession on abandoned fields as part of the international 2ndFord network, in which I collaborate with academics and students from over 25 countries; ii) contributions to the ecologically sustainable use of timber and non-timber forest products; iii) contributions to the restoration of degraded fields using population and community ecology approaches; and iv) contributions to establishing the foundations for tropical biodiversity conservation in protected natural areas and landscapes modified by human activity. Finally, I would like to mention my collaboration with the National Council of Humanities, Sciences, and Technologies of Mexico to establish an innovative program that promotes transdisciplinary projects for the conservation, restoration, or sustainable use of socio-ecological systems, most located in Mexico’s tropical regions.

5- What role did the ATBC play in your career?

ATBC has been a cornerstone of my academic career. Over nearly 40 years, I grew as a scientist within ATBC, regularly sharing research advances in the annual meetings of this great scientific association. At ATBC meetings, I have found colleagues and friends with whom I have collaborated on long-lasting research. I have also had the honor of serving in various roles within ATBC, including being a member of the ATBC Council, serving as its President, and acting as Chair for two annual meetings held in Mexico. I am currently the Chair of the ATBC Conference Committee. Through these roles, I have had the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues worldwide, exchanging ideas and actions to advance tropical biology and conservation. Beyond that, ATBC has given me a family of people who share a passion for studying tropical biodiversity and are committed to conserving extraordinary tropical ecosystems.

6- What is your advice to a young scientist starting a tropical biology and conservation career?

Since childhood, I have been curious about understanding phenomena and solving problems. I believe curiosity is a crucial element in science people. Another aspect I greatly value is using deduction as a study method, that is, arriving at general explanations based on specific observations and data. Additionally, I greatly emphasize sharing knowledge and creating supportive, enjoyable learning environments with students, colleagues, and local people involved in projects. Learning how to foster empathy, active listening, and affective and effective collaboration in the pursuit of solutions to research problems is something I consider fundamental to both academic training and science work.

More and more, there is a need for skills that enable the sharing and generating of knowledge and practices for conservation with people outside of academia, such as rural and urban communities, authorities, policymakers, and entrepreneurs. Many academics worldwide strive to achieve this, as we are learning that scientific knowledge alone is not enough to address the many socio-environmental challenges emerging with global change, especially in the tropics. Training for collaboration in interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary teams will increasingly become a vital part of the curriculum and work in tropical biology, particularly in conservation and sustainability.