The Experience of Long Term Ecological Research Network in Taiwan Yue-joe Hsia [1] Hen-biau King [2] Ming-shiung Lin [3 ] [1] [2] [3 ] [1] [1] Institute of Nature Resources, National Donghwa Univ. Hualien [2] [2] Taiwan Forestry Research Institute, Taipei [3] [3] Division of Biological Science, National Science Council, Taipei

Principal objective of the TERN program To understand long-term ecological phenomena and processes within Taiwan ’ s dominant ecosystems.

 TERN ’ s major concern is to gather baseline data on the productivity, diversity, structure, and function/process of Taiwan ’ s major ecological systems.  The program focuses on the long-term impacts of major disturbances (such as natural erosion, typhoon, monsoon, pollution and land use, etc.) at the research sites.

objectives 1) Understanding, processes and mechanisms of ecosystem dynamics; 2) Studying the major natural and human disturbances which affect ecosystem dynamics and ecosystem responses; 3) Identifying ecological processes to address environmental changes;

objectives 4) Sharing research ideas and base-line data with scientists from other ecological sites through meetings and international networking; and 5) Promoting collaborative research projects with scientists from other ecological sites, particularly sites with similar ecological settings;

objectives 6) Providing science-based information to decision makers in formulating environmental policy; 7) Training young scientists in ecology and using the long-term sites as resources for education; 8) Incorporating research results into ecology curriculums at all levels of education, particularly in the field of subtropical forest ecology.

How did TERN start ?

Lesson from the past: A series of experiments at the TFRI experimental forest watersheds Questions: The effects of logging on hydrological regimes and stream water chemistry

 Extended research topics ﹕  Hydrological processes and nutrient budget of natural hardwood forest and plantations

Lessons learned: Needs Long term baseline monitoring Steady budget and research manpower universities research institutes management agencies NSC

Fushan LTER site Research focus: The effect of acid deposition on forest ecosystem - regional scale question Regeneration mechanism of natural evergreen hardwood forest at low and middle altitude in Taiwan – a local scale or stand level question

Positive Decisions of US/LTER  Single agency core funding for LTER;  All new money for LTER;  Single program officer responsibility for LTER;  Close interaction between the NSF and projects;  Callanhan, J.T Long-term Ecological Research in the United States: A Federal Perspective

Positive Decisions of US/LTER  Pre-defined core areas for organizing proposals;  Separate support for most co-ordination efforts;  Efforts to broaden the LTER-affiliated community.  Callanhan, J.T Long-term Ecological Research in the United States: A Federal Perspective

TERN 2000 research themes:  Effect of disturbances (typhoon, monsoon, and fire) on terrestrial ecosystems  Cross sites comparison on nutrient budget and decomposition  Plant － Animal interactions  Measurement and estimation of NPP

Difficulties of US/LTER  Lack of formal organizational structure caused the slower rate of interproject collaboration  Need for the adoption of standards of performance with regard to some types of data, and especially with regard to how and in what formats the data are  Callanhan, J.T Long-term Ecological Research in the United States: A Federal Perspective maintained

Improvement needed for TERN  Lacking large spatial scale projects;  Lacking lead scientists to undertake synthesis of ecological data;  Needs in establishment of a framework for ecological data archive;  Needs to integrate short-term research with TERN;  Needs to promote collaborative and comparative research across sites and among other national and international research programs.

Progress  promotions of LTER concept to some governmental organizations, press media, and public through various means  additional LTER sites will be established in the National Park system  a coastal coral reef site at Kengting National Park  a river gorge site at the Taroko National Park