TITLE:    Palmer Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER): an Overview of the
          1991-1992 Season
AUTHOR:   Robin M Ross, Langdon B Quetin
Palmer LTER Contribution #03

Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) recognizes that some ecological phenomena
occur on time scales of decades or centuries, and that investigations on these
time scales are not routinely supported by funding agencies.  Without an
understanding of interannual variability over the long term, interpretation of
ecological experiments and distinguishing long-term trends from cyclic changes
in natural ecosystems is difficult.  The LTER Network, sponsored by the
National Science Foundation, has grown during the last decade to a total of
eighteen sites in ecosystems ranging from tall grass prairies to tundra.  To
facilitate comparison and the ability to construct ecological generalities,
all sites are required to set up research efforts in five core areas:
 o pattern and control of primary production;
 o spatial and temporal distribution of populations representing trophic
structures;
 o pattern and control of organic matter accumulation;
 o pattern of inorganic inputs and movements of nutrients; and
 o pattern and frequency of disturbance to the research site