Our Research

Agricultural and forest ecosystems
Agricultural and forest ecosystems

- The Agricultural and Forest Ecosystems Program brings together research in farming systems, ecology and forest science to tackle key national and global challenges. Researchers are located around Australia.

Social and economic sciences
Social and economic sciences

- Over 80 scientists are currently engaged in CSIRO’s Social and Economic Sciences Research Program, making it one of the largest social science research programs in the world focused on natural resource management and sustainability challenges.

Functional ecology and systematics
Functional ecology and systematics

- The Functional Ecology and Systematics Program is helping to manage the increasing threat from invasive species and the benefits to agriculture from ecosystem services while ensuring the preservation and sustainable use of Australian ecosystems.

Urban systems
Urban systems

- CSIRO's Urban systems program is undertaking research to understand the interconnected processes between human, natural and built systems necessary to develop more sustainable and ecologically sensitive urban areas that provide better environmental, economic and community outcomes.

Tropical and arid systems
Tropical and arid systems

- CSIRO’s Tropical and Arid Systems Program has around 60 staff located in Alice Springs, Atherton, Cairns, Darwin and Townsville. We conduct research on Indigenous livelihoods, fire and savanna dynamics, tropical forest ecology, grazing systems and grazing land condition, invasive species and biodiversity conservation. While we are based in northern and central Australia, our work addresses national and international challenges.

Environmental biotechnology and genomics
Environmental biotechnology and genomics

- The Environmental Biotechnology and Genomics Program is contributing to the development of new environmental and bioindustries biotechnologies, and helping to build an understanding of the impact insects have on our environment and agriculture.

Our Expertise

People

People Slideshow
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Dr Mark Lonsdale: Chief, CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences

Dr Mark Lonsdale is Chief of CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences and has extensive experience in studying plant ecology and biological invasions in the United Kingdom, Africa and Australia.

Dr Daniel Walker: leading sustainable natural resource management

Dr Daniel Walker is Deputy Chief of CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences.

Dr Gary Fitt: Director, Biosecurity Flagship

Dr Gary Fitt is Director CSIRO Biosecurity Flagship and is focusing on protecting Australia from the biosecurity threats and risks posed by serious exotic and endemic pests and diseases.

Dr Peter Stone: developing and managing science partnerships that tackle major land use issues

Dr Peter Stone is Deputy Chief of CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences. His work history includes farm management, food industry consulting, grain marketing and agricultural research. For much of the last 15 years, his research has focused on the use of contested land-based resources, seeking to understand the intersection of a range of scientific, community and industry perspectives.

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Facilities

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Australian National Wildlife Collection

The ANWC is a leading research centre that provides important information on Australia’s wildlife heritage through the collection of land vertebrates including birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals

Australian National Insect Collection (ANIC)

The Australian National Insect Collection (ANIC) is the world's largest collection of Australian insects and related groups such as mites, spiders, earthworms, nematodes and centipedes.

CSIRO Pyrotron: A National Bushfire Research Facility

A national research facility testing combustion and spread of bushfires to improve fire safety and fire-fighting for Australian communities.

Atherton rainforest arboretum and herbarium reference collection

The arboretum of over 1 300 trees, shrubs and vines from northern Australia, and a reference herbarium in Atherton is used for research and public education.

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Achievments

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Industrial biotechnology and biomaterials

Industrial biotechnology and biomaterials research involves investigating insects and other invertebrates as new sources for biomaterials.

Recovering biodiversity and promoting sustainable agriculture in the Queensland Brigalow Belt

Potential exists for avoiding resource degradation, recovering biodiversity values and promoting sustainable agriculture, by deliberately integrating regrowth and mature stands of vegetation with dryland cropping systems in Queensland’s Brigalow Belt.

Beetle (Coleoptera) research at CSIRO

Research at CSIRO is examining the evolution and classification of beetles, also known as Coleoptera.

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Partnerships

Partnerships Slideshow
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National Invertebrate Pest Initiative (NIPI)

The National Invertebrate Pest Initiative (NIPI) brings together Australian scientists from State Departments, Universities, growers and CSIRO to improve pest management in Australian grain crops.

The Bushfire CRC: understanding bushfires through collaboration

The bushfire research program at CSIRO is part of a large-scale collaborative effort.

DIVERSITAS: an integrative approach to biodiversity science

DIVERSITAS links biology, ecology and social sciences, to develop socially relevant knowledge that supports sustainable use of biodiversity.

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Making a difference

Climate Change

Providing comprehensive, rigorous science to help Australia understand, respond to and plan for a changing climate.

Biodiversity and ecology overview

We are applying our expertise and resources across many science disciplines to one of the world's key natural resource challenges: sustaining biodiversity in genes, plants, animals and entire ecosystems.

Biosecurity and invasive species

To help protect Australia's ecosystems, CSIRO is undertaking invasive species research at pre-border, border and post-border level.

Bioindustries in CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences

In support of a developing bioeconomy in Australia, CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences is conducting research on industrial biotechnology and biomaterials; environmental biotechnology and enzymology; and sensory biology.

Sustainable Agriculture Flagship: addressing productivity and food security in a carbon constrained world

Achieving another agricultural revolution.

Population sustainability overview

The debate on population policy requires clear scientific advice about how our population is likely to affect resources, environmental sustainability, the economy and society. CSIRO researches these areas to predict how population policies may affect our sustainability.

Quality biosensors

The Food Futures Flagship is pioneering biosensor technology which can be applied to food manufacturing, healthcare and Australia’s biosecurity and defence efforts.

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