Two LTER Sites Emerge from Hurricanes Intact
Two separate hurricanes tore through LTER sites this past month—but the Luquillo LTER and Florida Coastal Everglades LTER are mostly intact.
Ecosystems are resistant or resilient to hurricanes, but not both
Ecosystems resist devastation from hurricanes by choosing either of two strategies: high resistance or high resilience.
Ready-to-teach R Environmental Datasets: the lterdatasampler R package
We are excited to share with the broader R community a new collection of 8 data samples geared towards teaching environmental data science!
Stream Dissolved Nitrogen Cycling Responds to Human Activity across the Landscape
A new global data synthesis of stream chemistry indicates human activities reduce streams ability to retain and transform nutrients.
Remembering Dr. Frank H. Wadsworth, founder of the Luquillo LTER
The world lost a giant of forest conservation with the passing of the USDA International Institute of Tropical Forestry (IITF) emeritus scientist Dr. Frank H. Wadsworth on January 5th, 2022.
Coordination is everything: Species richness synchrony predicts ecosystem stability across ecosystems
The LTER Synchrony Synthesis group links richness synchrony to ecosystem stability in a new study, showing synchrony is a key control on ecosystem functions.
Hurricane Disturbances May Increase Resilience in Wet Tropical Forests
Hurricanes are typically considered destructive and disastrous, with high-speed winds exceeding 75 miles per hour and torrential downpours. These powerful storms can have major impacts on tropical forests, ripping open the forest canopy and causing organic debris to pile up on the forest floor. Despite these seemingly destructive qualities, new research suggests that ecological disturbance… Read more »
Water is key to tropical forest carbon storage
Tropical forests are sometimes referred to as the “lungs of the planet,” and for good reason – the high plant biomass of tropical regions produces a large portion of the oxygen we breathe and absorbs significant amounts of carbon dioxide. Rainfall, nutrient availability, and amount of disturbance (natural or human) a forest experiences can all… Read more »
LTER sites part of new regional climate hubs
The USDA recently announced the formation of regional climate hubs at seven locations across the United States in an initiative aimed at helping farmers, ranchers and rural communities cope with the effects of climate change. Three of these hubs are associated with Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) Network sites—the Jornada LTER in southern New Mexico,… Read more »
Top Stories
Shaped by fire: the Bonanza Creek LTER
Renewed funding for the LNO prioritizes synthesis, broadening participation, and mentorship
It begins with quality data: non-LTER student uses SBC LTER data to learn R, presents work at ESA
Science at the Top of the World, or, 48 Hours at Beaufort Lagoon Ecosystems LTER
Announcing the LTER Photo Contest, 2024
Engagement Practice Briefs
Crossing boundaries: two new synthesis working groups funded at the LTER
The stunning ecosystems at the SBC LTER
Coastal Connections: Living Life at Two Extremes
Helping students hear the stories that data tell