A Use Case Approach to Integrate Ecological Research Networks and Infrastructures to Advance Macrosystem Science

We explore how the Global Ecosystem Research Infrastructure (GERI) proposes a pathway for other Networks and Networks-of-Networks (NoNs) can work together and accelerate collaborations and data harmonization to address global environmental challenges. Recognizing that contemporary environmental issues transcend geopolitical boundaries, we advocate for collaborative frameworks that integrate top-down structured ecosystems research infrastructures (ERIs) with bottom-up environmental networks (ENs). We highlight the unique characteristics of ERIs, including their long-term data collection capabilities and structured governance, in contrast to the flexible and innovative nature of ENs. We address the technical and organizational barriers that hinder effective collaboration and data sharing among these entities and draw upon two use cases: ecological drought; and the integration of Mexican ENs into a NoNs framework. ecological drought; and the integration of Mexican ENs into a NoNs framework. Through workshops and strategic leadership tools, we established a shared understanding and collective identity among these diverse stakeholders, and fosteri sustainable organizational practices and enhance global environmental observations. Our findings underscore the importance of addressing cultural dynamics and building mutual trust to ensure the long-term sustainability of collaborative efforts in ecological research and data integration. Together top-down ERIs that support standardized and long-term observational continuity, and bottom-up ENs that introduce new perspectives and data types, provide the complementarity to support the data and human capital required to address the Grand Challenges of global environmental change.

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Publication Details

Journal
ARPHA Conference Abstracts
Published
2025-06-02
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3897/aca.8.e158965
Primary Topic
Species Distribution and Climate Change
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

A Use Case Approach to Integrate Ecological Research Networks and Infrastructures to Advance Macrosystem Science

Beryl Morris, Isabel Ceron Castano, Melissa López Portillo Purata, Siddeswara Guru et al.
ARPHA Conference Abstracts
Species Distribution and Climate Change
article

A Use Case Approach to Integrate Ecological Research Networks and Infrastructures to Advance Macrosystem Science

Beryl Morris, Isabel Ceron Castano, Melissa López Portillo Purata, Siddeswara Guru, Jaana Bäck, Mónica Cervantes‐Jiménez, Paula Mabee, Tyson L. Swetnam, Lilit Pogosyan, Miguel Ballesteros, Luciana Porter‐Bolland, Michael Mirtl, Henry Loescher, Thomas G. Bornman, Christine Laney, Enrico A. Yépez, Eduardo Becerra-Torres, Nirav Merchant, Rodrigo Vargas, Gregor Feig, Benjamin L. Ruddell, Elisabeth Huber‐Sannwald, K. B. Deshpande, Samuel Villarreal, Cedric Hagen, Alison Specht, Michael Sanclements, Pamela Sullivan, Steffen Zacharias, Augusto Kahler González, Claudio D’Onofrio, Blanca Lucía Prado Pano, Elisa Girola, Susana Alvarado Barrientos, Carolina Avilés Junco
article en

Abstract

We explore how the Global Ecosystem Research Infrastructure (GERI) proposes a pathway for other Networks and Networks-of-Networks (NoNs) can work together and accelerate collaborations and data harmonization to address global environmental challenges. Recognizing that contemporary environmental issues transcend geopolitical boundaries, we advocate for collaborative frameworks that integrate top-down structured ecosystems research infrastructures (ERIs) with bottom-up environmental networks (ENs). We highlight the unique characteristics of ERIs, including their long-term data collection capabilities and structured governance, in contrast to the flexible and innovative nature of ENs. We address the technical and organizational barriers that hinder effective collaboration and data sharing among these entities and draw upon two use cases: ecological drought; and the integration of Mexican ENs into a NoNs framework. ecological drought; and the integration of Mexican ENs into a NoNs framework. Through workshops and strategic leadership tools, we established a shared understanding and collective identity among these diverse stakeholders, and fosteri sustainable organizational practices and enhance global environmental observations. Our findings underscore the importance of addressing cultural dynamics and building mutual trust to ensure the long-term sustainability of collaborative efforts in ecological research and data integration. Together top-down ERIs that support standardized and long-term observational continuity, and bottom-up ENs that introduce new perspectives and data types, provide the complementarity to support the data and human capital required to address the Grand Challenges of global environmental change.

ARPHA Conference AbstractsVol. 8
Oregon State University (US), University of Helsinki (FI), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (BE), Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (DE), University of Arizona (US), Institute for Scientific and Technological Research (MX), Autonomous University of Queretaro (MX), The University of Queensland (AU), Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research (US), Lund University (SE), University of Colorado Boulder (US), Northern Arizona University (US), Rhodes University (ZA), National Ecological Observatory Network (US), Sonora Institute of Technology (MX), Centro de Investigación en Materiales Avanzados (MX), Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network (AU), South African Environmental Observation Network (ZA), Instituto de Ecología (MX), Arizona State University (US), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (MX), Nelson Mandela University (ZA)
National Science Foundation, Battelle
Openalex Percentile: Top 74%
Species Distribution and Climate Change
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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