Foundations for the future: a long-term plan for Australian ecosystem science

A strong and sustainable Australian ecosystem science enterprise is vital for understanding and securing ecosystems in the face of current and future challenges.

This plan defines the vision and key directions for a national ecosystem science capability that will enable Australia to understand and effectively manage its ecosystems for decades to come.

The vision guiding the development of this plan is that in 20 years’ time, the status of Australian ecosystems and how they change will be widely reported and understood, and the prosperity and wellbeing they provide will be secure.

The report identifies six equal priority areas for action to achieve this vision.

Developed collaboratively through extensive national consultation across 2013–14, the plan was endorsed by the Academy and the National Committee for Ecology, Evolution and Conservation.