Technology:National Ecological Observatory Network: Construction Funding
NEON, an integrated observatory for research at continental to regional scales. Source: NSF.
Published: July 29, 2011, 12:00 am
Updated: July 29, 2011, 5:02 pm
This article has been reviewed by the following Topic Editor:
Sidney Draggan Ph.D.NSF Awards Construction Funding to
National Ecological Observatory Network
Long-awaited, continent-wide network of
environmental observing sites gets off the ground
Scientists, policy-makers and others will soon have access to information critical to understanding the effects of environmental change across the North American continent, through the National Science Foundation (NSF)'s National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON). NSF has funded construction of the $434 million observatory with $12.5 million in fiscal year 2011 funds. The award highlights more than a decade of planning.
With a construction start in fiscal year 2011, NEON will detect the signals of environmental change as soon as fiscal year 2013.
NEON instruments may be deployed rapidly.
Credit: NEON, Inc.
NEON plans to build observing nodes in 24 states across the U.S., using cutting-edge technology that will gather and synthesize continental-scale data over 30 years on the effects of climate change, land-use change, and invasive species on natural resources and biodiversity. "The biosphere is one of the planet's most complex systems, with countless interactions with Earth's physical systems," says Joann Roskoski, NSF Acting Assistant Director for Biological Sciences. "The biosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere are all linked," Roskoski says. "But our limited understanding of the biosphere doesn't match our increasingly sophisticated understanding of Earth's physical systems."
Ecologists have long called for a national ecological research and observation capability to understand the biosphere at human scales, and to address the complex phenomena driving ecological change in real-time. "NEON will address this knowledge gap and transform our understanding of the biosphere," says Roskoski. "It will be the first experimental facility to collect consistent and standardized biological measurements nationwide in real-time."
The network consists of field and laboratory infrastructure distributed across the country and networked via cybertechnology. Together, it forms an integrated "research platform." NEON will provide the infrastructure to enable basic biological and ecological research, with scientists developing and using the latest technologies and sensors. NEON is designed to begin full science operations in 2017.
July 28, 2011
-NSF-
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National Science Foundation (Content Source);Sidney Draggan Ph.D. (Topic Editor) "National Ecological Observatory Network: Construction Funding". In: Encyclopedia of Earth. Eds. Cutler J. Cleveland (Washington, D.C.: Environmental Information Coalition, National Council for Science and the Environment). [First published in the Encyclopedia of Earth July 29, 2011; Last revised Date July 29, 2011; Retrieved May 23, 2013 <http://www.eoearth.org/article/National_Ecological_Observatory_Network:_Construction_Funding?topic=49515>
NSF Awards Construction Funding to
National Ecological Observatory Network
Long-awaited, continent-wide network of
environmental observing sites gets off the ground
Scientists, policy-makers and others will soon have access to information critical to understanding the effects of environmental change across the North American continent, through the National Science Foundation (NSF)'s National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON). NSF has funded construction of the $434 million observatory with $12.5 million in fiscal year 2011 funds. The award highlights more than a decade of planning.
With a construction start in fiscal year 2011, NEON will detect the signals of environmental change as soon as fiscal year 2013.
NEON instruments may be deployed rapidly.
Credit: NEON, Inc.
NEON plans to build observing nodes in 24 states across the U.S., using cutting-edge technology that will gather and synthesize continental-scale data over 30 years on the effects of climate change, land-use change, and invasive species on natural resources and biodiversity. "The biosphere is one of the planet's most complex systems, with countless interactions with Earth's physical systems," says Joann Roskoski, NSF Acting Assistant Director for Biological Sciences. "The biosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere are all linked," Roskoski says. "But our limited understanding of the biosphere doesn't match our increasingly sophisticated understanding of Earth's physical systems."
Ecologists have long called for a national ecological research and observation capability to understand the biosphere at human scales, and to address the complex phenomena driving ecological change in real-time. "NEON will address this knowledge gap and transform our understanding of the biosphere," says Roskoski. "It will be the first experimental facility to collect consistent and standardized biological measurements nationwide in real-time."
The network consists of field and laboratory infrastructure distributed across the country and networked via cybertechnology. Together, it forms an integrated "research platform." NEON will provide the infrastructure to enable basic biological and ecological research, with scientists developing and using the latest technologies and sensors. NEON is designed to begin full science operations in 2017.
July 28, 2011
-NSF-
Media Contacts
Related Websites
Editor's Note
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Yes, Delete This Article
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