1. An open consultation process with the
Australian ecosystem science community
to develop a cohesive plan for the long-term future
Review of Previous Decadal Plans:
Directing the Ecosystem Science Long-Term Plan

2. Previous long term plans:

3.  Plans reviewed:
 Not an exhaustive list!
• Australian Strategic Plan for Earth Observation from Space
• AustralianAstronomy Decadal Plan
• Australian Physics Decadal plan
• Australian Earth System Science Decadal plan
• Australian Maths Decadal Plan

4. Headings for Key Findings from Review:
• Extent and form(s) of consultation used to establish
plan
• Outline of document structure
• Did it produce any enduring outcomes that are evident ?
• How could it have been improved?
• 3-5 key points relevant to the AESLTP process?

5. Key Findings: Extent and form(s) of
consultation used to establish plan
• Majority of plans directed by steering committee
• Academy(ies) + professional society(ies)
• Discrete working groups for each task, directed by steering
committee
• Some systematic or broad consultation with main
contributing communities for input, draft document and final
document .

6. Key Findings: Outline of document structure
• Executive Summary or Key Directions/Benefits
• Clear specification of Audience and Intent
• Brief Explanation of “-------- Science”
• Status of “-------- Science” in Australia + Globally
• Required Future Directions or Challenges
(People, Research, Infrastructure, Use/Engagement)
• How to Resource the Plan orAddress Challenges
• Contributors and Process(es) Used

7. Key Findings:
Enduring outcomes that are evident
• This does require 3-5 year transition time
• Development of new policy (with bi-partisan support)
• Understanding and recognition
• Funding for high level international collaborations
• Significant funding for new research and other programs

8. Key Findings:
Improvements to the Planning Process
• Engage all relevant sections of the community(ies)
• Consistent and ongoing communication
• Clear specifications for input and review from communities
• Process must show directions to benefit whole community
• Keep documents short and accessible
• Avoid focus on why this discipline is self-important

9. Key Findings:
Points relevant to the AESLTP process:
“The key points we can use relate to a
focus on people and linking that to the
infrastructure investments, long-term
funding and the quality of the data
networks and archives. ”

10. Key Findings:
Key points relevant to the AESLTP process:
• Don’t leave consultation to the end
• Bring along key Commonwealth Agencies as part of the process to
ensure they know what is being done and can help to shape the
document so it is policy relevant
• Define where the Plan will go in future
• Ensure participants have ownership of input and all participants are
covered
• Don ‘t make it Canberra centric
• Targeted feedback sought.
• Gave current state of field to identify shortfalls.

11. Key Findings:
Key points relevant to the AESLTP process:
• Importance of connecting with other initiatives that are underway in
Australia, globally;
• Span across research, application, training and science approaches;
• Being clear who your audience is and what is the purpose of the plan;
• Importance of connecting/socialising with key stakeholder groups;
• Being clear about what is the value proposition
• Very broad consultation process – town hall meetings -
• Lots of submissions made on ideas from a broad range of groups

12. Key Findings:
Key points relevant to the AESLTP process:
• People are part of every point made and this is well
illustrated with images and quotes.
• “Far-sighted investments” ‟The funding case is made by
emphasising that the current strengths from the results
of previous investments„

13. AESLTP: A Suggested Document Structure
• Aims
• 10 Key Directions from the Plan
• Consultation Process and Contributors
• Ecosystem Science SupportingAustralia andAustralians
• Linked Decadal plans
• Impediments for DevelopingAustralia’s Ecosystem Science
• Directions for Developing Australia’s Ecosystem Science
• List of contributors
• References

14. Aims, Intended Uses, Intended Users and
Expected Outcomes of LongTerm Plan
Intended Uses
To define the extent and importance of ecosystem science for Australia
To identify highly critical research and education investments in the short
and long term that will grow and sustainAustralian ecosystem science
Research
Education
Infrastructure
Others
Intended Users
Australian and International ecosystem scientists
State and commonwealth agencies supporting research and education that
requires ecosystem science

15. Aims, Intended Uses, Intended Users and
Expected Outcomes of LongTerm Plan
Expected Outcomes of Decadal Plan
Nationally agreed priorities for funding research, education and
infrastructure….
Investment priorities to sustain and grow our ecosystem scientists

16. Aims, Intended Uses, Intended Users and
Expected Outcomes of LongTerm Plan
Aims
• Describe ecosystem sciences as an essential linking science in
understanding how our ecosystems function and change over time
• Identify the critical issues that require ecosystem sciences
• Establish the common challenges facing ecosystem science communities,
in Research, Education and Infrastructure
• Outline solutions to address common challenges facing ecosystem
science communities, in Research, Education and Infrastructure
The plan is to be used as a catalyst for Australian ecosystem sciences,
identifying commonalities for establishing enduring collective action that
supports the growth and sustainability of ecosystem science in Australia and
its use in driving national research priorities.