The LTER Network Planning Grant Barbara Benson NTL-LTER

Preparing the LTER Network for Collaborative Science, Education and Synthesis: A Planning Proposal Jim Gosz Barbara Benson Dan Childers Scott Collins Allison Whitmer

Objectives Develop a plan for LTER network-level science, technology, and training Explore alternative governance, planning and evaluation structures for managing LTER Network science Envision and plan for education, training, outreach, and knowledge exchange activities to link LTER science with application needs LTER Network Planning Proposal

network level science New initiatives in long-term thematic, regional, and network-scale science Increasing the capabilities of scientists/sites (e.g., cyberinfrastructure, technical expertise) to perform research and education for the new environmental challenges LTER Network Planning Proposal

The LTER Network will identify and pursue the appropriate strategy to accelerate its transition from an association of sites driven by local goals and resources to a fully functional Network driven by regional and national research priorities and shared resources. To do so will require: (1) incentives for sites to conduct synoptic research, synthesize new ideas, and expand their focus to broader geographic regions; (2) accountability of sites to objectives of the Network, and (3) enhanced capability of sites to participate in new LTER research programs. LTER Network Planning Proposal

Grand Challenge Conceptual Domains Alterations in biodiversity Altered biogeochemical cycles at multiple spatial scales Climate change and climatic variability Coupled human-natural ecosystems LTER Network Planning Proposal

Figure 1. Schematic overview of the LTER Planning Process. LTER Network Planning Proposal

The Network Information System Advisory Committee will be charged with evaluating current information capabilities and assessing existing LTER IT infrastructure and research opportunities to determine how well these facilitate LTER research and synthesis goals. Working together with the Science Task Force, NISAC will evaluate site-, regional- and Network- level infrastructure models that will support and facilitate goals of synthetic research conducted at various levels across the network. Non-LTER sites and datasets are vital to fully achieve Network- level science and synthesis. The STF will integrate the assessment of current LTER information technology by the NIS Advisory Committee with the technology needs identified by the NSWG’s into a plan for cyberinfrastructure to support the network science research agenda. LTER Network Planning Proposal

By the end of the 24 month process, the STF will synthesize a network research agenda that will serve as the basis for developing at least one integrated research and education proposal to the NSF LTER Program to implement our new, synthetic, network-level long-term ecological research and training activities. LTER Network Planning Proposal