Neon Addressing the Nation's Environmental Challenges (2004) / Chapter Skim
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1. The National Ecological Observatory Network
1. The National Ecological Observatory Network
Pages 15-22
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From page 15... ...
Given the recent recognition that environmental changes are occurring on regional to continental and global scales, geographic extent and time scales of ecological research are now necessarily expanding. Such efforts as the National Science Foundation (NSF)
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From page 16... ...
. THE NATIONAL ECOLOGICAL OBSERVATORY NETWORK AS ENVISIONED BY THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION The vision of NEON as presented to the committee by NSF personnel was best summarized in two statements: "Collectively, the network of observatories will allow comprehensive, continental-scale experiments on ecological systems and will represent a virtual laboratory for research to obtain a predictive understanding of the environment" (NSF 2004 budget request to Congress, |
From page 17... ...
Through the network of facilities built to conduct detailed ecological experiments and observations related to major environmental issues, the biological effects of alternative environmental actions and policies could be forecasted and evaluated. Design of NEON NSF envisions NEON as a network of observatories, each of which is itself a network of field sites in a region (Figure 1-1~.
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From page 18... ...
The sites could consist of existing biological field stations, L.TER sites, marine laboratories, university facilities, or federal, state, or local agency research facilities. The aims of the regional networks of research sites are to leverage existing infrastructure and to encourage and facilitate partnerships among government agencies, academic institutions, and others.
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From page 19... ...
a state, and local programs and would coordinate public outreach activities. Because NSF suggests that NEON activities be integrated with existing federal, state and local programs, the American Institute of Biological Sciences is developing a database of current federal and state field-based ecological programs with an eye to facilitating the establishment of connections between academic researchers and existing government programs.
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From page 20... ...
. Examples of single-purpose large facilities and large infrastructure that have been supported through MREFC funds are the Atacama Large Millimeter Array the world's largest and most powerful radio telescope operating at millimeter and submillimeter wavelengths; the High Performance Instrumented Airborne Platform for Environmental Research, a research aircraft with altitude, range, and endurance capabilities that would enable investigators to perform critical earth system research, and the Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory, two sites that consist of L-shaped interferometers designed to detect gravitational waves.
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From page 21... ...
. Is a national network of field and laboratory research infrastructure (e.g., environmental sensor arrays, remotely operated gas and ion analyzers, biodiversity monitoring instrumentation)
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From page 22... ...
Various relevant government agencies and professional organizations were also invited to be represented at the workshop. In addition to the workshop, the National Research Council hosted a Web forum from June 2 to 17, 2003, during which the broad scientific community was invited to post comments and views on NEON.
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