The first international meeting to focus exclusively on long-term ecological research networking was convened by the U.S. Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) Network in Estes Park, Colorado in the United States, September 23-24, 1993. Thirty-nine scientists and administrators representing 16 countries participated. Each country representative reported briefly on long-term ecological research projects and networks, highlighting the potential value of international exchange.

Following an exercise in which participants identified issues of common concern to the global long-term ecological research community, five focus groups were organized to formulate plans for immediate and long-term action on the following topics. Their recommendations were presented and discussed in a final session during which an organizational structure and tentative schedule for future activities were also created.

1. Communication & Information Access for LTER Researchers Worldwide

• Determine the general connectivity status of LTER sites and scientists by country or region.
• After completing a connectivity assessment, organize a clearinghouse system to facilitate technology and skills transfer between sites.
• Create an international LTER (ILTER) information server on the Internet to provide worldwide access to information and data relevant to long-term ecological research.
• Establish an ILTER server access mechanism (or mechanisms) for researchers in regions presently without access to the international Internet

• Develop minimum site capabilities or standards for inclusion in an ILTER directory.
• Identify existing and potential LTER sites worldwide.
• Create both electronic and hard-copy versions of an ILTER directory to be updated regularly.
• Form a directory working group to secure funding for the creation of an ILTER directory.

• Encourage the pairing of mature and developing sites which share similar ecological settings, and encourage cooperation between pairs of established sites within or between countries.
• Produce an inventory of sources of financial support for ILTER activities and infrastructure at participating sites.

The following questions should be addressed by LTER sites:

• Will phenomena which occur over long time scales be adequately sampled over appropriate spatial scales?
• What is the spatial and temporal range over which site data can be legitimately extrapolated, and what method(s) will be used?
• How much effort will be required for synthesis and intersite comparison, and has flexibility for subsequent adjustment of observations been incorporated into the design?
• Have the selected measurements been adequately tested, and have the required precision and frequency of observations been specified?
• Does the range of variables selected adequately reflect the full range of driving, state and response variables for the system under investigation?

• ILTER sites should be used as sources of information for formal higher education and interdisciplinary curricula development.
• ILTER sites should be used as sources of information for elementary and secondary school curricula.
• ILTER sites and networks should provide clear and accurate information on LTER research to the general public and decisionmakers.

ACTION ITEMS

After further discussion of the focus groups' recommendations, the following action items were adopted:

• Convene the first meeting of the ILTER Steering (Network) Committee in August 1994 in conjunction with the International Congress of Ecology (INTECOL) meeting in the United Kingdom.
• Expand the Steering Committee to achieve wider regional representation.
• Develop a timeline and plan of action to improve electronic communication and international Internet access to information and data.
• Compile a global directory of long-term ecological research sites to be made available both in electronic and hard-copy form.
• Develop and encourage projects that initiate or advance the linkage of individual or paired research sites through reciprocal visits by senior scientists, and exchanges of other researchers and students between sites, including specific proposals for joint research and comparisons.
• Explore funding opportunities with a broad range of agencies and organizations throughout the world, and encourage the participation of international bilateral agencies in the expansion of global long-term ecological research capabilities.