The International Biogeography Society (IBS) is the scientific society for research in biogeography - ie the distribution of organisms in geographical space and through geological time.

The IBS Distinguished Fellow Award is a newly created honorary award that the society can give to selected members that have made an outstanding contribution to the field of research.

Jens-Christian Svenning was nominated for his many diverse contributions to biogeography, including macroecology, global change ecology, biodiversity and ecological sustainability in terrestrial systems around the world. Also his integration of predictive modelling, past history, the application of informatics, and spaceborne and other remote sensing technology are noted.