Federal Environment Agency
ILTER
Ground truthing visions...
ILTER
LTER Europe Conference
Donana, 22.-24 January 2008
Michael MirtlFed. Environment Agency, Austria
RESULTS OF THE second European LTER Scientific Site Coordinators (SSC)
WORKshop
Federal Environment Agency
ILTER Session on standard observations and
parameters
Federal Environment Agency
ILTER
Method 1
Each expert selected parameters he/she would list if asked for Parameters most used by himself and others Parameters that should be measured most urgentlyThe precondition was to think only of parameters, which in principle covered the parameter groups as proposed at the
NNRC 21.1.2008 referred to the site level1-2 parameters should be listed belonging to the following groups,
respectively: Structural parameter Functional parameter Pressure parameter (either abiotic or biotic)
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ILTER
Method 2
The „most used“ parameter were written on blue cards
The „most desireable“ parameters were written on white cards
On the floor of the conference room the following two axes were marked on the floor: Availability: current availability for data on this parameter Feasability: technical and implementation feasability
The participants then put their parameters in the right position (sectors) of this 2-dimensional graph on the floor
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ILTER
Method 3
low
FEASABILITY low
AVAILABILITY high
high
Federal Environment Agency
ILTER
Method 3
The cards were thematically grouped within each sectors, counted and removed
A few cards reamained as, mostly project-specific „noise“, on the floor and finally removed (indication of sector again)
The result are parameter groups in each sector, representing the judgement of the present experts alongside the categories „available“ high/low and „feasable“ high/low
Federal Environment Agency
ILTER
Brainstorming and categorizing
sector parameter counts
1 atmospheric depositon (total) 6
1 land cover pattern 61 land use 6
1 ozone 41 alien species 31 community (structure) 31 light availability 11 soil properties and quality 12 plant species composition 202 basic meteorology 172 soil chemistry and condition 142 biomass/ NPP 122 vegetation structure 112 atmospheric deposition 9
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ILTER
4 sections divided by availability and feasability axis, score>8 marked yellow
low
FEASABILITY low
AVAILABILITY high
high
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ILTER
Merging evidently overlapping/identical groups („PLUS“)
FEASABILITY low
AVAILABILITY high
high
low
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ILTER
Multiple listings in different sectors represent different parameters of the group and differences in subjective
judgment
low
FEASABILITY low
AVAILABILITY high
high
Federal Environment Agency
ILTER
Multiple listings: one more...
low
FEASABILITY low
AVAILABILITY high
high
Federal Environment Agency
ILTER
Multiple listings in different sectors all indicated by matching colours in the „counts“ column
low
FEASABILITY low
AVAILABILITY high
high
Federal Environment Agency
ILTER
Preliminary conclusions from session on standard observations/parameters
A few groups of parameters are obviously important, available and feasable, so they could be recommended immediately (partially down to the parameter level)
These underpin the applicability of the list proposed by the Standard Observations group (Petriccione et al.), now underpinned by a set of concrete parameters
The interaction between long-term ecosystem monitoring (LTEM) and LTER needs to be scrutinized in more detail
It might be, that the discussion about standard parameters results in a recommendation related to the selection of further LTER sites in the sense, that they shall be located in close proximity to or even overlap with sites of existing monitoring (LTEM) schemes.
Federal Environment Agency
ILTER
Preliminary conclusions from session on standard observations/parameters
The SSCC is not ready to decide on standards on the parameter level (beyond item 1)
The SSCC will continue working on the issue throughout the week
The SSCC will how the outcome needs to be communicated outside LTER-Europe and to the LTER-Europe community
The aquatic group needs input from more experts
Federal Environment Agency
ILTER
Work plan for Thursday and Friday
9:30 - Introduction Overview of progress Revision of agenda Self-presentation of participants attending the first time
10:15 - Results of WG on SSCC structuring and services (incl. discussion)
11:00 - Break11:15 - Results of WG on standard parameters (incl. discussion)12:00 – Interface with networks and programmes related to LTER
(-> „LTEM“): completion of list & key contacts12:15 – Parallel WGs: LTSER, Information Management or one
alternative 13:30 – Lunch15:00 – Report of WGs (LTSER, ?information management)16:00 – Programme of Work, Division of tasks, Time plan17:00 – Decision on required WGs and planning teams on Friday18:00 – Closing of the meeting
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The environment of developing SSCC further
Scientific Site Co-ordinatorConference (SSCC)
National Networks Representatives Conference
(NNRC)
Co-ordinating Committee
(CC)
EC
Structure? Governance?
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ILTER
Proposed structure for SSCC
LTER – site LTER manager (numbers refer to the number of cards which mentioned this skill)
Data management - 12 Structure builder - 9 Recognised scientist - 9 Communication monster - 7 Secure position - 6 Networked - 5 Locally oriented – 4
LTSER- platform manager Scientific generalist - 16 Manager in power - 12 Well informed i.e. connected/networked - 9 Experienced in data management - 6 Communicative - 5
Federal Environment Agency
ILTER
Proposed structure for SSCC
LTER – site LTER manager (numbers refer to the number of cards which mentioned this skill)
Data management - 12 Structure builder - 9 Recognised scientist - 9 Communication monster - 7 Secure position - 6 Networked - 5 Locally oriented – 4
LTSER- platform manager Scientific generalist - 16 Manager in power - 12 Well informed i.e. connected/networked - 9 Experienced in data management - 6 Communicative - 5
Structure of SSC Conferences
Ple
nary
Ple
nary
Ple
nary
Ple
nary
? S
cie
nti
fic
LTER
Con
f.
NN
RC
CC
Networking in the WEB (Fora, Contacts)
Networking at meetings-- Participants profiles according to Infobase, LTER contact database, registration information-- New information in Infobase: Fotos of site co-ordinators, site presentations
Res.AgendaCommunic
Harmonisat LTSER
Technology Info Manag
Site-Manag
LTER-Europe Expert panels
(including ALTER WPs and other expert groups)