A Lancaster University Professor is to receive a prestigious medal from a leading learned society in recognition of their contributions to research in the Brazilian Amazon.

Jos Barlow, Professor in Conservation Science at the Lancaster Environment Centre, is to receive the Busk Medal from the Royal Geographical Society (With the Institute of British Geographers).

The Society awards the Busk Medal annually to scientists who have made outstanding contributions to ‘conservation research or for fieldwork abroad in geography or in a geographical aspect of an allied science.’

Professor Barlow has been researching the Amazon for more than a quarter of a century, looking at a range of issues such as the effects of climate change, deforestation, forest degradation and other impacts and changes to the region’s ecology. As well as publishing in leading academic journals, his work, and that of his colleagues, has also been presented to policymakers in Brazil to help inform decisions on managing and protecting the Amazon’s tropical forests.

"I am both surprised and thrilled to be awarded the Busk Medal,” he said. “The Amazon region is one of the most important on the planet, and I feel extremely lucky to have been able to study and learn from it over the last 25 years.

“While this award is to me as an individual, the achievements it recognises are the result of years of collaborative research with many inspirational people, especially the traditional and indigenous peoples who understand the forest better than any western scientist.”

Nigel Clifford, President of the Royal Geographical Society, said: “Jos is one of the leading tropical ecologists of his generation and his record of local collaboration and engagement with policymakers and stakeholders is exemplary. We are delighted to award him the Busk Medal in recognition of his pioneering contributions to the understanding of the risks of climate change and disturbance to tropical forests.”

Professor Peter Atkinson, Executive Dean of Lancaster University's Faculty of Science and Technology, said: "I am delighted to see Professor Jos Barlow’s research and broader work in conservation science recognised with the prestigious RGS-IBG Busk medal.

"Professor Barlow is remarkably committed to making a difference for local communities in South America, and to protecting the rainforest ecology. The dedication and energy that such a long-standing commitment demands should not be under-estimated, and so it is wonderful to see this recognition. Many congratulations Jos!"

First awarded in 1975, the Busk Medal is named in honour of Douglas Laird Busk, a former diplomat, mountaineer and honorary vice-president of the Royal Geographical Society.

Formed in 1830 for the advancement of geographical science, the Royal Geographical Society (with the IBG) is the learned society and professional body for geography. The medals and awards will be presented at a ceremony at the Society in London on Monday 5 June.

Jos Barlow observing forest fires in 2005