INSTITUTE OF ECOLOGY AND BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES

-  To conduct research on the fauna and flora;
-  To conduct research on the terrestral and aquatic ecosystems;
-  To conduct research on the potential use of wildlife and plant species, indigenous knowledge;
-  To conduct research on parasites and preventive measures;
-  To conduct environmental impact assessment related to biodiversity;
-  To undertake wildlife forensics;
-  To implement conservation programs for natural resources;
- To provide technical advice for management authorities on the implementation of CITES and the Convention on Biological Diversity;
- To provide training services for scientists on ecology and biological resources.

• The Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources (IEBR) has conducted numerous projects at the national level. These have included Program 562, the Central Highlands Program 2016-2020, the National Collection of Nature, the Environmental Protection Program, the Basic Exploration  Program, and annually, 25 other projects funded by the National Foundation for Science and Technology Development (NAFOSTED).
• On a yearly basis, IEBR has conducted aprroximately 20 projects at ministerial or provincial levels, with a majority funded by the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, and 35 other small projects. 
• IEBR has conducted many experimental models of animal breeding and plant farming for conservation purposes or as a scientific basis for economic development at the Me Linh Station for Biodiversity and some other localities. The Me Linh Station for Biodiversity hosts environmental education activities and promotes the protection of wild animals and plants.
• As a CITES scientific authority of Vietnam, IEBR staff processes approximately 150 wildlife forensic cases per year. 
• In terms of publication accumulation, the researchers of IEBR have published approximately 120 papers per year, including 100 ISI articles. In 2021, the scientists of IEBR published 140 ISI articles and were conferred two patents in Vietnam and two patents in Korea. These figures not only confirm the scientific reputation of IEBR, but also contribute to promoting the special value of biological resources in Vietnam. New discoveries for science attract interest in cooperation and investment in research programs related to biodiversity and nature conservation in our country. Between 2016 and 2020, the researchers of IEBR discovered five new genera and more than 370 new species for science.
• The results produced from research on animals, plant resources, parasites and nematodes are the basis for the development of probiotics in agricultural production and medicine, and disease prevention for humans, animals, and crops.

Figure 1: Two plant species with special bioactive compounds, Cajanus cajan and Flemingia strobilifera, registered for WIPO patents (Photos: Tran T. Bach).

Figure 2: Several new species: Boeica konchurangensis (Photos: Do V. Hai, Bui H. Quang), Amolops ottorum (Photo: Pham V. Anh), and Meloidogyne daklakensis (Photos: Trinh Q. Phap).

Figure 3: Conservation breeding program for threatened species (Stump-tailed Macaque and Vietnam Leaf Turtle) and environmental education activities at the Me Linh Station for Biodiversity (Photos Dang H. Phuong, Pham T. K. Dzung).