Science and research
South Australia's natural environment faces many challenges. Enormous advances have been made in understanding natural systems and processes. Yet our scientists face the challenge of knowing too little about the vastness and complexity of the natural environment and about restoring balance to systems under threat.
These challenges are not insurmountable. Armed with a sound foundation in science, information, knowledge and strong partnerships, we can meet the challenges for South Australia.
We strive to continually keep our scientific knowledge up to date. We generate and interrogate science and research and use this knowledge to underpin policy and management decisions for South Australia's environmental assets.
Our science and research interests include:
- biodiversity discovery
- species and populations
- climate change
- seascapes, landscapes and communities
- ecological processes
- land condition and sustainable management
- people in the environment
- water.
Our record of scientific endeavours and its contribution to current knowledge is a worthy one. But we cannot reach our potential alone. Science is based on sharing ideas and results for further discovery, refinement and confirmation, and there are many examples in the history of scientific research where collaborative efforts have found solutions where singular efforts failed. We are always looking to develop new partnerships in an effort to help government and South Australians make good decisions about the environment and natural resources.
Our research interests and capabilities are summarised in our Science Prospectus and our priorities for future science and research in Science Directions 2010-2015.
Our databases, collections and our people hold a wealth of information useful to many researchers and on-ground project delivery agents. Our knowledge also supports key stakeholders in caring for our natural heritage.
Our recently adopted peer-review process forms the basis of quality assurance for publishing by departmental scientists.
