Long Term Ecological Research Network

The Long Term Ecological Research Network (LTER Network) is a research organization based in Santa Barbara, California. The organization employs 14 people. The LTER Network facilitates long-term ecological research to advance understanding of ecological processes. Nearly 2,000 researchers across 28 research programs use long-term observation, experiments, and modeling to study how ecological systems function. The focus is on unraveling principles and processes in ecological science, particularly those involving long-lived species, legacy influences, and rare events. The LTER Network was established to provide policymakers and resource managers with reliable scientific information to support their decision-making. The network strives to generate and share useful and usable knowledge about ecological systems and their services. Funded by the National Science Foundation, the LTER Network serves as a model for a similar international network, the International Long Term Ecological Research Network (ILTER). For more information, visit lternet.edu.