The Ecology/Research Section is an essential component of the SNTC, as it provides technical advice to the Parks Management Section in particular, and to all other bodies involved with conservation. Protected area management cannot achieve its objectives without the backing of this section.

It is perhaps important to note that this section's work programme is primarily geared towards conservation area management, and not research activities of a more academic nature.

The functions of the section are:

• applied research to find solutions to conservation problems
• field assessments to determine potential problems
• monitoring in relation to above activities
• to promote the determination and compilation of baseline data to provide information and advice for conservation in the country