Research Resources

TERN are a field-based land observatory using sensors, surveys, and tools to produce data and analytics. We measure key terrestrial ecosystem attributes. Our team work to measure key terrestrial ecosystem attributes over a period of time, from continental scale to field sites at hundreds of representative locations. We openly provide researchers with model-ready data and research resources that provide them the opportunity to detect and interpret changes in our ecosystems.

We take pride in delivering only the highest of quality data, along with tools and expertise to researchers who are dedicating their time and expertise to understand Australia’s environment.

Icon of a satellite over Australia | Featured image for Land Observatory | TERN Ecosystem Field Research Observatory Landing Page.
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Research Resources: What we Offer

The findings of the annual state of environment report Australia offer imperative knowledge on the changing conditions within our natural resources and ecosystems. They’re developed strategically by ANU and enabled by TERN to bring you the latest and most in-depth overview of important biodiversity, eco and global topics. Find the state of the environment report Australia from 2023 and earlier here.

Beneficial for the research community, TERN provides digital tools including nationally consistent field methodologies as well as innovative applications for streamlined data collection, analysis, and presentation in ways that are complementary towards existing environmental approaches.

Our field sample library is a library of free access field samples collected and stored directly by the team at TERN. This includes tens of thousands of soil samples, soil metagenomic samples, plant voucher specimens, and plant genetic material. This is collected by our national network of over 850 ecosystem surveillance monitoring sites which are now openly available to interested and dedicated researchers.

For the Australian and international scientific communities, we provide TERN data, samples, and site-based research infrastructure. These are a collection of research papers that acknowledge TERN, along with the data and other resources that the publications provide. This source has enabled the publication of over 1000 peer-reviewed scientific journal articles or books.

When using our information, tools, and research resources, we ask that you acknowledge NCRIS-enabled TERN. This is because reporting on the use of digital assets and research infrastructure is a key performance indicator for us. When you acknowledge TERN the right way, it allows us to record the infrastructure that’s being used; helping us to continue to be funded enables us to deliver long term ecological monitoring data and samples.

Our research brochures offer a list of documents and resources provided and published by TERN with additional, useful information. These are accessible guides to ecosystem sciences and the underpinning research infrastructure. These brochures are specially designed for upper-secondary and early tertiary level students, filling the gap between technical textbooks that require prerequisite knowledge.

While TERN’s data and description of the methods and equipment utilized are primarily intended to be used in educational environments, they are naturally suited to being applied in environmental education classes. These environmental science teaching resources allow successful implementation of high-quality education in both online and face-to-face settings. They’re particularly useful as a supplement to field data collection.

If you’re looking for assistance or support, our TERN knowledge base is the place to find what you’re looking for. Search in the knowledge base or open a support ticket and send our team an email. We will get back to you as soon as possible while providing dedicated customer support services.

TERN encourages the sharing of data and knowledge for the benefit, long-term, of the research community. Data sharing should only occur within a framework where data contributors (such as TERN) receive the appropriate recognition and acknowledgement for their work, and where data users understand the required responsibilities that they take on when accessing and/or using other sources data.

Explore the TERN Research Resources Today!

For more related research resources, review the TERN website today to find in-depth and education-related information. With a wide variety of data and statistics, you have the opportunity to access and explore affiliated resources at your fingertips.