1 - LTER Intranet

Issue Number 5
Spring 1989
' . ::

DEVELOPING A
FUNCTIONAL LTER
NETWORK
Jerry F. Franldin
While the concept of LTEA sites operating as a network
has been around since the Inception of the program, it
has been slow to develop. The individual LTER sites have
been extremely busy getting their programs Into place-­
establishing experiments, Implementing data management
procedures, developing functional teams, etc.
There Is the scientists' Inherent suspicion of standardization
In most forms and distaste for formalized administrative
structures, Including coordinating
commlllees, In any form.
The LTEA program Is maturing, however. l TEA has a very
high profile and, consequently, expectations of our peers
and the National Science Foundation are also high. We
are beginning to appreciate that our ability to function and
produce as a network Is as critical to the long-term
success and survival of the L TEA program as success of
Individual site programs. More Important, we are recognizing
huge potential of the L TEA network In advancing
ecological science.
Last November at the L TEA Coordinating Committee
meeting held at the Kellogg Biological Station the Committee
moved aggressively in assuming more of the
responsibilities of a scientific network. Significant steps
were taken which will help develop the network as an
entity. These steps included: (1) a decision to develop a
five-year strategic plan for the LTEA network which will
also require us to Identify our collective objectives; (2)
adoption of some common standards for the hardware
and software necessary for communication among the
LTEA sites, Including the exchange and collaborative
analysis of data--the Minimum Standard Installation
(MSI): and (3) establishment of a.n enlarged and central­
Ized network office on the University of Washington campus
in Seattle.
Development of a strategic plan Is the most challenging
projectthatthe L TEA Coordinating Committee has undertaken.
It Is Increasingly clear that we need a collective
vision of how we want the LTER network to evolve. We
have adopted a 5-year planning horizon. A central element
of this plan will be long-term goals. Work on identification
and definition of these goals began last spring
and will accelerate at an April meeting in Albuquerque.
New Mexico. Other elements In the plan Include identification
of the organizational elements (such as lntersite
modeling or data management groups, for example) and
essential common measurement programs (observational
and experimental) necessary to achieve the goals. The
strategic plan will also need to Identify critical resource
needs--such as technologies, scientific personnel, and
funds.
Substantial work has already begun on the Issue of technologies.
A committee chaired by Dr. H.H. Shugart began
the work on technology assessments In 1988 and primari-
ly addressed computer and geographic information systems
(GIS) needs. The MSI concept is an outgrowth of
that work. A special committee chaired by Dr. James
Gosz met In January to further expand our considerations
of technological needs In the LTER networl< and draft the
segment of the strategic plan that deals with that issue.
The technologies under discussion range from the
molecular to remote sensing of landscapes by satellite.
We will also attempt to identify critical needs in technological
development.
The MSI is based on the concept that there needs to be
a minimum and standardized technological capability
common to all sites if the network is to communicate and
be able to carry out intersite (networl

moved from Corvallis. Oregon to Seattle, Washington. We
plan to have three lull-time employees at Seattle In addition
to Research Coordinator Dr. Caroline Bledsoe (who
Is currenlly employed by the National Science Foundation
and will be spending half of her time in Seattle) and
myself. The full-time staff will Include an Administrative
Assistant (Stephanie Martin, who will handle a variety of
tasks, Including publications), a Data Manager, and a
Network Manger. The Data Manager will be devoted to
facilitating data exchange between sites and development
of large problem-oriented data bases. The Network
Manager Is visualized as a trained scientist that will function
as an executive officer for the L TEA Coordinating
Commlltee, representing the network and developing
details on network research, training, and planning.
These steps represent significant forward progress In
development of a truly functional L TEA network. I tool<
forward to greatly expanded participation In planning and
conducting the network activities by scientists Interested
In tong-term ecological research, both Inside and outside
of the formal L TEA network.
Galus R. Shaver
ARCTIC TUNDRA
Toollk Lake Is a large, oligotrophic· kettle lake. in the
northern foothills of the Brooks Range, Alaska. The tundra
surrounding the lake Includes all of the common terrestrial
arctic ecosystem types, as well as a number of
smaller lakes, streams and rivers of various sizes. The
entire region Is underlain by permafrost. with continuous
daylight from mid May to late July and a snow-free season
normally lasting from late May to late September. The
research camp at Toollk Lake Is operated by the University
of Alaska, has a current capacity of 40 scientists, and
Is accessible year-round by road from either Prudhoe Bay
(4 hours) or Fairbanks (9 hours). Travel along the road
provides access to an even wider array of arctic ecosystem
types, Including all of those common to central and
northern Alaska.
Long-term aquatic research at Toollk Lake began In 1975,
and terrestrial ecologists began long-term experiments
and observations there in 1976. Since then, about 25-30
senior Investigators and many more students and·technlclans,
from a number of institutions In the United States
and Europe, have worked at Toolik Lake. About 10 of
these scientists have maintained their research there
continuously since the mid-1970's.
The new arctic L TEA program at Toolik Lake is designed
to build on this extensive research base, to provide core
funding for ongoing, long-term experiments. and to linl<
terrestrial. lake, and stream studies more explicitly than
has been possible In the past. The program currently
Includes 15 principal investigators from 7 different institu-
3
tions, including the Universities of Alaska, Cincinnati.
l

over the arctic landscape, from terrestrial to aquatic
ecosystems. This goal Is especially important In the context
of human disturbance, because we know that the
structure and productivity of terrestrial ecosystems Is
strongly nutrient-limited, and that disturbance In general
tends to Increase nutrient cycling rates and overall
nutrient availability. We also know that aquatic ecosystems
are strongly dependent on nutrient Inputs from the
surrounding tundra. To describe the cycling of nutrients
within different terrestrial ecosystems, and the movement
of nutrients over the landscape, we are focusing on
development of a model of nutrient transport, combined
with the use of stable Isotopes as tracers to identify major
sources, sinks, and pathways of element cycling.
Evidence collected to date suggests that primary production
In some sites may depend on nitrogen Inputs from
adjacent ecosystems for as much as 10-20 per cent of
their annual nitrogen requirement. This conclusion is
based In part on the lack of correlation between annual
N mineralization In soils and the annual N requirement of
primary production, with surplus amounts of N mineral­
Ized In some sites and not enough in others. The main
evidence, though, Is the series of changes In concentration
of inorganic N in soil water, as the soil water moves
down slope through a series of contrasting vegetation
types. The sites with the greatest deficit In N mineralization
are also those with the greatest decreases In lnorganlc
N In soil water, suggesting that in these sites theN
carried In from upslope ecosystems Is being taken up and
used In support of plant production.
For additional Information contact Galus Shaver, The
Ecosystems Center, Marine Biological Lab, Woods Hole,
MA 02543, (508)548-3705.
VIRGINIA COAST RESERVE
Ray Oueser
The past year has been exciting for the Virginia Coast
Reserve Long-Term Ecological Research Program at the
University of Virginia.
Thirty-three LTER subprojects were Initiated during the
year, ranging from literature reviews to long-term experiments.
Most of the field projects were designed to provide
survey data on basic ecosystem properties (e.g .. spatial
variability In soli organic matter and soli nutrient pools)
for which little or no field work was devoted to designing,
perfecting and Implementing sampling methods appropriate
to long-term studies In a harsh environment.
Plans for the forthcoming field season Include new Initiatives
In stable Isotope analysis, population genetics and
mlcroevolutlon, physiological ecology of evergreen
shrubs, and plant demography.
GIS activities progressed on several fronts. Semi-rectified
versions of the 197 4 vegetation maps compiled by Cheryl
McCaffrey for Hog, Rogue. Wreck. Cobb, Little Cobb, and
Cedar Islands have been complied using a ERDAS GIS.
The GIS Images have a resolution of 2x2 m. Final rectification
to the UTM coordinate system Is expected when
copies of the original aerial photographs are received In
January.
A geomorphological data layer was developed for Hog
Island. Aerial photographs from 1985 (1 :12,000 scale)
were projected onto a base map, classified based on
visible geomorphological and vegetative features, and
digitized using ERDAS to a 10m resolution. The resulting
GIS Image has 20 classes of landscape elements ranging
from active beach to low saltmarsh. A corresponding data
matrix exhibits the relationship between the landscape
elements and the dominant processes responsible for
geomorphological change In eacrt element (e.g., storm
overwash, aeolian deposition). Field work during summer
1989 will test the validity of the process matrix.
A botanical dataset based on Information complied by
Cheryl McCaffrey has been entered Into the VCR/LTER
database. The dataset consists of two data files. The first
contains a preliminary listing of vascular plant species
known to occur on any of the VIrginia barrier Islands.
along with common names. origin (Introduced. native),
and growth form (shrub, tree. herb). The second file
contains a listing of each island on which a species
occurs, the vegetation types In which it occurs, and Its
relative abundance. Both data files will expand as additional
species are collected on the Islands.
Above-ground primary production of marsh cordgrass
(Soartlna alternlflora) Is being estimated on a series of
permanent plots. The methodology, developed by Jim
Morris at the North Inlet LTER site. utilizes length-weight
relationships of permanently marked plants. Sediment
pore-water chemistry and hydrology are being monitored
at the same sites. Preliminary results suggest that both
morphology and primary production of Soartlna are
strongly affected by pore-water conditions, particularly
4

salinity. Ultimate controls appear to include a comblnation
of local climatology, terrestrial ntn-off and seasonal nJ.llQ[a decomposition was begun in March 1988. Root
sea level fluctuations. Grazing by crabs on Spartina ap- decomposition and root growth into the litter bags is
pears to be significant In certain sections of the coastal being studied at depths ranging from the marsh surface
marshes. Emphasis will be placed during the coming year to -40 em using 50-cm long litter bags inserted vertically
upon quantifying the Impact of this herbivore grazing. in the marsh sediment. Results from the first 7 months
Four projects were initiated by the microbial ecology indicate different trends in the rates of weight loss begroup
during the past year, Including three decomposi- tween the creek bank and the marsh interior. Decomposition
studies (each concerned with a different temporal tlon rates on the marsh surface have exceeded those of
scale) and a study of
the buried plant material,
variation in water-quality
but no clear differences in
along the box transect
rates have been observed
between the mainland between litter buried 0-
and Hog Island.
10 em and 30-40 em
Studies of decomposl-
below the surface. These
tlon are usually con-
results, along with measducted
on time scales
urements of sediment
ranging from several
moisture and platinum
weeks to months and
electrode potential, sugyears.
We have initiated
gest that variation In the
studies with time scales
rates of belowground
ranging from several
decomposition may be redays
(short-term) to
lated to differences in the
months (Intermediate-
degree of sediment aeraterm)
to years (long-
lion. We are currently testterm).
In the short-term
ing this hypothesis In
experiments, litter dry
laboratory simulations
weight loss and the
with controlled drainage
growth and activity of
regimes.
microorganisms were
A long-term study of the
examined in detail during
decomposition of Spartina
the first 2 weeks of decay
foliage and roots was Inand
compared with later
itiated on a geologically
stages of decay. Litter
active section of Parbagscontalningeelgrass
ramore Island in June
(Zo.sler rnat:ina) were 1988. This experiment
submerged to the sedl-
tal

Water quality monitoring at 10 permanent stations from
the mainland saltmarshes to Quinby Inlet was started In
July 198B. These stations are sampled monthly for bac·
terlal abundance, microbial activity (respiration and incor·
poratlon of acetate), dissolved organic carbon (DOC),
particulate organic carbon (POC), pH, salinity, oxygen
concentration, turbidity, temperature, and sediment char·
acterlstlcs. Summer results show the greatest bacterial
abundance and microbial activity In the mainland marsh
creeks with declining abundance and activity with In·
creasing distance from the mainland marshes to a mini·
mum In the Inlet. Bacterial abundance and microbial
activity In the back-barrier Island marsh creeks are sub·
stantlally greater than at non-marsh stations but are slg·
nlftcantly less than In the mainland marsh creeks. Our
current hypothesis Is that the Influence of the mainland
(greater nutrient input, greater sediment loads, etc.) Is
responsible for higher microbial abundance and activity
In the landward marshes as compared with the Island
marshes. Continued monitoring will provide more lnfor·
matlon regarding seasonal fluctuations In microbial
processes occurring In the water column.
Ecological modeling on the VCA/LTER site has been
strongly oriented to developing a basis for Inter-site com·
parlsons using models (Shugart 196B, Shugart and Urban
1986, Shugart et al., in press) and In augmenting site·
specific data collection. This orientation Is currently
focused on vegetation models that simulate the lnterac·
tlon of plants of differing life forms (grasses, shrubs, and
trees). The philosophy behind this approach and some of
the Initial results have been published In a recent
workshop In Germany that discussed the use of long-term
ecological research In both global and local studies
(Shugart et al., In press). This work has been funded In
part by the VCR/LTER Program and In part by the LTER
coordinating committee grant. This project Is a collaborative
effort with scientists at the Central Plains and Konza
Prairie L TEA sites as well as with other collaborators
throughout the LTER network. BUt Lauenroth (Central
Plains) Is spending his sabbatical at the University of
VIrginia and has been actively Involved In this Inter-site
modeling project.
For additional Information contact Ray Dueser, Dept. of
Environmental Sciences, University of VIrginia, Charlottsvllle,
VA 22903.
References:
Shugart, H.H. 19B6. The Role of Ecological Models In
Long-Term Ecological Studies. p. 90-109. l.n G.E.
Likens (ed.), Long-Term Studies in Ecology. Springer
Vet1ag, New York.
Shugart, H.H. and D.L. Urban. 19BB. Scale, Synthesis,
and Ecosystem Dynamics. p. 279-290. ln L. R.
Pomeroy and J.J. Alberts (eds), Concepts of Ecosystem
Ecology. Springer Verlag, New York.
Shugart, H.H., G.B. Bonan, D.L. Urban, W.K. Lauenroth,
W.J. Parton, and G.M. Hornberger. In press. Computer
models and long term ecological research. ln P.G.
Risser (ed.), Long-Term Ecological Research and
Global Ecology. Scope Series, John Wiley, New York.
6
Les Viereck
BONANZA CREEK
Bonanza Creek Exrerlmental Forest (BCEF) was established
In 1963 by the U.S. Forest Ser.tice to provide an
area for basic and applied research In typical upland and
flood-plain landscapes In the taiga of Interior Alaska. The
area Is a part of the Tanana Valley State Forest which is
leased to the Forest Service and has a long history of use
by scientists from the Institute of Northern Forestry and
the University of Alaska. In 1 9B3 a wildfire burned through
about 2000 ha of the upland segment of the forest and
has provided opportunities to study many aspects of
secondary succession In a number of different ecosystem
types. Forest types on the experimental forest Include
white spruce, black spruce, paper birch, quaking aspen,
and balsam poplar.
The central hypothesis of our LTER study Is that the
pattern of succession in determined primarily by Initial site
characteristics and by the life history traits of component
species and that the rate of successional change Is then
determined by vegetation-caused changes In environ·
ment and ecosystem function. We are testing this
hypothesis both on the uplands, where secondary succession
is Initiated by fire, and on the flood plain of the
Tanana River where major flood events trigger primary
succession.
Since 1988 was our first full year of operation, major effort
was placed on establishing permanent study plots and
climate monitoring stations. We have Installed two per·
manent weather stations within Bonanza Creek Ex·
perimental Forest -- one on the flood plain of the Tanana
River (120 m elevation) and the other on a broad ridge
about midway in an elevatlonal transect In the Forest
(290m elevation). Electronic data loggers are being used
to monitor these sites year round. Parameters measured
Include air temperature, relative humidity, soil tempera·
ture, soil moisture, precipitation, evaporation, wind sped
and direction, radiation, and depth of frost In the soil. All
climatic data are stored In a relational menu-driven
database and monthly summary reports are being
produced which are available upon request.
Weather data from the National Weather Ser.tlce station
at Fairbanks were used to compile a long term synopsis
of BCEF climate. A strongly continental climate Is lndl·
cated by temperature extremes which range from ·50 to
+ 35°C. The mean annual temperature of -3,3°C results in
the formation of permafrost on north-facing slopes and
poorly drained lowlands. July is the warmest month with
mean daily temperature of 16.4"C and January Is the
coldest with an average temperature of ·24°C. Annual
precipitation of 269 mrn falls primarily In the summer
months, while winter precipitation (about one third of the
total) remains as a permanent snow cover for 6 to 7
months of the year. The amount and seasonal distribution
of precipitation Is almost identical to that of the Jornada
LTER site In New Mexico.
Our field experimental design consists of three replications
of seven turning points In the two successional

sequences. Both sequences lead to white spruce and
begin with a recently burned area In the uplands and
young alluvial deposits on the flood plain. Three turning
points were located In the uplands and four on the flood
plain. We use the term turning point to emphasize the fact
that In relatively short time intervals critical changes in
ecosystem structure are accompanied by functional
changes which have far-reaching effects on ecosystem
development. Each site has a 50 x 60 m control plot
designed for long term monitoring of the ecosystem. In
addition. there are either three or four 30 x 40 m treatment
plots depending on the experiments planned for that site.
This design results In a total of 15 ha of actual plot area.
There Is also sufficient area adjacent to the established
plots for experimental sites which may be required In the
future. During 1988 we concentrated on locating all 21
experimental sites and physically marking plot boundaries
on the ground. The Initial vegetation and soil Inventories
have been completed In two thirds of the control
plots. Seedfall and lltterfall monitoring have also been
initiated. These initial Inventories will be completed during
the 1 989 field season as well as stem mapping and
downed tree Inventory. In addition. climatic stations have
been established at one control plot In each of the seven
turning points In order to monitor abiotic changes occurring
wllh succession.
This coming field season (1989) we will also complete the
Installation of se.veral long term experiments. These include:
(1) altering resource availability by adding
nitrogen, sawdust, or sucrose or by limiting precipitation
Input: (2) the natural pattern of colonization and succession
will be altered by planting artificial communities in
early succession (vegetation-free silt, N-fixlng alder.
spruce. or alder + spruce): (3) moss will be removed to
document the role of mosses in controlling soli temperature
and nutrient cycling; and (4) herbivores will be excluded
from some artificial communllles. Measurements
planned for these experiments Include plant establishment
and growth, soil nutrient availability, biomass
and standing stocks of nutrients, soli microbial and Invertebrate
activity, and secondary metabolite concentrations
In plants and forest floor.
The sclenllsts at Bonanza Creek Experimental Forest
encourage othets who are interested to enter into
cooperative research in these fascinating subarctic
ecosystems. It you would like additional Information, contact
Dr. Keith Van Cleve. Agricultural and Forestry Experiment
Station, University of Alaska. Fairbanks. AK 99775.
tions over regions as distant as the Uniled States and New
Zealand are affected. One extreme of the ENSO
phenomenon, associated with an increase In upperocean
temperatures In the eastern equatorial Pacific, Is
called an El Nino event. The opposite extreme. linked with
colder than normal water In the tropical Pacific, has been
called an anti-EI Nino event or, more recently, referred to
as La Nina. Presently, a La Nina event with oceanic conditions
stronger than any such event since the 1973-1975
period exists In the tropical Pacific.
Climatologists and oceanographers maintain a careful
watch on the status of the ENSO phenomenon. One
valuable Index for judging conditions associated with the
ENSO phenomenon Is the difference In the monthly mean
for sea level pressure anomalies at Tahiti and Darwin.
Australia (see figure below). The monthly atmospheric
Indices are standardized by the standard deviation of the
appropriate long-term monthly mean at each station. The
period from August to November of 1988 has had four
positive values between 1 and 2. The present Index Is
higher than at any time since 1975 and indicates that a
strong La Nina phase is now occurring. The data used in
this figure and other climate diagnostic Information are
available free of charge lh the monthly Climate Diagnostic
Bulletin which can be obtained through the Climate
Analysis Center, W/NMC52, NOANNWS/NMC. Room
605, World Weather Building, Washington. D.C. 20233.
Please specify that you wish to receive the Climate Diagnostic
Bulletin.
An example of the relationships between the ENSO
phenomenon and winter precipitation patterns In North
America can be seen In spring runoff from the Gila Hiver
In New Mexico. Spring discharge from the Gila River near
Gila, New Mexico, a site approximately 200 km southwest
of the Sevilleta L TEA and 175 l

L TEA, Is plotted for 1969-1988. Spring runoff of snowmelt
from a mountainous region such as the Gila drainage
basin Is a good spatial and temporal integrator of regional
precipitation from the late fall until early spring. The two
highest spring discharges from the Gila occurred In 1973
and 1983 after the strong El Nino events of 1972-73 and
1982-83. Another year with higher than average spring
discharge, 1987, followed the moderate El Nino event of
1986-87. La Nina events have generally been associated
with reduced spring discharge from the Gila. The extended
period of positive anomalies In the Southern Oscillation
Index from the middle of 1970 until early 1972
were reflected In very low runoff from the Gila In 1971 and
1972. The two other La Nina events in this period of
record, late 1973 to 1974 and mid-1975 to early 1976, also
were associated with below normal discharge in 197 4 and
1976. No strong La Nina events have occurred since the
mid-1970's until the present conditions which began In
the second half of 1988. At the present time, the Southwestern
U.S. Is experiencing a dry winter.
The ENSO phenomenon has a global Impact on climate.
ENSO-affected regions are known to typically have
greater variability In annual precipitation than regions
without direct teleconnectlon to ENSO. In more northerly
altitudes of the U.S., the Influence of ENSO phenomena
on precipitation may be the opposite of that documented
for the Southwest. For example, the Northwest may experience
Increased winter precipitation during a La Nina
phase. It will be of Interest to see If, and how, the various
LTER sites are affected by this important perturber of
global weather during this current La Nina winter.
Additional Information may be obtained by contacting
one of the authors at the Dept. of Biology, University of
New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131.
UPCOMING WORKSHOP
ON TREE MORTALITY
Tree mortality Is an excellent, but long neglected, subject
for long-term study. Moreover, tree mortality Is fundamental
to understanding how forested ecosystems function
and respond to stress. Despite conventional wisdom that
perennial plant demography can not be studied, experience
from the Andrews l TEA suggests even a 10 year
study provides considerable Insight Into the demography
of long-lived tree species. Tree mortality Is also neglected
from short-term lltterfall and production studies, the end
result being that this process has been virtually ignored
In global carbon budgets. Data from the Andrews l TEA
Indicates tree death accounts for 50% of the above
ground litterfall and for ca. 30% of the above ground net
primary production In old-growth conifer forests.
This paucity of Information need not continue! LTER
could provide a valuable service to all by Identifying
available data sets, focusing future research efforts, and
synthesizing existing information. In order to foster Intersite
comparisons and synthesis, Mark Harmon and Jerry
Franklin will be hosting a three day workshop on tree
mortality In Corvallis In September 1989. Tentative discus-
8
sion topics Include: (1) possible comparative studies/syntheses
within L TEA; (2) Identifying existing data sets
within and outside L TEA: (3) examine data requirements
for meaningful regional and global syntheses: (4) standardization
of methods: and (5) the relevance of this
process toward understanding ecosystem succession,
modeling, nutrient cycling, and production.
Limited funding will be available for travel of the participants,
so if someone at your site (Including nonLTEA
sites) would like to participate In the workshop please
contact: Dr. Mark E Harmon, Department of Forest
Science, Oregon State University, Peavy Hall 154, Corvallis,
OR 97331-5705
ARE DESERTS MORE
VARIABLE THAN LAKES?
John J. Magnuson, Timothy Kratz, and Gary Cunningham
We often think of a desert as being an exposed ecosystem
with a highly variable, severe environment where variation
In precipitation Is critical. In contrast, we view a lake as a
more constant environment well buffered from thermal
change by the mass and heat capacity of water and from
biological Invasions owing to Isolation. How can such
qualitative presumptions be tested quantitatively?
Comparison of different ecosystems In a non-trivial
fashion Is often difficult because there are few common
entities. Deserts and lakes provide a classic example of
this. It Is difficult to compare fish and small mammals,
zooplankton and ants, forbs, and phytoplankton. The
more Imaginative can think of analogous metrics in structure
of food web assemblages and processes such as
energy flow and biogeochemical cycling. Yet, we do not
have a means of quantitatively comparing the temporal
and spatial variability of desert and lake ecosystems.
An lntersite activity Is In full swing to explore new metrlcs
for comparing similarities and differences in the temporal
and spatial variability of diverse ecosystems. Variability is
common to all ecological systems and is a feature which
is thought to be Important by ecologists. Although
ecosystem variability Is not well understood. we expect
that a serious analysis of It can provide Insight Into forces
affecting ecosystem processes as well as a meaningful
measure with which to compare different ecological systems.
Here we provide some preliminary results compar­
Ing the variability of two ecosystem types: a southwestern
U.S. desert (the Jornada Desert l TEA Site In New Mexico)
and northern temperate lakes (the North Temperate
Lakes LTEA Site In Wisconsin).
To formalize the analysis, we computed variability estimates
from a standard two-way analysis of variance
where location In the ecosystem (different geomorphic
units at Jornada; different lal

parameter: variation among locations, variation among
years, and variation owing to the combination of measurement
error and Interaction between year and location
which we called variation owing to "other". Data were
relativlzed by dividing each value In a location by year
matrix by the grand mean of the matrix. This transformation
was done to dampen the effects of measuring different
parameters in different units. We also calculated
the proportion of variance explained by location, year,
and other from a model II ANOVA.
As most realists might have expected, the answer to
whether deserts are more variable than lakes Is "it
depends on the measure of variability and on whether we
consider climatic, edaphlc, plant, or animal data" (see
figure). However, there are some generalities that
emerge In our first statistical analyses using nonparametric
paired comparisons.
groundwater flow system are more Influential than the
position along the catena in the desert, at least for abiotic
variables.
Among "other", deserts tend to be more variable than
lakes for abiotic variables while lakes tend to be more
variable for animals (see figure). The striking feature Is that
variation owing to other (Interaction and error) Is much
greater for animals in lakes than deserts. We think that the
interaction term dominates for animals In lakes because
most of the fish In our samples are young of the year and
the recruitment of young fishes is notoriously variable
among years, but different lakes respond differently in a
given year. For example In one lake one species of fish
(yellow perch) is dominant while in another lake a different
species (bluegill) is -- conditions favoring one species
may not favor the second species. Also, the smaller lakes
are better buffered from damaging effects of storms on
Are Lakes or Deserts More Variable?
Jarnada Versus North Temperate Lakes
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Among years, deserts are more variable than lakes (see
figure). Relative variances among years for deserts are
greater than for lakes for climatic and plant data. Also, the
proportion (r2) of the total variance due to years is greater
for deserts than for lakes for climatic, plant, and animal
data. Apparently deserts are less buffered from year to
year variability In weather than lakes and this is evident
not only In the climatic measures but also in the plant and
animal data.
Among locations, lakes tend to be more variable than
deserts (see figure). The proportion (r2) of the total
variance Is greater for lakes than for deserts in climatic
and edaphic characteristics, but greater for deserts for
animal characteristics. Apparently the greater physical
Isolation among lakes and the influence of position in the
fish eggs and larvae compared to the large lakes. Thus
the interaction between year and lake effects could well
be reaL The greater importance of Interaction In the
abiotic characteristic of deserts over lakes is less clear.
Perhaps differences In water retention characteristics
among the desert locations cause the different geomorphic
units to respond differently to rain events.
The above analysis and preliminary interpretation appear
to provide a means of making meaningful comparison
between divergent ecosystems such as lakes and desert.
They also cause one to search the back of their mind for
processes which might generate the difference in observed
patterns of yearly and spatial variation. Some of
these confirm our expectations, others we believe will
catalyze new research.
9

LTER BULLETIN BOARD
Bill Lauenroth
The L TEA network bulletin board is up and running at
Colorado State University. It is running on a Sun 3861
named Goecoccyx and can be accessed via tel net or over
a phone line with a modem. The telnet address of
Geococcyx Is 129.82.104.22 and the telephone number
Is 303-491-5603.
When you connect you will see a prompt for a login name.
The login name Is Iter (be sure to use lower case for all
responses). This will get you directly into the bulletin
board program. The first time you log onto the bulletin
board you will have to provide identification Information.
In subsequent sessions you will only have to provide your
name and password.
The bulletin board Is organized Into conferences and
subconferences. It Is very easy to add conferences In
response to topics of Interest to L TEA scientists. Please
feel free to make suggestions about conferences In which
you would like to pantclpate. There Is a suggestions
sub-conference under the general conference.
If you have any questions or problems In accessing the
bulletin board please contact the system operator Manln
Fowler (martln@cusgnat.nrel.colostate.edu, 303-491-
1996). Tom Kirchner (tomnrel@csugold, 303-491-1986),
or Bill Lauenroth (wkl3a@vlrglnla, 004-924-0552).
EPA Plans for Initiatives in
Ecological Research
LEAN quickly recognized that a strategic ecological effects
research program must accommodate a spectrum
of decisions, both in the present and in the future, concerning
environmental quality. Moreover, such a program
must take into account that EPA Is a rlsl< management
agency and that, to meet its responsibility, ecological
research programs must be planned and carried out In
the context of an ecological risk assessment paradigm.
At least three major developments in the area of environmental
protection have led to the need for this risk
paradigm. The first Is the realization that the aggregate
effect of apparently rational decisions about single chemicals.
releases, or stresses may place a total multlpollutant
stress on ecosystems. The second Is the realization that
indirect and cumulative effects lrom pollutants are a
threat to ecological resources and can only be anticipated
by having a full understanding of the Interactions
between pollutants and ecosystems. Finally, some of the
most important stresses to be dealt with now are so
pervasive that their full impact can only be understood at
the ecosystem level.
The RSC committee recommended a core program of
ecological effects research that would be built around
four strategic elements: (1) defining the status ol ecological
systems; (2) detecting trends and changes in ecosystems;
(3) predicting changes In ecosystems; and
(4) assessing risks to ecosystems. These elements are
more fully described In the LEAN committee report entitled
"Strategies for Ecological Effects Research", copies
of which can be obtained from the Science Advisory
Board. In addition to recommending a broad and ex-
Stan Auerbach
In 1987 EPA administrator Lee Thomas requested that the
EPA Science Advisory Board (SA8) establish a committee
to review the agency's past and present programs In
ecological research and to outline a program of long-term
ecological research related to the agency's needs.
Thomas' concerns were threefold: (1) over the past
decade the- EPA research program had evolved Into a
program focusing on shon-term needs, to the detriment
of meeting long-term research responsibilities; (2) EPA's
research and development program has to be expanded
and reoriented to Include much more basic. long-term
research not necessarily tied to the Immediate regulatory
needs of EPA's program offices; and (3) the agency must
be able to anticipate and prlorltl:ze future threats to
ecological resources In order to suppon research and
programs dealing with such threats.
Early In 1980 the committee (named the long-Term
Ecological Research Needs Committee [LEAN)) became
a part of a new SAB special committee on research
strategies (RSC). LEAN was charged witll assessing
EPA's long-term research needs and developing the
strategic elements of a research program that would
enable the agency to meet those needs and fulfill its
mission--a mission that Is broader than simply that of a
regulatory agency.
10

panded program of research, the RSC recommended
that EPA establish and fund a new environmental institute
that would play a key role In an enlarged, coordinated
program of national ecological research. This Institute
would have several functions: (1) It would conduct a core
ecological research program that would Interact with
other major ecological research programs, such as the
NSF-LTER, DOE-NEAP, and MAS-Biosphere Reserve efforts
as well as those of other federal agencies. (2) It
would have a central responsibility In the design and
Implementation of a national ecological monitoring program,
which Is needed to provide an overall picture of
ecological health. (3) It would serve as a center for data
analysis and synthesis with the charge of analyzing and
defining trends In ecological quality and describing those
trends In an annual report to the nation on overall quality
of the environment.
During the past quarter century, U.S. ecologists have had
a number of major opportunities to which they have
responded with vigor and enthusiasm. These Include the
radioecology research programs of the Atomic Energy
Commission which provided much of the experimental
and theoretical systems analysts bases for ecosystem
ecology; the Blome Programs of the U.S. IBP which
established ecosystem ecology as a viable area of research;
and the followup ecosystem program represented
by the NSF LTER effort. The new Initiatives of the
EPA not only reflect this past effort but If supported and
Implemented would result In the greatest quantum jump
In long-term ecological research In our short history.
Author's address: Environmental Sciences Division, Oak
Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831-6036.
Six ... vear Review and
Renewal Process
Tom Callahan, National Science Foundation and
Caroline Bledsoe, Research Coordinator, L TEA Network
OHice
NSF has outlined a 6-year plan for review and renewal of
the L TEA projects. Projects will be grouped Into 3 cohorts
and receive 6 year grants. For each cohort, In the renewal
year, renewal proposals will be due February 1. Panels
will meet In April of that year to review the proposals, and
renewal funding set for October 15 of that year. All
projects will have regularly scheduled site reviews midway
through the six year cycle (during odd-numbered
years). All projects will submit a progress report during
June of each year.
Proposal and funding dates are February 1 and October
151n 1990 (Cohort 1--Andrews, Central Plains, Coweeta,
Konza, North Inlet, Niwot Ridge, and North Temperate
Lakes), 1992 (Cohort 2--Bonanza Creek, Hubbard Brook,
Kellogg, Arctic Lakes, and VIrginia Coast Reserve), and
1994 (Cohort 3--Cedar Creek, Jornada, Harvard Forest,
Luquillo Puerto Rico. and Sevllleta).
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
FOR LONG-TERM
RESEARCH
John J. Magnuson
The National Science Foundation has developed several
opportunities that can be used to enrich the research
activities at L TEA sites. The first cycle for most of these
has passed but these opportunities should be kept In
mind for later this year.
(1) 1989 INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL GRANTS FOR
GRADUATE STUDENTS. 200 travel awards are available
to enable outstanding graduate students nearing completion
of their doctoral studies (or those receiving a Ph.D.
after 1985) to attend two-week NATO Advanced Study
Institutes In Europe. The announcements of Individual
Institutes are In the final January 1989lssue of Science or
are available from NSF (202-357-7536).
(2) FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES IN ENVIRONMEN­
TAL BIOLOGY FOR NEW Ph.D's. The deadline for 1990
should be about August 1, 1989. There were 20 awards
for 1989. One of the objectives of this program Is to
"encourage the young scientist to move to a new Institution
and research environment In order to benefit from
new experiences and exposure to new concepts".lt might
be an ideal mechanism to encourage new Ph.D.'s
(American nationals) to get involved In LTER landscape
ecology using geographic Information systems, for example.
Inquires In writing go to Postdoctoral (EB) Fellowships,
Rm 215, Biotic Systems and Resources, NSF, 1800
G Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20550.
(3) MID-CAREER FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES IN EN­
VIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY. The deadline for 1990 should
be about 1 December 1989. A maximum of 10 awards
were to be made for 1989. The program encourages
experienced scientists to move temporarily to a new
Institution and research environment or learn new research
methods, techniques, or concepts. It also
promotes scientific collaborations, both domestic and
International, Including Interdisciplinary ventures. It could
provide experienced LTER Investigators an opportunity
to conduct significant lnterslte research at another L TEA
site. Inquires go to BSR Mid-Career Fellowships, Rm 215,
Biotic Systems and Resources, NSF.
(4) PROGRAM FOR LONG AND MEDIUM-TERM RE­
SEARCH AT FOREIGN CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE. The
deadline for 1990 should be about 1 January 1990, and
the opportunity Is limited to American nationals who
earned a PhD within six years before the visit starts. The
purpose is to encourage collaborative research relationships
with foreign countries and to facilitate access to
foreign centers and scientists through research visits
from 3 to 15 months. Inquires go to the Division of
International Programs, NSF.
11

(5) SUPPLEMENTS FOR RESEARCH AT LONG-TERM
ECOLOGICAL RESEARCH SITES. The deadline for 1990
should be about 15 November 1989. The opportunity has
been limited to scientists with an active NSF grant In
Ecology, Population Biology and Physiological Ecology,
or Ecosystems to work at an L TEA site at another Institution.
On the one hand, this Is an excellent means for an
NSF funded scientist to take advantage of the benefits of
working at an LTER site. and on the other hand for LTER
sites to attract new science and scientists to their site.
Last year the response was good with one to three
applications being submitted for work at each L TER site.
It Is not too soon to start developing contacts for the 1990
call for addenda. Inquires should be directed to Dr.
Thomas Callahan, NSF, (202-357-9596) or to the individual
L TEA site or sites of Interest.
Note:
Nancy Munn (Ph.D. student under Judy Meyer's direction
at the University of Georgia) received the first E. Lucy
Brown award for the best student poster presented at the
1988 ESA meeting. Congratulations Nancyl
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