Field with crops alongside forest plantation.

Research in farming systems, forestry and ecology.

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.

  • 25 January 2010 | Updated 14 October 2011

Overview

The Agricultural and Forest Ecosystems Program features research on sustainable production of food and wood fibre, native ecosystem ecology and health, conservation, natural resource management trade-offs and land use planning.

Researchers are located in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Hobart, Perth, Melbourne, Sydney and Toowoomba, Australia.

National and international priorities

Research activities target national and international priorities:

  • reducing greenhouse gas emissions and energy use
  • sustainable production of food and wood fibre
  • adapting agricultural and forest management to climate change
  • addressing degradation of natural resources
  • conserving biodiversity
  • water security.

Our research also contributes to a range of major CSIRO initiatives, particularly the Sustainable Agriculture Flagship, the Climate Adaptation Flagship, Water for a Healthy Country Flagship, Energy Transformed Flagship and the Biodiversity portfolio.

Research groups

The program has more than 220 (125 full-time equivalent) staff from a range of professional disciplines working in three research groups.

Farming systems

Finding better ways to manage agricultural systems and lands so that food and fibre production can be sustained in balance with environmental and socioeconomic outcomes.

Forest Systems Group

This group integrates a wealth of research and knowledge on the structure, function, values and benefits of Australia’s natural and planted forests under current and future climates.

Ecology Group

CSIRO researchers are using their wealth of knowledge and tools to guide sustainability within changing landscapes, land uses and climate and explore trade-offs in natural resource management.

Partnerships

Our researchers collaborate with other research agencies, universities and governments on projects in Australia and overseas, particularly in South-East Asia and Africa.

In many cases our science is setting international benchmarks in areas such as carbon accounting, climate change responses and agricultural productivity and resource management.

Some of our major project collaborators include:

  • Agricultural Production Systems Research Unit
  • Tasmanian Institute of Agricultural Research
  • South Australian Research and Development Institute
  • State government agencies.

Learn more about CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences.