Long-Term Ecological Research Program Description (LTER)

Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) supports fundamental ecological research that requires long time periods and large spatial scales. This program supports a coordinated network of more than two dozen field sites [http://www.lternet.edu/sites/]. The general mission of LTER is to understand ecological phenomena that occur over long temporal and broad spatial scales; to create a legacy of well-designed and documented ecological experiments; to conduct major syntheses and theoretical efforts; and to provide information necessary for the identification and solution of environmental problems. The LTER network of sites conducts integrated research in five core areas: pattern and control of primary production; spatial and temporal distribution of populations selected to represent trophic structure; pattern and control of organic matter accumulation in surface soils and sediments; patterns of inorganic inputs and movements of nutrients through soils and waters; and patterns, frequency, and effects of disturbance. LTER also supports a Network Office [http://lternet.edu/sites/net/], whose mission is to coordinate and facilitate information technology development and implementation across the network, to facilitate management of the network, to aid efforts in research synthesis, and to conduct public outreach. LTER field sites represent a diversity of habitats in continental North America, the Caribbean, Pacific Ocean, and the Antarctic, including coral reefs, deserts, estuaries, lakes, prairies, various forests, alpine and Arctic tundra, urban areas and production agriculture. This breadth is possible through coordinated funding from Biological Sciences, Geosciences, Polar Programs, and Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences. Supplemental funding supports the LTER Schoolyard educational program, international collaborative research, and related activities at LTER sites.

LTER does not solicit proposals, except when new LTER sites are initiated and does not accept unsolicited proposals from LTER or non-LTER PIs. For more information and announcements of opportunity, visit the LTER web page [http://www.lternet.edu/].