Dr. Elli Groner

Elli Groner is the scientific director of the Dead Sea and Arava Science Center (Israel Ministry of Science). He is also a faculty member at the Arava Institute. He specializes on hyper-arid ecosystem processes studying the structure and function of life beyond the limit, especially eco-hydrology. He develops the concept of desert ecosystem integrity that evaluates the value of ecosystems bases on self-organization. This is done by studying biodiversity, food-webs and how the ecosystems function. Elli also studies the interactions between human society and desert ecosystems including ecosystem services (what nature gives people) and conservation. He is very fond of beetles and found a new species that is now named after him (Brachycerus groneri). He lives in Mitzpe Ramon with his wife and 3 children.