First ILTER Executive Committee Meeting, March 31- April2 2004
Notes
compiled by –
Attendees:
Hen-Biau King – Chair, ILTER Network, Taiwan LTER Network, and East Asia-Pacific Region, hbking@serv.trfi.gov.tw
Steven Hamburg –
Eun-Shik Kim – Korean LTER Network, East Asia-Pacific Region, kimeuns@koomin.ac.kr
Frances Li – U.S. National Science Foundation, USA, fli@nsf.gov
Flavio Luizăo - Brazil LTER Network, Latin America Region, fluizao@inpa.gov.br
Manuel Maass, - Mexico LTER Network, North America Region, maass@oikos.unam.mx
Julius Oszlanyi – Slovakia LTER Network, East and Central Europe Region, julius.oszlanyi@savba.sk
Michel Gutelman – France LTER Network, West Europe Region, michelgu77@hotmail.com
Johan Pauw – Zambia LTER Network, South Africa Region, johan@nrf.ac.za
John Vande Castle – U.S. LTER - Network Office, jvc@lternet.edu
Introduction-
Dr Hen-biau King welcomed attendees and made introductions. He then introduced speakers as they provided reports on events and plans within the ILTER Network.
Network Reports-
Steve Hamburg – US LTER Network. Steve gave background on the new structure
within the U.S. LTER Program. The U.S. LTER Network has now formed a committee
of researchers co-chaired be Steve and Patrick Bourgeron and made up of researchers
at sites of the U.S. LTER Network. Contacts consisting of
Francis Lee mentioned that the US NSF is actively encouraging collaborations between US and international partners. In particular, if international researchers are interested in research with US counterparts, NSF is interested in potentially funding the collaboration regardless of the origin of the research.
J. Pauw presented
the current status of the emerging LTER network in
Francis Lee asked about funding and there was discussion that funding for
ELTOSA and other ILTER research could be pursued from large foundations.
For example the FORD Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, World Bank and others
could potentially fund some of the research efforts. This would probably
be geared towards more general, over-arching efforts rather than individual
projects, but could be a source of support for regional support and coordination.
Francis reiterated that the U.S. NSF has supported previous ELTOSA meetings
to encourage collaboration with
Manuel Maas reported on the Mexican LTER Network.
A recent discussion for this occurred at the 2003 Sima
Xi Research Meeting. It was discussed that a long term relationship coming
from the scientific community was needed. So this was meant to come from
the scientific community rather than a top down, directed effort. Efforts
with collaborators Manuel Mass, Gerardo Ceballos, Robert Waide and others.
The effort was meant in part, to build a group of Mexican “eco-hydrology”
experts. The strategy is to partner LTER sites between
Julius Oszlanyi’ presented information on the
Slovakian LTER Network - Socio-economic research into
issues related to the management of biodiversity and ecosystem. Based on the initial start from 2003 ILTER meeting
in
Flavio Luizăo gave a report on the Brazil PELD
network, the Brazilian LTER program – There were 9 sites originally,
with 3 new (total of 12), each defined by biome. Funding is by the Brazilian
National Research Council (CNPq). The three new sites are within Amazonia which better
covers the area and research focus of
Michel Gutleman reported for the France LTER Network.
His report focused on a project, UNDP – an experiment
of raising funds for the ILTER Network. The UNDP is one of the main international institutions for financing
the development of projects and programs for 30 countries which as listed
as the least developed countries in the world by the United Nations. Each
of these countries can potentially receive funding by the UNDP.
The funds come for projects through institutions of the FAO, UNESCO or a specialized
NGO. Funds from UNDP are considered seed money which must be complimented
by cost sharing from other external funds. Increasingly, external funds are
part of “Master Program” activities, which includes funding, for instance
from local NGO’s. Countries such as
Dr. Zhao Shidong
provided an extensive progress report on the
Before closing the meeting, the ILTER Executive Committee discussed issues
regarding funding potentials both within
Flavio Luizăo and presented the plans for the 2004 ILTER Coordinating
Committee Meeting for July 7-8 in
July, 2-3: Biological Dynamics of
July, 4: Latin-America LTER Network Meeting
July, 4-6: First National Symposium of The Brazilian Long-Term Ecological Research Program (PELD)
July, 7-8: ILTER Steering Committee Meeting
July, 3-6: One-day boat trip to Amazonas-Negro
rivers; Opera House, and short term visits in the
July, 10-11: Field trip to LTER site
July, 7-8: ILTER Steering Committee Meeting Agenda:
July, 7th morning:
Opening session (with Brazilian LTER leader +
Progress reports from regional LTER Networks
New affiliations
Lunch time: Posters session
July, 7th afternoon:
Science syntheses: discussion on current status for:
- Biodiversity Changes
- Global Hydrological and Nutrient Cycle
July, 7-8: ILTER Steering Committee Meeting Agenda:
July, 8th morning:
ILTER activities planning for next year
New research synthesis: discussion on: Global Change; Ecosystem Productivity; Ecosystem Restoration
Lunch time: Posters session
July, 8th afternoon:
Inter-regional studies & cooperation (LTER & other programs)
Ecology network (? LBA experience)
Datasets and information: data exchange progress & policy
Training & Education initiatives
July, 4: ILTER Latin-America Meeting Agenda:
July, 4th afternoon:
Progress reports on LTER national networks
Coffee break
Inter-regional cooperation within LA:
- Identification of similar environments or LUC processes
- Identification of research priorities for LA cooperation
July, 4-6: Brazilian LTER Seminar Agenda:
July, 4th evening: Opening session: Brazilian LTER leader + Amazonas State and Ministry representatives + ILTER Chair
Invited key speech: Dr. José Galizia Tundisi
Cocktail and music show
July, 4-6: I Symposium of Brazilian LTER (PELD) Program:
July, 5th morning:
LTER-Brazil progress and perspectives - Francisco Barbosa
ILTER perspectives and national programs: Dr Hen-biau KingThe Chinese LTER Program- an example: Prof. Zhao Shidong
Coffee break
PELD upgrades in research facilities: F. Luizăo & F. Esteves
PELD actions in T & E; specific scholarship program - CNPq PELD outreach & community work - S. Pellico & A. Agostinho
Lunch time: Posters session
July, 5th afternoon:
Brazilian LTER (PELD) research in aquatic ecosystems:
a) Freshwater sites: RGS, PR, MG, PB
Coffee break
b) Estuarine and Coastal sites: RGS, RJ
c) Seasonally flooded freshwater sites: MS, MT
July, 6th morning:
PELD research in terrestrial ecosystems:
a) Atlantic forest (MG) and Araucaria forest (PR)
b) Amazonian tropical rain forest (AM)
Coffee break
c) Savanna/Cerrados (DF, PI)
d) Caatinga (CE)
July, 4-6: I Symposium on Brazilian LTER (PELD) Program:
Lunch time: Posters session
July, 6th afternoon:
Research priorities in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems
Scaling up ecological measurements
Ecosystems interaction and long-distance effects
Coffee break
Cross-research at PELD sites
Discussion of syntheses on: Carbon sequestration; Primary productivity vs. biodiversity; Nutrient dynamics; Invasive species
Data and information system: progress and policies
There will be a poster session for country presentations and presentation of regional network reports during the meeting. There will need to be discussion and potential adoption of the bylaws.
The Executive Committee had the following suggestions for modification to the meeting. Change the name of the meeting to the ILTER Coordinating Committee Meeting. There should be an Executive Committee meeting prior to the Coordinating Committee Meeting – July 6th to discuss issues regarding bylaw adoption, funding, and other issues.
Some ILTER people will be involved in the Brazil ILTER meeting on July 5
- LTER-Brazil progress and perspectives Francisco Barbosa, ILTER perspectives
and national programs: Dr Hen-biau King, The Chinese LTER Program- an example:
Prof. Zhao Shidong. Translation services will be needed for some of the
The schedule will be:
July 2-3 – Biological Dynamics of
July 4–
July 5 – Selected ILTER presentations at the Latin America LTER Network Meeting
July 6 – Afternoon ILTER Executive Committee Meeting
July 7 – ILTER Coordinating Committee Meeting – Reports am, bussiness, pm
July 8 – ILTER Science Meeting
July 9th Morning ILTER Executive Committee Meeting
July 9th – Afternoon Field trip
July 10th – Field Trip
July 11th – Departures
Flavio Luizao mentioned that funding will be needed
for some ILTER members to attend the 2004 ILTER Committee meeting. Requests
for funding may be made to the US NSF to assist. Funding for speakers at
the meeting who can fund their own travel could be diverted to fund some members
who cannot afford it. There could also be a registration fee charged for
the meeting which could be used. With the transition of the US ILTER program,
funding will probably not be available as in the past for international