Collaborative Research in the LTER Network

该研究项目将进一步发展长期生态研究，包括但不限于目前由美国国家科学基金会支持的长期生态研究（LTER）地点。目标包括：刺激和促进合作研究，特别是联合实验和比较分析，以及生物群系内部和之间生态概念的综合；制定标准化的抽样程序、实验设计和数据管理程序；并为从事长期研究的网站建立一个交流网络。在过去4年里，这些活动取得了实质性进展，ltr协调委员会（ltr /CC）认识到发展多功能多场址网络的潜力及其责任。这些活动将反映出对实现场址间活动潜力的扩大承诺。最大的工作将是由资深科学家领导的一系列比较和综合研究：(1)生产力及其控制，利用LTER系统中所代表的主要环境梯度；(2)扰动与生态系统动力学，包括次生演替过程、植被动态预测以及各种扰动的作用；(3)不同生物群系类型的时间变异及其对全球变化的响应模式；(4)景观与区域分析。数据管理工作组将为广泛计划的数据交换招聘一名促进者，继续制定标准化程序，并实施电子联网。气象小组将对这些地点进行两次比较环境分析，修订现有标准，并扩大早先的气候比较。开展比较稳定同位素研究将有助于在整个网络中推广这项技术。一个站点间小组将讨论生态系统建模中的主要概念问题。最后，通讯中心将继续进行主要的通讯活动，例如出版通讯、指南、报告和文章以及举办专题讨论会。重点是具体的任务和主题，由LTER的一名高级科学家负责对每项活动作出富有成效的结论。此外，将有助于建立生态学概念基础的高级综合已得到优先考虑。与以前一样，个别LTER计划将作出主要的资金和人员贡献，并在所有活动中包括非LTER站点。

This research project will further the development of long-term ecological research including, but not confined to, work at the LTER (Long-Term Ecological Research) sites currently supported by NSF. Objectives include: stimulating and facilitating collaborative research, especially joint experiments and comparative analyses, and syntheses of ecological concepts within and among biomes; development of standardized sampling programs, experimental designs, and data management procedures; and creation of a communication network for sites engaged in long-term research. Substantial progress was made in these activities during the last 4 years and the LTER Coordinating Committee (LTER/CC) recognizes the potential of and its responsibilities for development of a functional multi-site network. These activities will reflect an expanded commitment to realizing the potential for intersite activities. The largest body of work will be a series of comparative and synthetic studies led by senior scientists on: (1) productivity and its controls, utilizing major environmental gradients represented in the LTER systems; (2) disturbance and ecosystem dynamics, including processes in secondary succession, prediction of vegetation dynamics, and the role of various types of disturbances; (3) temporal variability across biome types and patterns of response to global changes; and (4) landscape and regional analyses. The data management working group will recruit a facilitator for the extensive planned data exchanges, continue development of standardized procedures, and implement electronic networking. The meteorological group will conduct two comparative environmental analyses of the sites, revise existing standards, and expand an earlier comparison of climates. Initiation of comparative stable isotope studies will assist in propagating this technology throughout the network. An intersite group will address major conceptual issues in ecosystem modeling. Finally, the LTER/CC will continue major communication activities, such as publication of newsletters, guidebooks, reports, and articles and presentation of symposia. Emphasis is on specific tasks and topics with a senior LTER scientist responsible for a productive conclusion to each activity. Furthermore, higher level syntheses which will contribute to the conceptual basis of ecology have been given priority. As before, individual LTER programs will make major contributions of funds and personnel and include non-LTER sites in all activities.