The extent of research in French Guiana

There are approximately 90 researchers working in French Guiana and 15 research organisations, particularly the CNRS and the Institut Pasteur, which has been doing research in Guiana for 60 years. Others include the Office National des Forêts, the Office National de la Chasse et de la Faune Sauvage and the Guiana National Park Mission. A wide range of subjects are studied, ranging from human sciences to engineering and also biology and sustainable development.

Four broad categories of programme have been planned to contribute to sustainable development :

• Initial knowledge from research programmes on forest ecosystems, tropical parasitology, marine ecosystems, cultures and languages.
• Resource management and regeneration, with programmes on the biodiversity of the Amazon basin, natural substances, renewable energy sources, minerals, hydrosystems, fishing and botanical collections.
• Controlled regional development of the social, economic and natural environment. Support programmes have been set up for agriculture, research for protecting materials, environmental protection, natural and shoreline hazards, mercury pollution and the best way to promote fishing activities.
• Monitoring and forecasting. Research is being carried out in forestry centres and on epidemiology, greenhouse gases, the ecology of marine animals, the monitoring of water quality and satellite observation.