Communication and utilization of science in developing countries - The case of Mexican ecology

Ecology has a major responsibility in solving environmental problems In Mex ico, scientific institutions need to contribute more to the practical use o f their research findings, especially with regard to the rural management o f ecosystems. Based on the framework of the Ecological Information System, two surveys were conducted among ecologists and nongovernmental organizatio ns in Mexico. It was found that ecology has a great deal to contribute to e nvironmental problem solving and that nongovernmental organizations functio n as links between science and rural producers, such as agriculturists catt le ranchers,forest extractors, hunters, gatherers, and fishermen, although these interactions should be strengthened Suggestions are made for the desi gn of new forms of communicating science within scientific institutions tha t contribute to the utilization of scientific results.