Skip to main content
WWF
Gabby Ahmadia, senior marine scientist at WWF, surveys a reef in the Selat Dampier MPA, Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia

© James Morgan/WWF-US

Science

WWF’s conservation work is grounded in science. Our scientists develop innovative approaches and apply the best available information to advance cutting-edge tools and methods, connect natural and social systems, and find solutions to the planet’s most pressing and complex threats.

WWF scientists work across multiple disciplines, juxtaposing expertise in planetary and big data science with human-centric approaches, including sociology, education, and psychology. Working with partners, WWF scientists lead global and regional analyses and communicate the science of implementation and scale—for both people and nature in our changing world.

News and stories

What we're working on

Two ocean and forest landscape images paired horizontally

© Tom Vierus/WWF-US

Advancing science

The Kathryn Fuller Science for Nature Fund, named in honor of the former president and CEO of WWF-US, supports and harnesses the most promising conservation science research and puts it into practice.
Arnaud Lyet, of WWF-US samples water from a river to analyze for eDNA results that demonstrate the  biodiversity of the region

© WWF-US/Danielle Brigida

Monitoring for impact

Monitoring progress toward global goals for human well-being, nature conservation, and climate change is critical when determining the impact of conservation investments.
Two people in red and yellow are bent over working in a field on a sunny day

© Lucas Ninno

Scaling locally driven conservation

For nearly three decades, the Russell E. Train Education for Nature Program (EFN) has been providing financial support to enhance the skills, knowledge, and expertise needed to address conservation c
A close up of someone holding a handful of green tomatoes on the vine

© James Morgan/WWF-US

Ensuring sustainable plates

As one critical area of research, WWF scientists are identifying and developing the science required to fill knowledge gaps on the dietary shifts needed within each country to achieve nutrition guidelines for all people.
A person in the field fills out a paper form to collect data. There is a walkie talkie and laptop in the background.

© Tom Vierus/WWF-US

Contributing to peer-reviewed research

Our scientists have extensive publication records within peer-reviewed literature, serve on scientific and academic bodies, and are frequently called upon to contribute insight, data, and analyses to globally significant assessments, reports, and publications.
Aerial photo of a winding river and mangrove forest that grows around it.

© Brent Stirton/Getty Images/WWF-UK

Valuing Nature

WWF scientists quantify the benefits natural ecosystems give livelihoods and economies and map their sources so the value of these ecosystem services are included in policy and decisions.

More areas of research

Wildlife Insights project images

© Wildlife Insights

Harnessing data and artificial intelligence

Until recently, the vast number of variables in conservation made measuring the effectiveness of strategies difficult. Fast, accurate, replicable, and easy-to-understand impact reporting is necessary, and advances in technology are starting to put this within reach. Remote sensing technology has become much more advanced, along with data processing tools and platforms that can organize the information so it is understandable and directly usable. To streamline impact monitoring systems and ensure their work is effective and measurable, WWF scientists are working to build open-source platforms and tools, harness artificial intelligence and machine learning, and closely collaborate with local communities.

Vania Tejeda on ropes checks a camera trap adhered to the near top of a tree in the Amazon rainforst to inspect a camera trap and canopy bridge

Nature Needs Us Now

Nature gives us everything we need to survive, but it's under threat like never before. The crisis demands immediate action from all of us.

Sign the pledge to protect nature

© WWF-US / Yawar Motion Films

Experts