National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON)
SYNOPSIS
Project Description
The National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) is a continental scale research instrument consisting of geographically distributed infrastructure, networked via state-of-the-art communications. Cutting-edge lab and field instrumentation, site-based experimental infrastructure, natural history archive facilities and/or computational, analytical and modeling capabilities, linked via a computational network will comprise NEON.
NEON will transform ecological research by enabling studies on major environmental challenges at regional to continental scales. Scientists and engineers will use NEON to conduct real-time ecological studies spanning all levels of biological organization and temporal and geographical scales. NSF disciplinary and multi-disciplinary programs will support NEON research projects and educational activities. Data from standard measurements made using NEON will be publicly available.
Principal Scientific Goals
NEON will provide nationally networked research, communication, and informatics infrastructure for collaborative, comprehensive and interdisciplinary measurements and experiments on ecological systems. NEON’s synthesis, computation, and visualization infrastructure will create a virtual laboratory that will permit the development of a predictive understanding of the direct effects and feedbacks between environmental change and biological processes.
Principal Education Goals
NEON will be a platform for experiential learning and biosphere literacy. NEON will create innovative learning environments and pathways for K-20 students and foster integration of research and education through institutional and multi-institutional networking, partnerships, alliances, and collaborations. NEON’s research and communication infrastructure will enable public dialog, education of policy and management decision makers, and the development of workforce skills and life-long career opportunities. NEON will forge new disciplinary alliances and push interdisciplinary scientific, information, and technological frontiers, and thus will create education and training opportunities leading to new career paths.
Current Status
In September 2004, a two-year award was made to the American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) to set up a NEON Coordinating Consortium (NCC) and NEON Project Office to develop a blueprint for the network and a plan for its implementation. Bruce Hayden, an ecologist at the University of Virginia and principal investigator for the project will direct the NEON project office at the AIBS headquarters in Washington, D.C.
NSF Contact Information
Dr. Elizabeth Blood, Program Director, Division of Biological Infrastructure, 703-292-8470, eblood@nsf.gov.
Related Web Sites
NEON Home Page - http://www.neoninc.org/
AIBS Web Site - http://ibrcs.aibs.org/core/index.asp
RELATED PROGRAMS
Environmental Cyberinfrastructure
RELATED URLS
Archived Webcast of NEON Prospective PI Meeting
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