A continental view of connected environmental research
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Impact Objectives
• Wide scale and systematic coverage of major European terrestrial, freshwater and transitional
water environments – 200 research sites selected from a wider pool of ≈400 sites
• Integrated observations across the critical zone, supporting whole ecosystem science
• Macrosystem ecology approach, studying interactions of abiotic and biotic ecosystem
components at multiple scales, including human-environment interactions
• Enables research into ecosystem processes influenced by multiple drivers, as well as socio-
ecological research relating to ecosystem services
A continental view of connected
environmental research
Chairman of the global Long-Term Ecosystem Research network ILTER Michael Mirtl talks about his
work coordinating a bold European vision to link hundreds of environmental observation and research sites
Can you explain How does eLTER RI differ from other this critical gap by linking multiple user
the European LTER environmental research that is underway groups to integrated research sites, local
(Long-Term Ecosystem across Europe? expert teams and their long-term data
Research) and its main legacies. We are working towards this goal
components? eLTER RI is building on the LTER-Europe in collaboration with existing regional and
network and related projects, to pursue subject-specific environmental RIs. In
LTER-Europe is a regional group within a fundamentally systemic approach to future years, eLTER RI will enable integrated
the International Long-Term Ecosystem observing and analysing the environment. cross-scale and cross-disciplinary analysis
Research network (ILTER), which was While several existing thematic of comparable data across time and
established in 1993. LTER-Europe consists environmental research infrastructure geographical zones.
of 26 national LTER networks. Formally projects focus on one or more elements
founded in 2007, LTER-Europe currently of environmental change, eLTER RI will Can you explain the global role and impact
comprises around 450 ecosystem research be the only research infrastructure which of the European LTER?
sites and 35 Long-Term Socio-Ecological takes a holistic view of the integrated
Research (LTSER) platforms, which have impacts of stressors on a wide variety of Besides representing the European
been collecting data for decades. European benchmark ecosystems. eLTER contribution (Regional group) to the actual
RI sites are collecting a broad range of global LTER network, the European LTER
Drawing from the large collection of sites terrestrial, freshwater and transitional water has lately been setting the pace in several
and institutions of LTER-Europe, there parameters across all major geographical respects. Since 2016 Europe has provided
are projects and processes developing systems and climatic zones in Europe. Data the chairman. Major achievements include
LTER further in Europe both technically gathered will include biological, physical the global adoption of the European
(services and tools) and strategically. and chemical variables, as well as properly site classification, standard observation
The technical flagship project is currently scaled socioeconomic metrics. Ecosystem variables and the site registry and
the eLTER H2020 project (2015-2019), change caused by long-term pressures and accreditation webservice (DEIMS). This
focusing on standards, tools and services. short-term pulses can thus be investigated service and ILTER´s experiences in a global
In parallel, the eLTER ESFRI process aims at all geographical and temporal scales – roll-out caught the attention of GEO. As
at developing an over-arching formalised and across climatic gradients. a result, in 2016, ILTER was invited to
European Research Infrastructure (eLTER become a GEO Participating Organization.
RI), which will facilitate scientific access and What do you hope the ultimate impact will It has since engaged in the GEO In-situ
answer complex environmental questions. be from this work? Foundational task, working towards a
eLTER RI was recently included on the 2018 follow-up to the Global Terrestrial Observing
Roadmap of the European Strategy Forum Progress in understanding, managing and System (GTOS) and further developing
on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI) and securing our vital ecosystems is hampered DEIMS as a pilot for a global GEO site
plans to operate about 200 well-equipped by dispersed observation sites and single registry. l
European LTER sites and LTSER platforms. discipline research. Our goal is to close
30 www.impact.pub
Network addressing global
environmental challenges
A collaboration of experts and research and observation sites across Europe is taking a whole system
approach to filling a critical gap in top-class science at a continental scale, ultimately building knowledge
and resilience against global environmental challenges
The Earth’s critical zone, which extends The eLTER RI is focused on measuring these extended periods. LTER-Europe´s
from the tops of our largest trees down change in ecosystems over time, and LTSER platforms were a new dimension in
to the bedrock beneath our soil and understanding the influential factors causing seeking to incorporate research on human-
groundwater, supports the vast majority change, such as human land use and environment interactions. Such research
of life on earth, including humans and a industrial development. The development requires cross-disciplinary approaches on
diverse array of fauna and flora. This zone of eLTER RI builds on the LTER-Europe environmental and socioeconomic topics.
is coming under increasing pressure from network and on the eLTER H2020 and other A number of projects have built on LTER-
major factors such as global climate change related projects. The research infrastructure Europe, with the aim of encouraging
and human exploitation. The European will comprise around 200 observation and standardisation, data-sharing via
Long-Term Ecosystem, critical zone and research sites in a distributed network, to databases and portals, and access to
socio-ecological Research Infrastructure be centrally managed and supported by a data for researchers, policy makers and
(eLTER RI) coordinator Michael Mirtl of cross-disciplinary head office. This central other decision-makers. The EU-funded,
the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental node will act as an interface between users four-year eLTER H2020 project has made
Research and Environment Agency Austria and data repositories, as well as providing significant steps towards the process of
states that ‘if humans are to find ways to strategic support in areas such as data data integration. ‘The project has provided
protect and sustain the ecosystems that quality assurance, international networking the independent national LTER networks
in turn nurture our existence, we need to and technical innovation and development. and sites with standards, tools and services
understand all the interacting factors that that otherwise would have been set up in
cause environmental change.’ The RI will COORDINATED EFFORT parallel… or never,’ says Mirtl.
help researchers address the challenges In the context of the global ILTER network
of biodiversity loss, climate change, and the LTER-Europe network of 26 national eLTER H2020 is a key transition project
eutrophication and pollution, in order LTER networks, many of the LTER sites between a voluntary network of sites and
to support sustainable environmental have operated for decades and hold legacy the development of a full eLTER Research
management. data covering environmental changes over Infrastructure. Concluding in 2019, the work
Elements of the European LTER process Whole-system approach supporting interdisciplinary collaboration at top sites
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© Natural Resources Wales
has already begun to identify the major research sites. Mirtl explains that these sites and adopted by environmental agencies,
environmental issues and key scientific were incorporated to ‘achieve wide-scale consultancies and regional authorities.
questions to be supported by the eLTER RI. systematic coverage of the major European Mirtl hopes that the RI will facilitate
Also, being developed is a Data Integration terrestrial and aquatic environments and spatial and temporal ecosystem, critical
Portal with flexible tools through which data socio-ecological zones’. zone and socio-ecological research by
can be accessed and a Dynamic Ecological providing a comprehensive platform for
Information Management System (DEIMS) eLTSER PLATFORMS AND MASTER SITES holistic interpretation of highly complex
to document research sites, which has been The eLTSER Platforms and Master Sites are environmental systems, in a cost-effective
adopted by ILTER. The project has also to be the key nodes in the RI. The eLTSER manner, but there is still plenty of work to be
piloted transnational access to a selection Platforms are designed to be regional hubs done. ‘eLTER is currently doing much that can
of sites by scientists. 171 research sites have for environmental and socio-ecological support research, but when eLTER RI is fully
been analysed in detail concerning their research and information exchange. As well operational, the scientific community and
scientific programs and equipment. They as building knowledge of socio-ecological other end users will benefit even more.’ l
encompass all the main biogeographic interactions, a major objective is for
regions in Europe such as Boreal Alpine, these sites to feed into local and regional
Mediterranean and Continental. ‘eLTER has decision- making regarding long-term
co-evolved with a range of sister research
infrastructures and monitoring networks in
environmental sustainability. Examples
could include advising regional planning
Project Insights
Europe such as ICOS, the Integrated Carbon authorities on the design and location of
Observation System, and LifeWatch, which is new housing and industrial developments, NATIONAL COORDINATING
an e-infrastructure supporting access to and or helping environmental agencies prioritise INSTITUTIONS (SORTED BY
analyses of biodiversity data. Major efforts their efforts in a range of areas, such as COUNTRIES):
• EAA/AT • INBO/BE • IBER-BAS/BG •
have been made to clarify connections, habitat conservation. The eLTER Master
WSL/CH • CAS CR/CZ • SGN – FZJ –
interfaces and divisions of tasks, to avoid Sites are strategically located, will be highly UFZ/ DE • IGN/DK • UGR/ES • SYKE/FI
duplication and ease communications. instrumented and provide facilities for the co- • CNRS/ FR • TUC/GR • MTA OK/HU •
These systems have been formalised through location of multidisciplinary research teams BGU/IL • CNR/IT • LU/LV • SOVON/NL •
cooperation agreements,’ points out Mirtl. and management functions with sister RIs. NINA/ NO • MI-PAN- ERCE/PL • SPECO/
PT • UNIBUC/RO • UNS/RS • SLU/SE •
STANDARDISATION AND INTEGRATION Currently 160 research institutions have ZRC- SAZU/SI • ILE-SAS/SK • ITU/TR •
CEH/UK
The eLTER RI will deploy mandatory standard joined the eLTER RI ESFRIprocess and 17
observation variables and harmonise many countries have so far pledged support. The
of the measurements made at the involved Head Office, most probably to be based in FUNDING
sites. Mirtl says it is important that sites Germany, will comprise the main point of The eLTER H2020 INFRAIA and other LTER
taking part in the RI ‘are able to comply contact for the RI. One of its important roles projects are funded by the EU. Component
with strict criteria governing, for example, will be to coordinate national site networks networks and sites of LTER-Europe are
primarily supported by national sources.
the minimum set of measurements to be (National Research Infrastructures, NRIs)
made, measurement methods to be used and the proposed Topic Centres, which CONTACT
and the process of exposing data via the will help deliver the strategic objectives of Michael Mirtl
central Data Integration Portal’. As per LTER- the RI. Four centres will cover the areas eLTER Coordinator
Europe, the RI will comprise both large-scale of: data quality assurance, validation
multidisciplinary eLTSER platforms and and standards; analysis toolkits and a W: www.lter-europe.net
smaller ecosystem research sites. community modelling platform; research
The two main goals of the RI are to achieve outreach and interfaces including fostering
broad geographical coverage and to support cross-disciplinary research; and developing
excellent science by providing access to partnerships for innovation and technological
comprehensive environmental information. development. Many SMEs are involved
To this end, a hierarchical structure of peripherally, through their work with member
sites has been developed, capped by the institutes and research sites. It is envisaged
eLTSER platforms, which also host eLTER that RI data could support new decision-
sites and cascading down through a range making tools and models, which could
of highly instrumented to more simple be commercialised by smaller companies
32 www.impact.pub
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