eLTER- European long-term ecosystem and socio-ecological research infrastructure

Project aim: The main objectives and methods of eLTER are: (1) identifying user needs for research infrastructure in relation to major societal challenges; (2) simplify the design of a cost-effective pan-European network, in collaboration with related global and European research infrastructures, e.g. LifeWatch; (3) develop an organizational framework for data integration and enable virtual access to LTER data; (4) fostering social relevance, usability and multiple use of information, data and services through new partnerships and the adoption of new measurement technologies.

 

About the project: Collective efforts are needed to create an environmental research infrastructure to address the burning issues in a world of rapid social, economic and environmental change. The overall goal of the eLTER project is to improve the European network of sites for long-term research of ecosystems and socio-ecological research platforms, all to provide the highest quality services. The LTER-Europe network and the European Critical Zone community will work together to achieve these goals. 162 sites in 22 countries will provide data on long-term trends in environmental change. Test cases using this data will address a range of environmental and social issues to encourage innovation in network-level services and guide conceptual development. The planned “LTER infrastructure” will enable the research of large ecosystems and socio-ecological systems at the European level.