Collaboration in scientific research: a critical need for freshwater ecology

1. Collaboration means actively working together to achieve things which co uld not be done alone. This article attempts to provide an overall, unified , guiding framework for collaboration in freshwater ecology by discussing a spects of collaboration at individual and organizational levels, and addres sing international linkages. 2. The essential elements of collaboration are communication and trust, and effective project management. Barriers to effective collaboration include competition, organizational cultures and organizational instabilities. 3. The success of collaboration can be measured by tangible benefits such a s increased numbers of peer-reviewed publications, the production of workin g models and a number of intangible benefits. 4. Interactions between individuals lie at the heart of an effective collab oration; organizational arrangements should facilitate this interaction. So me governments are encouraging collaboration to increase cost efficiency an d allocate accountability. This trend should continue on an international l evel. 5. Collaboration is a key to future research in freshwater ecology.