PARENT SESSION
Special Session 10: Building an ecological observatory network for regional- to continental-scale research—NEON, the National Ecological Observatory Network
Organized by: J Goldman and B Hayden
Wednesday, August 10, 8:00 AM - 11:30 AM, Exhibit Hall 210a-e, Level 2, Palais des congrès de Montréal

The National Ecological Observatory Network: Past, present and future.

Hayden, Bruce¹, ¹ Univ. of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia

ABSTRACT- Projects of the dimension of NEON take a decade or more to mature from the genesis of the idea (1997) to the start of construction (2006). The vision of a network of ecological observatories has been tested in vigorous discussions and has evolved. Community building for the NEON concept accelerated with an NSF award to American Institute of Biological Sciences known as the Infrastructure for Biology at Regional to Continental Scale (IBRCS) led by Jeffery Goldman. An assessment of the NEON concept by the National Research Council put in place the scientific framework needed for NEON advancement. Resources for NEON planning and design (2004-2006) will culminate in a baseline design and a project execution plan. Following construction, a planned 30-year period of operations and research funding will begin.

Key words: ecological observatories, NEON