Introduction to the special issue: 'Achieving ecological outcomes'. Why is translational ecology so difficult?

1. This short piece introduces papers in a special issue arising from the second Freshwater Biological Association Summit held in Windermere, U.K., in April 2010 on the topic Achieving Ecological Outcomes: aquatic ecological responses to catchment management.

2. The papers in this special issue highlight a number of uncertainties, knowledge gaps and research needs when translating ecological research into management practice and achieving the desired outcomes.

3. The papers in this special issue span the spectrum from fundamental and theoretical science to community engagement and improved tools for more effective policy development.

4. At present, there is a gap between policy aspirations and realisable outcomes, but these papers identify some general issues and suggest possible new approaches.

5. Some more critical analysis of both scientific shortcomings and policy goals (particularly in densely populated landscapes) is in order. At the very least, we require a more transparent dialogue between science and the broader community about what is possible in desirable time frames.