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

authored by: Peter Haase, Jonathan D Tonkin, Stefan Stoll, Benjamin Burkhard, Mark Frenzel, Ilse R Geijzendorffer, Christoph Häuser, Stefan Klotz, Ingolf Kühn, William H McDowell, Michael Mirtl, Felix Müller, Martin Musche, Johannes Penner, Steffen Zacharias, Dirk S Schmeller
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.
Organisation(s): Institute of Physical Geography and Landscape Ecology
Physical Geography Group
External Organisation(s): University of Duisburg-Essen
Oregon State University
Trier University of Applied Sciences
Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF)
Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ)
Tour du Valat
Museum für Naturkunde - Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science
University of New Hampshire
Environment Agency Austria (Umweltbundesamt)
Kiel University
University of Freiburg
Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum (SGN)
Universite d'Aix-Marseille
German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig
Universite de Toulouse
Type: Article
Journal: Science of the Total Environment
Volume: 613-614
Pages: 1376-1384
No. of pages: 9
ISSN: 0048-9697
Publication date: 01.02.2018
Publication status: Published
Peer reviewed: Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas: Pollution, Waste Management and Disposal, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Chemistry
Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 15 - Life on Land
Electronic version(s): https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.08.111 (Access: Open)
https://doi.org/10.15488/2113 (Access: Open)