Ecology takes on the human touch
CSIRO Wildlife and Ecology turned 50 in 1999 amid debate about funding directions that favour applied research. While some fear the loss of 'pure science', others say that people belong to ecological systems, and understanding and influencing their role is part of the challenge of ecological research. A wide range of the division's projects now demonstrate a greater engagement of the scientist with society. A consequence of this has been the identification of new issues requiring basic research.