Environomics (environmental genomics) is a CSIRO research and development program exploring the limits of what is possible at the intersection of genomics and environmental science.

By taking advantage of the genomics technology revolution, Environomics is creating new technologies and knowhow for better natural resource management in Australia and elsewhere. Environomics is also finding new genetic resources in nature and developing techniques for taking advantage of them.

Environomics is a collaborative venture bringing together experts in molecular biology, ecology and big data science from CSIRO and the university sector.

Scientists can now rapidly and inexpensively read and understand the function of entire genomes belonging to wild animals, plants and microbes. We can do this for whole ecological communities without even seeing or capturing them. We can use autonomous vehicles like drones to do it “on the fly”. Our quick and non-invasive ways to collect detailed information about nature creates many useful opportunities, for example:

• quickly and accurately identify species and map their distributions
• measure the stresses organisms experience and track environmental health
• identify novel functions organisms perform within ecosystems and make use of them.

The Environomics Future Science Platform (Environomics FSP) is exploring these and other emerging applications of genomics to environmental science. Please check out our science portfolio for just some examples of what is possible.