João de Vasconcelos Sobrinho, Brazilian ecologist (Moreno, Pernambuco State 28 April 1908 – Recife 04 May 1989)

Obtained worldwide fame as expert on desertification phenomenon 

Considered as one of the founders of desertology

Proposed the concept of desertification nuclei (1971)

Proposed a methodology for identifying desertification processes (1978)

Much of terms coined by him are employed in ecological terminology such as desertification nuclei and canopy permeability