Terrestrial Ecosystem Monitoring Sites (TEMS) Database, Géraud Servin and Aurélien Letourneau

TEMS provides information on
the "who, what and where" in long-term
terrestrial monitoring

DEVELOPMENTS

Major developments have been taking place since the initial web release of the Terrestrial Ecosystem Monitoring Sites (TEMS) database, in early 2001. There are now 47 networks and 1720 ecological research sites registered, which can be browsed by ecological zone (through interactive maps), by measurements made, and by networks, using both simple and advanced search engines.

CLIMATE DATA

Comprehensive information is available for each research site (see Box 1) and this information has been further supplemented with monthly estimates of climate data from the FAO global climate database. Each site now has estimates of daily minimum, mean and maximum temperatures (°C), total precipitation (mm), total potential evapotranspiration (mm), wind speed (m/s), water vapour pressure (hPa) and sunshine fraction.

ICP FOREST

Of the new sites registered in TEMS, 795 are part of IPC Forest (International Cooperative Programme on Assessment and Monitoring of Air Pollution Effects on Forests; see www.IPC-forests.org). These sites monitor forest condition across continental Europe, using two different monitoring intensity levels. All sites annually assess crown condition on a 16×16 km grid, and specific sites also measure soil condition and chemistry, foliar nutrient status, meteorological conditions, ground vegetation and air pollutant deposition. Currently, 38 countries participate in the ICP Forests programme.

NEW MODULES

Modules - which contain additional information around a particular topic - for Biodiversity, Forest and Hydrology have been created to allow users improved access to sites and information relevant to their interests.

• The forest module contains summary data from the FAO Forest Resources Assessments (FRAs) of 1980, 1990 and 2000 (including tables, graphs and maps), at pan-tropical, regional, subregional and sampling unit levels. They are based on sample and remote sensing data, and were used to complement country data and to provide consistent and reliable detailed information on change processes for 1980-1990.

• The biodiversity module contains information on data sources and institutional links, together with a literature and glossary section. Variables relevant to biodiversity are also included, including seven new biodiversity methodology sheets. Recently, efforts have been made to increase the number of data providers, and data sets are now organized by organisms or related variables, and according to geographical range. TEMS is developing links with biodiversity-relevant networks through a new GTOS initiative to improve monitoring of biodiversity loss (see pages 18).

• The hydrology module contains information on variables, data holders, institutional links and relevant literature (see page 28).

FUNCTIONAL IMPROVEMENTS

Considerable improvements have been made to TEMS functioning. Information can now be accessed more quickly, and files are easier to download (for example, as zipped files). Since version 2.2, TEMS has been available on mini-CD-ROM to provide users, especially in remote areas with poor or no Internet connection, with improved access to the TEMS database. Mini CD-ROMS are freely available from the GTOS Secretariat.

USER SURVEY

A comprehensive TEMS user survey was carried out in early 2002. Users and administrators were asked to comment on TEMS accessibility and utility, and to indicate areas for possible improvement. The survey concluded that TEMS contains useful information that can be easily accessed, but there was still a need for further information and facilitated data sharing, including access to satellite imagery. These and other recommendations are being used to guide future TEMS developments.

www.fao.org/gtos/tems