Staff news

Senior Honorary Professorial Fellow: Peter Furley

Peter Furley has been made a Senior Honorary Professorial Fellow.

headshot peter furley

Professor Furley studied Geography at the University of Oxford, specialising in Geomorphology, and gained a doctorate in Soil Science.

His work has centred on tropical biogeography, linking environmental issues to development.

His principal research interests have concerned the evaluation of tropical soils and the relationship between soil properties and plant communities.

Most of this work has been concentrated in the Neotropics, notably in Central America and in parts of South America, particularly Brazil.

Over the past 40 years, Professor Furley has led and co-led numerous expeditions and research projects throughout the tropics.

These trips have focused on land use, development issues and fundamental problems within biogeography and ecology.

After moving to Edinburgh, Professor Furley has had the opportunity to work in many parts of the tropics, including China, Australia, various regions of Africa, India and Nepal. He also has a long-term association with South and Central America.

He was a Foundation Professor in the Ecology Department of Brasilia University. He has also worked at the universities of Zimbabwe (Harare) and Yangling (Shaanxi), and for more than 40 years in Belize (formerly as the Chairman of the UK Belize Association).

Professor Furley is currently involved with a Darwin Initiative project in Belize, assessing the lowland savannas from the point of view of their ecological significance and conservation.

Related Links

The Darwin Initiative