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CSIRO aims to establish and build relationships with members of the community. We welcome people of all ages to come and explore our facilities, holiday programs and public events.

Contact

Phone:

1300 363 400

Email:

enquiries@csiro.au

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About CSIRO

CSIRO, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, is Australia's national science agency and one of the largest and most diverse research agencies in the world.

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Ecosystem Sciences

We apply multidisciplinary science to the sustainability of Australia's agriculture and forestry, built environments, biodiversity, communities, and industries.

A picture of a louse.

They make you itch and they are hard to find but scientists have got the body louse well and truly in their sights.

Farmer inspecting his sweet lime horticulture crop, watered by drip-irrigation, India.

Farming communities in many parts of Asia are highly vulnerable to climate change.

A high-intensity gamba grass fire.

Important biosecurity issues are being ignored in the global push to develop new non-food crops for biofuels.

The upper toothrows of Upper toothrows of Timor's extinct giant rat (left) and the skull of a black rat (right).

Archaeological research in East Timor has unearthed the bones of the biggest rat that ever lived.

Our Research

Long rows of crops.

Agricultural and forest ecosystems

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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. Learn more>

Three people sitting at a table.

Social and economic sciences

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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. Learn more>

Murrumbidgee River with lucerne and wheat crops.

Functional ecology and systematics

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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. Learn more>

Looking up at a high rise city centre.

Urban systems

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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. Learn more>

Arid Landscape.

Tropical and arid systems

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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. Learn more>

Close-up of 96-well plate stained green.

Environmental biotechnology and genomics

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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. Learn more>

Our Expertise

People

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Portrait image of Dr Mark Lonsdale.
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
Dr Daniel Walker: leading sustainable natural resource management

Dr Daniel Walker is Deputy Chief of CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences.

Portrait image of Dr Gary Fitt, Deputy Chief of Entomology.
Dr Gary Fitt: Deputy Chief, CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences

Dr Gary Fitt's research on the Helicoverpa moth has greatly assisted in the development of Bt cotton resistance management.

Dr Peter Stone.
Dr Peter Stone: developing and managing partnerships to tackle major land use issues

Dr Peter Stone is Deputy Chief of CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences. He has spent the last 10 years developing and managing project partnerships with collaborators tackling major land use issues such as erosion, water quality, salinity and biodiversity.

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Facilities

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Parrot specimens, ANWC, Canberra
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

Collection Hall at CSIRO's National Biology Collections
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.

Fuel bed and viewing section of the CSIRO Pyrotron with reflections of observers.
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.

A picutre of some of the trees included in the Atherton Arboretum.
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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Colourful image of a collagen triple helix.
Industrial biotechnology and biomaterials

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

Image of a paddock with rows of a crop with Brigalow trees in the background
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.

Ladybird beetle (coccinellidae) on a leaf.
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

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Field of flowering canola
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.

Firefighters on the left hand side observe and investigate a bushfire experiment in Ngakart, South Australia.
The Bushfire CRC: understanding bushfires through collaboration

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

Green tree ants.
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

Saltbush plains suffering the effects of wind erosion during drought near Booligal, NSW.
Climate Change

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

North Queensland Rainforest canopy
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.

Man in swamp with insect net
Biosecurity and invasive species

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

Two scientists performing molecular research in a laboratory.
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.

Yellow flowers of a canola crop in an Australian paddock
Sustainable Agriculture Flagship: addressing productivity and food security in a carbon constrained world

Achieving another agricultural revolution.

Crowd of people walking on bridge.
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.

Glass of wine.
Quality biosensors

To maintain Australia's position as a global leader in wine production, the Food Futures Flagship is working closely with the wine industry on research into biosensors and flavour identification in wines and grape berries.

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Contact Information

Mr Ben Creagh

Communication Manager

CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences

Phone: 61 7 3833 5523

Alt Phone: 61 4 1774 2552

Email: Ben.Creagh@csiro.au

Explore CSIRO

Community

CSIRO aims to establish and build relationships with members of the community. We welcome people of all ages to come and explore our facilities, holiday programs and public events.

Contact

Phone:

1300 363 400

Email:

enquiries@csiro.au

More contact options

About CSIRO

CSIRO, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, is Australia's national science agency and one of the largest and most diverse research agencies in the world.

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