The field of work entitled ‘Ecology’ includes all research involving plants, aquatic animals, fish, birds and marine mammals. This includes both salt and fresh water species.

Many aquatic ecosystems are under threat from human activities and their effects. These include fishing, climate change, sand extraction, wind parks, land reclamation and water management shemes. Our role is to advise on the stewardship of such ecosystems and to provide answers to questions about the impact of such activities. We do this at both the national and international level, in conjunction with other institutes.

In order to answer this type of question, knowledge of ecology, animal populations and the proliferation of species is crucial. We maintain and develop this knowledge through long-term monitoring programmes. These are supplemented by research involving field studies, experimental studies, literature and model studies.