TERN is Australia's Ecosystem Observatory
TERN provides world-class research infrastructure to monitor and understand changes to our environment and climate and enable predictions of future risks.
More results...
About TERN
TERN measures key terrestrial ecosystem attributes over time from continental scale to field sites at hundreds of representative locations and openly provides environmental monitoring and assessment model-ready data that enable those undertaking environment and ecology research to detect and interpret changes in ecosystems.
Data Discovery Portal
Discover, access and reuse datasets derived from TERN observatory measured by systematic site-surveys, remote-sensing, model-derived and in-situ sensors.
OPEN DATA
- Continental-scale gridded remote sensing, soil and landscape products
- Plot-based soil and vegetation surveillance monitoring data
- Aggregated state government survey data
- Calibration and validation data for remote sensing
- Time series flux tower, phenocam and acoustic monitoring sensor data
DATA
INFRASTRUCTURE
- Cloud-based virtual desktop to run and share experiments (CoESRA)
- Data submission, harmonisation and retrieval of ecological data (SHaRED)
- Discovery, mapping and analysis of landscape-scale ecosystem datasets (Data Visualiser)
- Cloud-based analysis, synthesis and training platform
STANDARD METHODS, PROTOCOLS & COLLECTIONS
- Catalogued plant and soil sample collection
- Nationally consistent field methods
- Guidelines for calibration and validation of remotely-sensed data
- Field data collection apps
SITE-BASED INSTRUMENTS & MONITORING
- Eddy covariance flux towers
- Heat flux plates
- Radiometers
- Anemometers
- Infrared Gas Analysers
- Spectrometers
- CosmOz soil moisture meters
- Groundwater bores
- Ecoacoustic sensors
- Phenocams
- Terrestrial laser scanners
- UAV/drones
- Camera traps
- Photopoints and more
WE HAVE MORE THAN:
observing sites
collections
international partners
using TERN data
for datasets
samples
Latest News
Director’s Update, December 2025
Dear Colleagues,I am delighted to share that our 2026 TERN Webinar Series will commence on 4 February with a session exploring one of Australia’s least understood and most fascinating ecosystems
Why ecosystem research infrastructure matters for Australia
TERN’s research infrastructure underpins some of Australia’s most important environmental
Forest Art Intelligence: a unique synthesis of experimental art, ecological science, and environmental education
The Forest Art Intelligence project is a unique art-science initiative
A First Glimpse into the Next Decade: 300+ Questions from Australia’s Ecosystem Researchers
A first look at the TERN Research Directions 2025–2035 Survey.
Upcoming Events
ResBaz Queensland 2026
Save the date for ResBaz Queensland 2026! Hosted by the QUT, it will be a 3-day festival of digital research training, where researchers from all disciplines can come together to
The 19th International Society of Ethnobiology (ISE) Congress 2026
The International Society of Ethnobiology (ISE), founded in 1988, is a global network focused on preserving the links between human societies and the natural world. It provides a unique platform
If have a question for TERN, you can call us on 07 3365 9097, email the Engagement team at tern@uq.edu.au, or submit your enquiry online.
Get the TERN Newsletter
Project updates, data releases, research findings, and users stories direct to your inbox.