The LTER (Long-Term Ecological Research) is a network of sites, on a large spatial scale, where long-term ecological research is practiced, with the main objectives of monitoring and storing relevant data in ecology, establishing links among institutions and researchers and promote the exchange of data and knowledge.
This organized network of LTER sites first appeared in the United States of America in the 1980s. In 1993 an international network was developed (ILTER) and, more recently, the European network of LTER sites was created. In 2011 the European network includes 22 countries represented through the corresponding national LTER networks. The LTER sites can be accessed through networks with different levels of integration: ILTER (the International LTER network), eLTER (the European LTER network) and LTER US (United States LTER network).
LTER Portugal offers access to four Portuguese Long-Term Ecological Research Sites which are integrated into PORBIOTA through the National Roadmap for Research Infrastructures of Strategic Interest (RNIE).
Each research site aims to monitor and store data relevant to ecology, establish links between institutions and researchers, and promote the exchange of data and knowledge. Are they:
For more information about the European LTER network see at eLTER online booth and eLTER RI