Understanding the breadth and depth of long-term ecological data collection in Canada and the United States

While several formal long-term ecological monitoring or research networks have been established, efforts are undertaken by many different organizations, leaving little understanding on the breadth of taxa captured or the length of data being collected across Canada and the U.S. We compiled information on long-term ecological efforts using known formal networks, conference abstracts, a literature search, an online survey, and federal and state agency data records. Of the 590 efforts identified, 175 were in Canada and 418 were in the U.S. Most (62%) were species-focused, with only 38% taking a whole ecosystem approach. Of the 365 efforts that were on species, 23%, 23%, 21%, 17%, and 15% focused on birds, fish, mammals, herpetofauna, and plants, respectively. Efforts averaged 21 (max = 157) years in length. Qualitatively, efforts seemed to be well distributed across the U.S., with some concentration of effort in coastal areas and the Great Lakes region. While singular taxonomic efforts were sparse across central Canada, regional and continental efforts provided vast coverage for some fauna such as birds, and coastal waters were well monitored by several agencies. Our work supports the idea that long-term ecological efforts have clear value given how numerous they are.