Global Terrestrial Observing Network (GT NET)

The Global Terrestrial Observing Network (GT-NET) is a component of the Global Terrestrial Observing System (GTOS) and serves as a master network system. It has been in development since June 1997, when a meeting of Experts on Ecological Networks established that GT-NET should generate complete and coherent data sets on global terrestrial ecosystems through international research collaboration. This project employs satellite and supporting ground observations to
expand tier-5 coverage within the terrestrial observing system's Global Hierarchical Observing Strategy (GHOST).

GT-NET is a system of observation networks. Each network represents an organized effort for a particular theme, habitat type, or region. The networks include:

(1) Coastal Network (GTN-C). GTOS is creating a coastal initiative that will be responsible for the terrestrial component of coastal study. Key coastal issues that require terrestrial observation include: sand and sediment movement; chemical contamination; carbon budget and primary productivity; water quantity and quality; wetland conservation; biodiversity and biocomplexity; and sea-level rise from global climate change. For more information on the Coastal Network, please go to [http://www.fao.org/gtos/gt-netCOA.html].

(2) Ecology Network (GTN-E). This is an umbrella network linking like-minded ecological efforts. Each member represents a different focus within the ecology observation realm, thus enforcing an overall effort for comprehensive, harmonized data on ecological change. Members include: Centre for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD); Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP); Chinese Ecosystem Research Network (CERN); Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR); Integrating Worldwide CO2 Flux Measurements (FLUXNET); International Cooperative Programme on Integrated Monitoring of Air Pollution Effects on Ecosystem (ICP IM); International Long-Term Ecological Research (ILTER); R*seau d'Observatoires de Surveillance Ecologiqueˆ Long Terme (ROSELT); UK Environmental Change Network (ECN); US Long-term Ecological Research Networks (LTER); and Worldwide Network of Biosphere Reserves (MAB-BR). For more information on this initiative or network members, please go to [http://www.fao.org/gtos/gt-netECO.html].

(3) Glacier Network (GTN-G). The World Glacier Monitoring Service (WGMS) [http://www.geo.unizh.ch/wgms/index.html] has managed the glacier network since it was created in 1998. The network prepares annual mass balance reports that can be accessed through its homepage. These data sets illustrate the acceleration of glacier melt in the last two decades and indicate that especially small tropical glaciers may be lost in the next twenty years. Recent projects within the Glacier Network are described at [http://www.fao.org/gtos/gt-netGLA.html].

(4) Hydrology Network (GTN-H). The WMO Hydrology and Water Resources Programme (HWRP) [http://www.wmo.ch/web/homs/1stpage.html] and the climate and terrestrial observing systems are developing a Global Terrestrial Network on Hydrology (GTN-H) that will coordinate the activities of existing databases and networks. Core functions, products, and future developments are described at [http://www.fao.org/gtos/gt-netHYD.html].

(5) Mountain Network (GTN-M). GTOS identifies mountain-related climate change research as a priority and endorses three main mountain-related activities, all of which are primarily devoted to monitoring and change detection. These activities are: Global Observation Research Initiative in Alpine Environments (GLORIA) project; Global Change and Mountain Regions - The Mountain Research Initiative (MRI); and Terrestrial Ecosystem Monitoring Sites (TEMS) mountain module. For more information on GTN-M, please go to [http://www.fao.org/gtos/gt-netMOU.html].

(6) Permafrost Network (GTN-P). Since 1998, the Terrestrial Observation Panel for Climate has been working with the International Permafrost Association (IPA) [http://www.geodata.soton.ac.uk/ipa] to develop a global network for permafrost observations. Permafrost active layer monitoring and borehole temperature records are the two major components of the network. Parts of the GTN-P are already in place through national and regionally funded projects. For more information on GTN-P, please go to [http://www.fao.org/gtos/gt-netPER.html] or the GTN-P web site at [http://sts.gsc.nrcan.gc.ca/gtnp/index.html].

GT-NET has initiated Demonstration Projects which engage networks and their data sets as they apply to global change to: (1) demonstrate the effectiveness of linking existing networks; (2) test methods for collaboration among networks and sites, including data sharing and exchange; and (3) increase the experience needed for further development of the global terrestrial network. The key activities of the GT-NET Demonstration Projects include defining a clear policy on data and information access; sharing and exchanging environmental data; and developing a set of standards for metadata as well as local regional and global in situ data sets.

The first demonstration project concentrates on improving current estimates of global terrestrial primary productivity. The project adopts a hierarchical approach and uses models that combine both satellite data and in situ observations. A set of output products, which have Net Primary Production (NPP) as their common foundation, will be produced. The global standard NPP product will be distributed to regional networks for evaluation. It is anticipated that this standard product will be translated to regionally specific crop, range, and forest yield maps for land-management applications. Other demonstration projects will produce global land cover maps and leaf area index (LAI) maps.

A GT-NET Demonstration Project Database has been developed and is maintained for GTOS by the Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) Program Network Office. The database can be queried to: View GT-NET Demo Project Sites; List GT-NET Demo Project Contacts; View GT-NET Sites; View all TEMS Sites; View GT-NET Sites by Country; View GT-NET Demo Sites by Country; View GT-NET Sites by Eco-Region; View GT-NET Networks and Contacts; View Sites by Network; Access Site Data (FTP); and Access Methods Documents (FTP). The database also includes access to restricted programs which cover the administrative functions that edit the database. The administrative functions can be executed by individuals that have a password.