Centre for Ecological Research of Polish Academy of Sciences was created on 1 October, 2002, based upon the decision of the Presidium of the Polish Academy of Sciences from 10 September 2002. The Centre is located in Dziekanów Leśny near Warsaw. It also includes Hydrobiological Station in Mikołajki (in north-east Poland), and Research Station in Lublin (a town in eastern part of Poland). Director of the Centre is prof. Janusz Uchmański. Currently, the Centre has 68 employees - 35 scientists, including: 4 professors, 5 assistant professors, 21 doctors, 5 assistants, 7 technical staff and additionally 26 of administration staff. The research program of the Centre focuses on the mechanisms and consequences of biodiversity. The Centre coordinates research program Biodiversity of ecosystems: origin and function. Additionally, researchers of the Centre conduct about twenty projects funded by the Committee for Scientific Research. Several projects are funded by local government, and some others are funded by international organizations (including a project within the 6PR UE). Apart from standard laboratories and animal rearing facilities used for ecological experiments, the Centre is equipped with instruments for chemical and microbiological analyses, and for studies in soil ecology, ecotoxicology, and hydrobiology. The Centre has also specialized software and instruments for studies of animal communication and behavior. Computer equipment is used for mathematical modeling of ecological processes. The Centre publishes two scientific periodicals: Polish Journal of Ecology (included into ISI list of scientific journals) and Wiadomości Ekologiczne (in Polish). Library of the Centre has the richest collection of ecological journals and publications in Poland. In cooperation with Institute of Paleobiology PAS, and Institute and Museum of Zoology PAS, the Centre runs International Doctoral Studies in ecology.