The next generation of site-based long-term ecological monitoring: Linking essential biodiversity variables and ecosystem integrity

Abstract

Global change effects on biodiversity and human wellbeing call for improved long-term environmental data as a basis for science, policy and decision making, including increased interoperability, multifunctionality, and harmonization. Based on the example of two global initiatives, the International Long-Term Ecological Research (ILTER) network and the Group on Earth Observations Biodiversity Observation Network (GEO BON), we propose merging the frameworks behind these initiatives, namely ecosystem integrity and essential biodiversity variables, to serve as an improved guideline for future site-based long-term research and monitoring in terrestrial, freshwater and coastal ecosystems. We derive a list of specific recommendations of what and how to measure at a monitoring site and call for an integration of sites into co-located site networks across individual monitoring initiatives, and centered on ecosystems. This facilitates the generation of linked comprehensive ecosystem monitoring data, supports synergies in the use of costly infrastructures, fosters cross-initiative research and provides a template for collaboration beyond the ILTER and GEO BON communities.

Integration of terrestrial observational networks: opportunity for advancing Earth system dynamics modelling

“…In total 52 variables were surveyed in 30 this survey, based upon the ecosystem integrity concept (Müller et al, 2000), the essential biodiversity variables (Pereira et Haase et al, 2018), the common CZO measurements (Chorover et al, 2015 andBrantley et al, 2016), and variables for energy and matter balances at the catchment scale. The ecosystem integrity concept formulated conceptual requirements to evaluate the state and integrity of an ecosystem (Andreasen et al, 2001).…”

“…The intention of ecosystem integrity assessments was to provide information for knowledge based policy and management decisions for improved ecosystem integrities. Haase et al (2018) linked the ecosystem integrity concept with the essential biodiversity variables 5 framework (Pereira et al, 2013) to formulate the most recent set of biotic and abiotic variables which are desirable to be measured at LTER sites around the globe. The list of common CZO measurements (Chorover et al, 2015) was formulated to allow for a site-wise comparison of infrastructure and measurements at the ten CZOs in the United States (Chorover et al, 2015).…”

“…This also counts for the highlighted lack of 15 integration of underground biotic elements, although the underground biota performs a crucial ecosystem functioning role (Deruiter et al, 1994;Wall et al, 2015). Data harmonization could be achieved based upon the concept of blending the conceptual frameworks of Ecosystem Integrity (Müller et al, 2000) and the Essential Biodiversity Variables (Pereira et al, 2013) as suggested Haase et al (2018) and the Critical Zone approach (Chorover et al, 2015 andBrantley et al, 2016).…”

“…This also counts for the highlighted lack of 15 integration of underground biotic elements, although the underground biota performs a crucial ecosystem functioning role (Deruiter et al, 1994;Wall et al, 2015). Data harmonization could be achieved based upon the concept of blending the conceptual frameworks of Ecosystem Integrity (Müller et al, 2000) and the Essential Biodiversity Variables (Pereira et al, 2013) as suggested Haase et al (2018) and the Critical Zone approach (Chorover et al, 2015 andBrantley et al, 2016).Drawing from the requirements of ESD modelling, and the apparent complementarities and synergies already lead to 20 network integration efforts in several regions around the globe, basically aiming at the joint use of resource intensive observatories by more than one research community. The integration of existing research and observation networks can be accomplished by either 1) making the existing networks also functional topological networks (Brantley et al, 2017), or 2) thematically and geographically restructuring the available networks.…”

Understanding ecological change across large spatial, temporal and taxonomic scales: integrating data and methods in light of theory

“…Since the mid-20th century, a growing number of long-term contemporary ecological research and monitoring networks have been providing detailed data on spatiotemporal assemblage change (Magurran et al 2010, Lindenmayer et al 2012, Haase et al 2018. Datasets are typically aggregated from field surveys, censuses and monitoring schemes, which involve the direct or indirect detection/non-detection of live organisms.…”