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 NEON science mission.

MacMahon, James^*,,

ABSTRACT- Over 150 scientists collaborated to develop a science plan for NEON. The plan addresses six of the Environmental Grand Challenges in the National Research Council evaluation of NEON, including Biodiversity, Biogeochemical Climate Change. A seventh category, Hydroecology, was added. A series of specific scientific questions was developed from these broad categories. Each of the specific questions was examined to see if they met most of the following criteria. Will the research transform the way we do our science? Does study of the question require the unique attributes of a NEON-like facility? Will the research permit us to make predictions/forecasts about the future states or processes in ecological systems? Will this information be important to society? And, importantly, will this research move our understanding of ecological systems forward? This presentation will elucidate the final set of questions and discuss how research conducted to elucidate these questions is relevant to the science of ecology and useful to human beings.

Key words: neon, science plan