RCN and GLEON

The RCN is a 5-year, NSF-funded activity of GLEON that promotes the strategic development of GLEON. This RCN is based on the premise that ecological sensor networks are generating unprecedented quantities of high-frequency observations over multiple spatial and temporal scales. The variety and relatively low cost of many sensors, along with recent advancements in wireless communication, have made the development of sensor networks feasible for research programs of even modest size. However, new science based on these new observations is in its nascent stages. Development of models and formulation of questions that exploit the rich information content of sensor data in many cases have not kept pace with advancements in observation technologies.

To address this growing technology-induced gap, we are expanding ecological discussion and transfer of ideas among ecologists and information technologists. Integration across these areas is extremely difficult for traditional small research teams, because few have all of the expertise required. This level of research coordination requires a collection of scientific expertise, models, and information technology that is typically scattered among disparate research programs in different fields. These are challenges for all sub-disciplines of ecology.

The lake ecological community is well-poised to address these challenges because wireless sensor technologies that measure key lake variables and processes are being developed and/or deployed independently by many small research groups worldwide. We are bringing together lake ecologists and information technology experts to accelerate the rate at which new technologies are integrated with questions and models to increase understanding of lake dynamics at local to global scales.

As a GLEON project, the RCN shares many of the same goals as GLEON, which include: (a) developing an international network of lake ecologists and information technologists; (b) advancing science and technology; (c) articulating the needs of the scientific community; (d) broadening the scope of participation to include ethnic diversity across a range of career stages, including undergraduate and graduate students. GLEON and the RCN represent a grass-roots effort of lake ecologists and information technologists, all of whom bring ideas and assets into the group to work toward the common goals.

RCN Proposal to NSF

26 June 2006

2008 RCN Annual Report to NSF
24 February 2008

2009 RCN Annual Report to NSF
24 February 2009