Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network

Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network (TERN)

A nationally-consistent approach to collecting and managing time-series datasets is required to meet the needs of terrestrial ecosystem research and natural resource management in Australia. The NCRIS investment in TERN will assist in establishing a national, collaborative infrastructure that will facilitate enhanced ecosystem research.

The purpose of TERN is to establish the necessary cooperative and data frameworks for a national, collaborative approach to ecosystem infrastructure and research. It will trial the necessary organisational arrangements, networks and methodologies for systematic, coordinated national data collection.

TERN will comprise governance, data management and modelling facilities, and a national observing site system based on existing infrastructure investments and collaborations.

The TERN objectives are to:

provide a national institutional infrastructure network for terrestrial ecosystem research and management
coordinate national observational networks to provide valuable information about our terrestrial ecosystems and to encourage research collaboration and cooperation nationally
facilitate improved access, including by electronic means, for researchers to quality assured observational data so questions about our environment can be answered
identify future needs, by involving the terrestrial ecosystem research community, for research and strengthen the capability of the terrestrial ecosystem community across Australia so we are better able to respond to questions of national significance.

Background

In January 2008, the NCRIS Secretariat engaged Dr Trevor Powell to develop a strategic planning paper for consideration by the NCRIS Committee.

At its meeting held on 28 February 2008, the NCRIS Committee considered the TERN Strategic Planning Paper prepared by Dr Trevor Powell.

The Committee agreed to:

endorse the priorities for NCRIS investment in TERN stated in the Strategic Planning Paper
endorse the purpose, requirements and principles for TERN as stated in the Strategic Planning Paper
undertake a process of engagement with relevant communities including key stakeholders, researchers and Federal and State Government agencies with regards to progressing the development of investment proposals for the first three priorities for TERN as outlined in the Strategic Planning Paper:
- a governance system that provides strategic long term planning and research coordination with an emphasis on integrative science that serves regional and national goals
- a modelling capability with fit for purpose models for addressing ‘integrative science’ and management scenarios as a national service to the ecosystem research and environmental management communities
- a data management system, including interoperability, for data and information management, discovery and access; and then
- to undertake engagement with regard to the development of site and observation networks.

Following the Committee's decision, Dr Powell undertook further consultation and conducted a workshop on 21-22 April 2008 (see TERN workshop report and TERN development and investment guidelines).

At its meeting on 27 October 2008, the NCRIS Committee endorsed the Investment Plan prepared by the Facilitator, Dr Trevor Powell (see TERN NCRIS Committee decision).

Current Status

On 6 May 2009 the Department signed a Funding Agreement based on the Investment Plan with the lead institution, the University of Queensland (UQ). UQ is currently initiating the TERN project, including undertaking recruitment activities and developing a TERN website.

Contact Details

For enquiries related to the status of TERN, please contact the NCRIS Team by email or by telephone on 02 6213 6025.