Dr. Elli Groner serves as the leader researcher of the Center for Arid Socio-Ecology, ecology faculty at the Arava Institute, and as the Scientific Director of the Dead Sea and Arava Science Center.
Dr. Groner completed his B.Sc and M.Sc degrees in Environmental Biology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He then went on to complete a Ph.D. in Ecology at Leeds University in the United Kingdom.
He specializes in desert biodiversity, ecosystem integrity and ecosystem services. His research involves comparing arid and hyper-arid ecosystems in their structure, function and services. Dr. Groner investigates foodwebs and the integrity of ecosystems and how they are self-organized differently in arid and hyper-arid ecosystems. He specializes in desert arthropods and his favorite creatures are darkling beetles (Tenebrionidae). He recently found a new species to science of weevil that was named Brachycerus groneri.
He is working on ecosystem integrity of the desert including the link between biodiversity, ecosystem and landscape ecology. He works on restoration of disturbed areas like the Evrona oil spill, and how to maintain their integrity. He works on the link between ecosystem integrity and services in the desert. This project involves working with neighbors across the border. He is also in charge of the national monitoring of acacia trees and studies other aspects of them. He runs research in two Long Term Ecological Research sites (Wadi Shita and Ramon). Recently he started a research on climate change impact on the ecology of arid environments.
Dr. Groner lives in Mitzpe Ramon with his wife, three children, a dog, a cat, and seven hamsters.
