Twenty-eight research sites constitute the LTER Network at present

The geographic distribution of sites ranges from Alaska to Antarctica and from the Caribbean to French Polynesia. It includes agricultural lands, alpine tundra, barrier islands, coastal lagoons, cold and hot deserts, coral reefs, estuaries, forests, freshwater wetlands, grasslands, kelp forests, lakes, open ocean, savannas, streams and urban landscapes.

LTER network

LTER Network announcements

  • This webinar will introduce the NSF-funded Decomposition Across Dtylands (DeAD)project, which combines field experiments, long-term observations, remote sensing and hierarchical modeling to better understand dryland decomposition across scales. The post ILTER Webinar: Resolving and scaling litter decomposition controls from leaf to landscape appeared first on LTER.
  • The Invisible Impacts Symposium is a two-day virtual symposium exploring how social and ecological perspectives can come together to better understand long-term environmental change. Ecology has a rich tradition of long-term observation – decades of data on forests, watersheds, atmospheric chemistry, and biodiversity. At the same time, the social sciences and humanities offer powerful frameworks for… […]
  • All are welcome to contribute ideas and/or participate in the ILTER Spring 2026 Coordinating Committee teleconference, which will take place on Wednesday, April 29, from 12:00 to 14:00 UTC. The post Help shape the ILTER Open Science Conference! appeared first on LTER.
  • LIFE UNEARTHED with Ariel Waldman is a visually striking science-driven docu-series that reveals Earth’s ecosystems through radical shifts in scale—from microscopic wildlife to the planet’s most iconic species, and even the potential for life beyond Earth. Hosted by explorer Ariel Waldman, the series spans environments near and far, from the sweeping American Prairies to the alien… […]

LTER events

  • July 8, 2026 – 9:00 am-10:00 am (PT) | Are you a new graduate student, undergraduate, investigator, or staff member at an LTER site? After you get settled into your local site, join us to learn about the integrative science and opportunities that being part of a national network can open up. The LTER network […]
  • June 10, 2026 – 9:00 am-10:00 am (PT) | Evaluating ecological efficacy of climate adaptation actions can improve natural resource management Meagan Ford Oldfather PhD, USGS, North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center and Dr. Sarah Weiskopf USGS National Climate Adaptation Science Center Despite widespread recommendations for climate adaptation, there is little evidence supporting the efficacy […]
  • May 27, 2026 – 3:30 pm (PT) | For the final LTER Book Club of the Spring, there will be a special guest, science writer and geomorphologist (& LTER alum), Dillon Osleger will join the group to discuss his book, Trail Work: Restoring the Paths and Stories of America's Public Lands. LTER folks get a […]

LTER news

  • This webinar will introduce the NSF-funded Decomposition Across Dtylands (DeAD)project, which combines field experiments, long-term observations, remote sensing and hierarchical modeling to better understand dryland decomposition across scales. The post ILTER Webinar: Resolving and scaling litter decomposition controls from leaf to landscape appeared first on LTER.
  • now design lessons where students analyze real datasets, compare short-term and long-term trends, and consider how disruptions—such as wildfire or limited field access—can influence scientific conclusions. The post Lessons from Long-Term Data: An ARETs Experience at the H.J. Andrews LTER appeared first on LTER.
  • The Invisible Impacts Symposium is a two-day virtual symposium exploring how social and ecological perspectives can come together to better understand long-term environmental change. Ecology has a rich tradition of long-term observation – decades of data on forests, watersheds, atmospheric chemistry, and biodiversity. At the same time, the social sciences and humanities offer powerful frameworks for… […]
  • “Science and data collection doesn’t always have to have flashy gizmos and light speed computers… Methodology, consistency, simple tools and flexible minds are gold in the field. Get out there!” The post Clotheslines, Hair Ties, and Tape Measures: Low Tech Tools for the Win appeared first on LTER.
  • Sometimes, the best way to understand an ecosystem is simply to stop and listen. The post Voices of the Forest: Frog Bio-acoustics in the LUQ-LTER appeared first on LTER.
  • All are welcome to contribute ideas and/or participate in the ILTER Spring 2026 Coordinating Committee teleconference, which will take place on Wednesday, April 29, from 12:00 to 14:00 UTC. The post Help shape the ILTER Open Science Conference! appeared first on LTER.