Q&A

What does lter stand for?

What does lter stand for?

LTER

Acronym Definition
LTER Long Term Ecological Research
LTER Long Term Ecosystem Research (International Long Term Ecological Research Network)
LTER Long-Term ECG (electrocardiogram) Recording (cardiology)

What is an LTER site?

The Long Term Ecological Research Network (LTER) consists of a group of over 1800 scientists and students studying ecological processes over extended temporal and spatial scales. Twenty-eight LTER sites cover a diverse set of ecosystems. It is part of the International Long Term Ecological Research Network (ILTER).

What is LTER data?

LTER Network Data and Other Resources LTER Network Data Catalog. The LTER Network Data Catalog is the interface to the centralized data repositry for all LTER sites. In addition to local data systems provided by a number of LTER sites, each site also regularly submits data to the network data system, PASTA.

What group is responsible for creating the Long Term ecological research sites that allow for large pools of publicly accessible data?

The LTER Program comprises a collaborative network of over 1,200 scientists and students investig ating ecological processes over long temporal and broad spatial scales. The LTER network governance expands the opportunities and capabilities of individual sites to promote synthesis and comparative research across sites.

How many LTER sites are there?

The 28 LTER sites encompass diverse ecosystems in the continental United States, Alaska, Antarctica and islands in the Caribbean and the Pacific—including deserts, estuaries, lakes, oceans, coral reefs, prairies, forests, alpine and Arctic tundra, urban areas, and production agriculture.

Why is Long Term Ecological Research Important?

It emphasizes the study of ecological phenomena over long periods of time. Long-term studies are essential to achieve an integrated understanding of how populations, communities and other components of ecosystems interact as well as to test ecological theory.

How long is long-term research?

(The researchers defined “long-term research” as projects lasting at least five years.)

Why are ecology studies carried out?

Ecological studies are often used to measure prevalence and incidence of disease, particularly when disease is rare. They are inexpensive and easy to carry out, using routinely collected data, but they are prone to bias and confounding.

What is considered long-term study?

(The researchers defined “long-term research” as projects lasting at least five years.) Observational research methods (monitoring) and experimental approaches were considered equally important.

Why are long-term studies better?

There are many ways to study the environment. Long-term studies based on repeated measurements of the same entities is one of the most powerful. Most ecological research is short-term, but most key changes in the environment take place over prolonged periods. Long-term work is essential to document these changes.

What are the disadvantages of ecology?

Limitations of ecological studies include: Measures of exposure are only a proxy based on the average in the population. Potential for systematic differences between areas in the measurement of exposures. Lack of available data on confounding factors.

Why are ecological studies weak?

Compared to case control studies In the case of the ecological study design, the obvious weakness is that data is based on groups rather than individuals. In other words, the ecological study provides group exposure and group response without knowing what any individual exposure-response was.