As we enter the 21st century, environmental problems have become global problems that touch every person. With the human population of 5.5 billion still growing rapidly it will be difficult to maintain even the present environmental quality. More research is needed to determine how plants respond to environmental change and to develop management and restoration plans for sustainable natural and urban landscapes. Although funding is available from both government and nongovernment organizations, the amounts available are limited and very competitive. Questions in community and ecosystem ecology often require long-term projects over many years to monitor environmental change.
Conservation requires economic considerations and development of education programs.
More communication is needed among ecologists, ecosystem managers, government officials, and environmental educators to ensure that the funding available is used most appropriately.