Infrastructure and User Services
LTER-LIFE supports shared and integrated ecological research - towards the building of digital twins of ecosystems. In a digital twin of an ecosystem all knowledge, data and models on that ecosystem come together. This requires bringing together the people that know about the ecosystem, creating access to the data and models on that ecosystem and providing technological tools to connect these components.
- LTER-LIFE supports the forming of regional research communities, where researchers meet across subdisciplines (e.g., hydrology, plantecology, animal ecology, atmospheric sciences). These communities foster the exchange of knowledge, expertise and experimental opportunities.
- LTER-LIFE develops tools to share, FAIRify and access data and models. This includes specific training materials for sharing legacy data according to FAIR principles and motivating researchers to make use of existing repositories.
- LTER-LIFE provides access to virtual laboratories where constructing a digital twin is supported by a wide array of tools and a philosophy of modularity.
- LTER-LIFE helps researchers navigate the educational landscape to find the courses that they need to work with the various digital tools. LTER-LIFE provides specific training material that is missing. LTER-LIFE will integrate the use of the LTER-LIFE infrastructure in relevant academic curricula.
Examples/description of the type of research
LTER-LIFE will facilitate the digital twinning of ecosystems. Digital twins allow researchers to
- Share and gain access to data and analyses about a specific ecosystem – both with scientists and field experts (e.g. landscape management, farmers, governments)
- Perform and share integrated analyses across subdisciplines.
- Provide integrated policy and decision support.
How to access the infrastructure
Most access will be through the virtual environment. Through LTER-LIFE.nl researchers can search for data and models, access their virtual laboratories and find appropriate training materials. Together with LTER-NL LTER-LIFE will support site-specific communities including in-person meetings.
