Collaborative Research in the LTER Network

长期生态研究（LTER）项目已经从一个松散的站点集合转变为一个综合网络。最近的成就包括：设备和软件标准化；建立有效的电子联网系统；数据收集和管理标准化；在生态研究方面的合作，包括多地点实验、比较分析和综合，以解决重大生态问题；发展支持场址间活动的基础设施；查明适当的技术并培训ltr科学家应用这些技术的重大努力；制定确定网络目标和行动计划的长期计划。总体而言，LTER网络在其长期研究中扩大了其重点，包括更大的空间维度（区域和全球），并在与全球变化有关的生态研究中发挥了领导作用。LTER的网络化活动使科学合作得以扩展，远远超出了正式的LTER网络。由于有兴趣与较大的生态社区和其他研究组织和机构合作，因此越来越多的人要求网络办公室不仅在生态社区内，而且向较大的生态社区提供研究协调和交流。网络办公室开发的生态环境研究所电子邮件转发系统特别有效地为生态学家提供了一种简单的快速通讯和数据交换手段。这个项目将支持促进LTER网络合作研究的活动。大部分资源将用于支持有组织的、电子连接的生态科学家小组的基础设施，这些科学家在正式的LTER计划内外从事多地点的研究和合成。拟议的活动包括：(1)发展联机、长期数据库，操作和扩大电子联网；(2)获取、归档和分析使用LTER站点的一系列遥感图像；(3)维护与协调委员会和网络办公室有关的便利基础设施和出版方案；(4)更多地参与国内（如美国能源部、美国农业部和美国地质勘探局等机构赞助的）和国际其他长期研究项目。该网络工作人员将在数据库管理、遥感和地理信息系统等领域进行研究和发展工作。

The Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) program has transformed itself from a loosely-affiliated collection of sites to an integrated network. Recent accomplishments include: equipment and software standardization; creation of an effective electronic networking system; standardization in data collection and management; collaboration in ecological research including multi- site experiments, and comparative analyses and syntheses addressing major ecological issues; development of the infrastructure for support of intersite activities; major efforts to identify appropriate technologies and to train LTER scientists in their application; and creation of long-term plans identifying network goals and action programs. Collectively the LTER Network has expanded its focus to include larger spatial dimensions (regional and global) in its long term research and assumed a leadership role in ecological research related to global change. The networked activity of LTER has allowed scientific collaboration that has spread far beyond the formal LTER Network. This interest in collaboration with and by the larger ecological community, and other research organizations and agencies, has led to increased requests for the Network Office to provide research coordination and communications not only within LTER, but to the larger ecological community. The LTER electronic mail forwarding system developed at the Network Office, has been particularly effective in providing a simple means of rapid communication and data exchange for ecologists. This project will support the activities which facilitate collaborative research in the LTER Network. Most of the resources will be used to support the infrastructure of the organized, electronically-linked group of ecological scientists working on multi-site research and synthesis within and beyond the formal LTER program. Proposed activities include: (1) Development of on-line, long-term data bases, and operation and expansion of electronic networking; (2) Acquisition, archiving, and analytic use of an array of remote sensing imagery for the LTER sites; (3) Maintenance of the facilitating infrastructure and publication program associated with the Coordinating Committee and Network Office; and (4) Increased involvement with other long-term research programs both domestically (e.g., sponsored by agencies such as DOE, USDA, and USGS) and internationally. Research and development efforts by the Network staff will occur in areas of database management, remote sensing, and geographic information systems.