Ilkka Aulis Hanski ForMemRS[1] (14 February 1953 – 10 May 2016) was a Finnish ecologist at the University of Helsinki, Finland.

The group studies species living in fragmented landscapes and attempts to advance metapopulation ecology research.

For example, understanding biodiversity and population variability is essential for practical work in conservation biology and in regional planning.

Mathematical models developed by the Hanski group can be used to build and promote coexistence of Man and Nature, for instance in urban environments where planning of green areas bears importance.

He was awarded the Crafoord Prize in biosciences 2011 "for his pioneering studies on how spatial variation affects the dynamics of animal and plant populations".