Jan Eric Ingvar Kärnefelt (born 1944) is a Swedish lichenologist.
Early life and education
Kärnefelt was born in Gothenburg, Sweden in 1944. His initial goal in his higher-level studies at
University of Cologne
The University of Cologne (german: Universität zu Köln) is a university in Cologne, Germany. It was established in the year 1388 and is one of the most prestigious and research intensive universities in Germany. It was the sixth university to ...
in 1966–1967 was to become a dentist. He changed courses in 1968, turning instead to biology at the
University of Gothenburg
The University of Gothenburg ( sv, Göteborgs universitet) is a university in Sweden's second largest city, Gothenburg. Founded in 1891, the university is the third-oldest of the current Swedish universities and with 37,000 students and 6000 st ...
in 1968.
Gunnar Degelius
Gunnar Bror Fritiof Degelius (né Nilsson until 1932; 27 January 1903 – 22 July 1993) was a Swedish lichenologist. Between the publications of his first and final scientific papers, Degelius had a 70-year-long research career. While he was ...
, his first teacher during undergraduate studies in botany in 1968, inspired him and others. After Degelius' retirement in 1969, Ingvar continued his studies at
Lund University
, motto = Ad utrumque
, mottoeng = Prepared for both
, established =
, type = Public research university
, budget = SEK 9 billion Hans Runemark held a position in
systematic botany
Plant taxonomy is the science that finds, identifies, describes, classifies, and names plants. It is one of the main branches of taxonomy (the science that finds, describes, classifies, and names living things).
Plant taxonomy is closely allied ...
. In 1971 he met Ove Almborn, who became his supervisor. In 1979, he defended his thesis titled "The brown fruticose species of ''Cetraria''". The thesis was later awarded a prize for the best
doctoral dissertation
A thesis ( : theses), or dissertation (abbreviated diss.), is a document submitted in support of candidature for an academic degree or professional qualification presenting the author's research and findings.International Standard ISO 7144: ...
in botany at Lund University during a 5-year period by the
Royal Physiographic Society in Lund The Royal Physiographic Society in Lund ( sv, Kungliga Fysiografiska Sällskapet i Lund), is one of the Royal Academies in Sweden. It was founded in Lund, on December 2, 1772, and received a Royal Charter by Gustav III, on March 6, 1778.
.
Career
Kärnefelt became associate professor at the Department of Systematic Botany at the University of Lund, where he mentored several PhD students.
Kärnefelt's research interests include the
Parmeliaceae
The Parmeliaceae is a large and diverse family of Lecanoromycetes. With over 2700 species in 71 genera, it is the largest family of lichen-forming fungi. The most speciose genera in the family are the well-known groups: '' Xanthoparmelia'' ( ...
and the
Teloschistaceae
The Teloschistaceae are a large family of mostly lichen-forming fungi belonging to the class Lecanoromycetes in the division Ascomycota. The family, estimated to contain over 1800 species, was extensively revised in 2013, including the creati ...
, both
families
Family (from la, familia) is a group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its members and of society. Ideal ...
in which he described several taxa new to science. In 1987 he started a project regarding the status of
threatened
Threatened species are any species (including animals, plants and fungi) which are vulnerable to endangerment in the near future. Species that are threatened are sometimes characterised by the population dynamics measure of ''critical depensa ...
lichens in southern Sweden. This project, which was extended until 1995, provided funding for his PhD students and resulted in the publication of a highly cited book in 1997. Kärnefelt became director of the Botaniska trädgården in 1994, and Professor in 2000. He was able to secure funding from the to support digitization and curation of collections in Swedish biological museums.
Kärnefelt was the president of the
International Association for Lichenology
The International Association for Lichenology (IAL) is an organisation that encourages the understanding of lichens and lichenology, and promotes their study and conservation worldwide. It unites lichenologists across the globe, as well as national ...
from 1992–1996, and later elected Honorary President of this association for life. In the period 1997–2005 he was the
editor-in-chief
An editor-in-chief (EIC), also known as lead editor or chief editor, is a publication's editorial leader who has final responsibility for its operations and policies.
The highest-ranking editor of a publication may also be titled editor, managing ...
for the journal of the Nordic Lichen Society, ''Graphis Scripta'', and has been on the editorial board of the ''
Nordic Journal of Botany
The ''Nordic Journal of Botany'' is a bimonthly Peer review, peer-reviewed scientific journal of botany, including the Taxonomy (biology), taxonomy, evolution, Wildlife conservation, conservation, and biogeography of plants, algae, bryophytes, and ...
'' since 2001.
Recognition
He had an entire issue of ''
The Lichenologist
''The Lichenologist'' is a peer reviewed scientific journal specializing in lichenology. It is published bimonthly by the British Lichen Society. According to the ''Journal Citation Reports'', the 2020 impact factor of ''The Lichenologist'' is ...
'' (volume 41, issue 5, 2009) dedicated to him, with articles written by former students.