Survey Summary

LTER Cyberinfrastructure Assessment Survey - February 2007.

This survey was designed to assess the current state and cyberinfrastructure (CI) needs of the LTER Network. The survey is an update of the 2005 CI assessment survey. Components of the survey were developed by the LTER CI Team to cover specific topic areas and updated based on results of an information management workshop held at the 2006 LTER All Scientists meeting. The survey is designed to assess the LTER Network as a whole. Although individual site information is gathered, all results are pooled. Note that the term "Site" is often used loosely to refer to the LTER site program itself, or in other instances, depending on context, to the physical research site itself.

LTER Site Name and survey user

1. What LTER Site do you represent? Please select the LTER site acronym:

Response Percent

Response Total

AND

3.8%

ARC

3.8%

BES

3.8%

BNZ

3.8%

CAP

3.8%

CCE

3.8%

CDR

3.8%

CWT

3.8%

FCE

3.8%

GCE

3.8%

HFR

3.8%

HBR

3.8%

JRN

3.8%

KBS

3.8%

KNZ

3.8%

LUQ

3.8%

MCM

3.8%

MCR

3.8%

NWT

3.8%

NTL

3.8%

PAL

3.8%

PIE

3.8%

SBC

3.8%

SEV

3.8%

SGS

3.8%

VCR

3.8%

Total Respondents

(skipped this question)

2. Please enter any of the LTER roles, duties, committee affiliations of the PRIMARY information management personnel at your site:

Response Percent

Response Total

LTER Site Principal Investigator (i.e. is a signatory PI on LTER grant)

15.4%

LTER Research Scientist

30.8%

LTER Site Manager

19.2%

LTER Site Administrator

11.5%

LTER Climate Committee

23.1%

LTER Technology Committee Representative

26.9%

LTER Network Information System Advisory Committee

23.1%

LTER Education Committee Representative

Other (please specify)

46.2%

Total Respondents

(skipped this question)

OTHER:

Please enter any of the LTER roles, duties, committee affiliations of the PRIMARY information management personnel at your site:

1.	IMExec
2.	LTER IM Executive Committee
3.	none
4.	none of these
5.	IM exec
6.	Other Professional
7.	Science Council, Executive Board
8.	Dedicated information manager
9.	none of the above
10.	social science representative
11.	Information Management
12.	social science rep

3. What position(s) most closely matches the general job functions of the PRIMARY information management personnel at your site? (select any/all that apply)

Response Percent

Response Total

Student

3.8%

Technician

19.2%

System Administrator

50%

Network Administrator

30.8%

Software Developer

57.7%

Webmaster

88.5%

Spatial Data Manager/Analyst

53.8%

Database Administrator

76.9%

Research Assistant

19.2%

IT Professional

34.6%

Researcher

38.5%

Scientist

34.6%

University instructor/lecturer

University Professor (any level)

15.4%

Other (please specify)

11.5%

Total Respondents

(skipped this question)

OTHER:

Please enter any of the LTER roles, duties, committee affiliations of the PRIMARY information management personnel at your site:

1.	IMExec
2.	LTER IM Executive Committee
3.	none
4.	none of these
5.	IM exec
6.	Other Professional
7.	Science Council, Executive Board
8.	Dedicated information manager
9.	none of the above
10.	social science representative

3. General data/information management infrastructure

4. How many full time positions (FTE's) does your site CURRENTLY allocate for ALL information management (all types including data entry from technicians, data management specialists, web designers etc.) at your site? This will include all funding sources. LTER funding from NSF, supplements, other NSF grants, partnerships, cost share etc.

Response Percent

Response Total

0.0

0.25

0.50

3.8%

0.75

1.00

19.2%

1.25

7.7%

1.50

7.7%

1.75

3.8%

2.00

19.2%

2.25

2.50

3.8%

2.75

3.8%

3.00

7.7%

3.25

3.50

7.7%

3.75

3.8%

4.00

4.25

4.50

4.75

5.00

3.8%

5.25

5.50

5.75

6.00

6.25

6.50

6.75

7.00

7.25

7.50

7.75

8.00

3.8%

8.25

8.50

8.75

9.00

9.25

9.50

9.75

10.0

3.8%

>10.0

Total Respondents

(skipped this question)

5. How many full time positions (FTE's) does your site allocate for information management from the LTER funding from NSF, including supplements? The amount here, when subtracted from the total in the previous question should equal the number of FTE's who are funded from OTHER sources (other grants, cost-share etc).

Response Percent

Response Total

0.0

0.25

3.8%

0.50

3.8%

0.75

1.00

30.8%

1.25

11.5%

1.50

15.4%

1.75

7.7%

2.00

11.5%

2.25

3.8%

2.50

3.8%

2.75

3.00

3.8%

3.25

3.50

3.75

4.00

4.25

4.50

4.75

5.00

5.25

5.50

3.8%

5.75

6.00

6.25

6.50

6.75

7.00

7.25

7.50

7.75

8.00

8.25

8.50

8.75

9.00

9.25

9.50

9.75

10.0

>10.0

Total Respondents

(skipped this question)

6. Please indicate the type of background and training of the PRIMARY site information management personnel. "Formal training" means coursework or certification.

High

Medium

Low

Response Total

Formal training or education in computer science.

15% (4)

46% (12)

38% (10)

Acquired (on the job training) computer science training.

46% (12)

50% (13)

4% (1)

Formal training or education in data management/database software.

8% (2)

35% (9)

58% (15)

Acquired (on the job training) in data management/database software.

54% (14)

46% (12)

0% (0)

Formal Ecological/Biological Science training or education.

77% (20)

12% (3)

Acquired (on the job training) in Ecological/Biological Science.

50% (13)

42% (11)

8% (2)

Formal GIS/Remote Sensing training or education.

35% (9)

27% (7)

38% (10)

Acquired (on the job training) in GIS/Remote Sensing.

35% (9)

54% (14)

12% (3)

Social Science or education.

4% (1)

27% (7)

69% (18)

Acquired (on the job training) in Social Science or education.

15% (4)

19% (5)

65% (17)

Total Respondents

(skipped this question)

7. Please RANK the following information management task areas, in order of effort at your site. The ranking should start with #1 being where you spend the most effort to #10 being where you spend the least effort. NOTE: You do NOT have two select all items if they don't apply. NO TWO can have equal importance - you have to decide...

1 (most effort)

10 (least effort)

Response Average

General site data management including database development, data entry, providing data, archive and backup.

62% (16)

19% (5)

15% (4)

0% (0)

4% (1)

0% (0)

1.65

Web design, maintenance and update.

8% (2)

23% (6)

19% (5)

31% (8)

4% (1)

8% (2)

4% (1)

0% (0)

4% (1)

0% (0)

3.62

Software development (writing scripts and code).

17% (4)

13% (3)

26% (6)

13% (3)

4% (1)

9% (2)

4% (1)

0% (0)

9% (2)

4.04

Metadata generation - creation, update, registration, harvesting.

0% (0)

23% (6)

19% (5)

23% (6)

4% (1)

0% (0)

3.92

Information Management directly related to Network-level and cross-site research.

8% (2)

4% (1)

12% (3)

33% (8)

8% (2)

17% (4)

8% (2)

0% (0)

5.75

Site system administration - site-based hardware and network support.

0% (0)

4% (1)

8% (2)

21% (5)

0% (0)

8% (2)

25% (6)

8% (2)

17% (4)

8% (2)

6.42

User SYSTEM support - hardware help and support for site personnel.

0% (0)

4% (1)

0% (0)

22% (5)

0% (0)

22% (5)

9% (2)

7.26

General user support - non-hardware related help for site personnel such as answering software related questions, study design, statistics, modeling etc.

4% (1)

8% (2)

0% (0)

20% (5)

16% (4)

8% (2)

20% (5)

8% (2)

6.08

Site administration tasks (filling out paperwork, ordering supplies, doing hardware inventory etc).

0% (0)

17% (4)

4% (1)

8% (2)

17% (4)

29% (7)

25% (6)

8.13

Other tasks not included in the above.

0% (0)

6% (1)

0% (0)

12% (2)

0% (0)

19% (3)

0% (0)

12% (2)

31% (5)

7.31

Total Respondents

(skipped this question)

8. What type of training would be most useful at your site? Please rank the following in order of need or importance. Note: No two items can have the same rank, but DO NOT SELECT ITEMS THAT ARE UNIMPORTANT.

1 Most important

10 - Least needed

Response Average

Database management systems.

24% (5)

29% (6)

14% (3)

10% (2)

0% (0)

10% (2)

0% (0)

5% (1)

3.24

Metadata, EML and EML implementation.

25% (5)

15% (3)

20% (4)

15% (3)

10% (2)

0% (0)

3.15

Spatial data/GIS.

5% (1)

21% (4)

26% (5)

0% (0)

11% (2)

16% (3)

11% (2)

0% (0)

5% (1)

4.95

Use of advance technology including new sensors.

25% (5)

20% (4)

10% (2)

0% (0)

35% (7)

0% (0)

5% (1)

0% (0)

3.45

Wireless data transmission.

5% (1)

10% (2)

5% (1)

25% (5)

5% (1)

35% (7)

5% (1)

0% (0)

4.95

Programming and script writing.

10% (2)

24% (5)

10% (2)

19% (4)

5% (1)

10% (2)

5% (1)

10% (2)

0% (0)

4.38

Personnel management.

0% (0)

9% (1)

0% (0)

9% (1)

18% (2)

45% (5)

8.73

Proposal writing and preparation.

0% (0)

25% (3)

0% (0)

8% (1)

25% (3)

8% (1)

25% (3)

0% (0)

8% (1)

6.08

Scientific publication.

0% (0)

9% (1)

0% (0)

9% (1)

18% (2)

0% (0)

45% (5)

9% (1)

7.45

Web design, implementation.

11% (2)

21% (4)

16% (3)

5% (1)

16% (3)

11% (2)

0% (0)

5% (1)

4.63

Total Respondents

(skipped this question)

9. What major information management support, and level, is provided by the home/host institution(s) of your site rather than what your site provides for its own use? Select any that apply.

Very Little

Some

Most

Response Average

Email (use the home institution's email system rather than one supported primarily by the site)

4% (1)

12% (3)

85% (22)

2.81

Database (use the institution's database system)

81% (21)

15% (4)

4% (1)

1.23

Web servers (use the institutions web servers)

81% (21)

12% (3)

8% (2)

1.27

Computational Infrastructure (use the institution's computational infrastructure for analysis, statistics, modeling, etc. rather than the site's own infrastructure)

62% (16)

35% (9)

4% (1)

1.42

Network infrastructure support is provided by the home institution.

8% (2)

19% (5)

73% (19)

2.65

System administration is provided by the home institution

38% (10)

62% (16)

0% (0)

1.62

Technical support is provided by the institution

23% (6)

73% (19)

4% (1)

1.81

Institutional (site) software licensing or educational discount

12% (3)

35% (9)

54% (14)

2.42

Total Respondents

(skipped this question)

10. What type of collaboration tools are used at your site (select all that apply, and enter any other not listed here)?

Response Percent

Response Total

Regularly scheduled meetings.

80.8%

Common filesharing is used (such as a shared file system for users at the site).

80.8%

Email list servers.

69.2%

Telephone conferencing

61.5%

Video conferencing.

34.6%

Web tools for scheduling equipment, meeting rooms etc.

38.5%

Web Calendars.

46.2%

IM Chat (please include what type in "other" below).

23.1%

Collaborative web tools such as Wiki.

26.9%

Other (please describe)

19.2%

Total Respondents

(skipped this question)

OTHER:

What type of collaboration tools are used at your site (select all that apply, and enter any other not listed here)?

1.	aol and yahoo im
2.	irc
3.	Yahoo and skype
4.	IM chat is used infrequently for eml_dev (EML development discussion)
5.	Web based bulletin board software (Discus)

11. What type of collaborative cyberinfrastructure / information management partnerships (outside of LTER) is your site engaged in?

Response Percent

Response Total

The site maintains an active collaboration with high performance computer centers (SDSC, NCSA, etc).

26.1%

Collaborations with the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (NCEAS).

30.4%

Collaborations with Forest Service or USDA

34.8%

Collaborations with the National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP)

39.1%

The site maintains an active collaboration with NASA archive centers.

13%

Collaboration with NASA researchers and research centers.

17.4%

The site maintains an active collaboration with local or national USGS centers such as NBII.

43.5%

Collaborations with the Ameriflux or Fluxnet Network.

13%

Other (please describe)

43.5%

Total Respondents

(skipped this question)

OTHER:

What type of collaborative cyberinfrastructure / information management partnerships (outside of LTER) is your site engaged in?

1.	Taiwan Ecological Research Network
2.	Past partnerships with SDSC & NBII, but not at this time.
3.	SCCOOS (Southern Cal Coastal Observing System) SPOT (SystÃ¨me Pour l'Observation de la Terre) PISCO (Partnernship for Interdisiplinary studies in Coastal Oceans)
4.	most local agencies, ADEQ, ADWR, etc.
5.	The Evergreen State College, Databank Project
6.	WiscView is part of America View Network
7.	None
8.	social science and domain communities
9.	CREON http://www.coralreefeon.org/
10.	social science, domain communities

4. Site metadata and EML implementation.

12. What percentage of all site data has corresponding structured METADATA OF ANY TYPE, including EML?

Response Percent

Response Total

3.8%

11.5%

23.1%

100

61.5%

Total Respondents

(skipped this question)

13. What percent of all site metadata has been converted to EML to at least the "identification" (base) level?

Response Percent

Response Total

3.8%

7.7%

19.2%

100

57.7%

Total Respondents

(skipped this question)

14. What percent of all site metadata has been converted to EML to the "discovery" level or beyond?

Response Percent

Response Total

3.8%

7.7%

11.5%

7.7%

15.4%

100

53.8%

Total Respondents

(skipped this question)

15. What percent of all site metadata has been converted to EML to the "integration" level or beyond?

Response Percent

Response Total

7.7%

15.4%

3.8%

7.7%

3.8%

7.7%

15.4%

100

19.2%

Total Respondents

(skipped this question)

16. Of the known site historical/legacy data - i.e. data the site might not consider part of its standard research data, what percentage has corresponding EML metadata (at any level)?

Response Percent

Response Total

20%

12%

100

16%

Total Respondents

(skipped this question)

17. Of the known site GIS, including remote sensing data, what percentage of that total has corresponding EML metadata (at any level)?

Response Percent

Response Total

40%

12%

100

20%

Total Respondents

(skipped this question)

18. Of the known site remote sensing data, what percentage of that total has corresponding EML metadata (at any level)?

Response Percent

Response Total

56%

100

16%

Total Respondents

(skipped this question)

19. About what percent of LTER site METAdata are registered/harvested in the LTER Metacat?

Response Percent

Response Total

7.7%

3.8%

15.4%

11.5%

100

42.3%

Total Respondents

(skipped this question)

20. What percent of LTER site data have a direct link from the metadata, or the actual data are included in the metadata so that they can be directly accessed online?

Response Percent

Response Total

15.4%

3.8%

7.7%

3.8%

19.2%

100

46.2%

Total Respondents

(skipped this question)

5. Overview of site information management

21. What is the general way research data are managed at your site? Select all that apply.

Response Percent

Response Total

The site information manager(s) manage most site data.

73.1%

The site information manager(s) enter most site data.

23.1%

Most site data is entered by site technicians.

69.2%

Researchers at the site enter most of their data into the site information management system.

19.2%

Student research data (i.e. thesis data) are generally included in the site information management system.

53.8%

Site legacy data (historical data existing before the site was established) are included as part of the standard site LTER data.

80.8%

Standard procedures or training exists for use by technicians and researchers to enter and manage their data.

65.4%

Standard procedures or training exists for use by technicians and researchers to enter and manage their METAdata.

53.8%

Total Respondents

(skipped this question)

22. What type of quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) procedure does your site follow for site data? Select all that apply.

Response Percent

Response Total

The site has documented specific QA/QC procedures of its own.

53.8%

The site follows specific QA/QC guidelines (e.g. EPA, USGS etc).

15.4%

Researchers are responsible for QA/QC of their own data.

80.8%

QA/QC guidelines are followed for MOST site data.

53.8%

QA/QC guidelines are not necessarily followed for all site data (such as student thesis data).

30.8%

Other (please describe)

15.4%

Total Respondents

(skipped this question)

OTHER:

What type of quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) procedure does your site follow for site data? Select all that apply.

1.	Different types of data have different QC procedures.
2.	Site follows QA/QC guide for agencies such as EPA, NRCS, and NOAA, but this is limited to specific researchers that must follow those guidelines.
3.	data QAQC programs developed within the database
4.	QA/QC not well documented, but responsibility of the IM.

23. Please RANK in order from 1 to 10, the primary users of your data with #1 being the most frequent user of your site data. Note: No two items can have the same rank - you have to decide...

Response Average

Site principal investigator(s)

58% (14)

17% (4)

12% (3)

4% (1)

8% (2)

0% (0)

1.88

Site researchers (non-PI), technicians and staff.

13% (3)

52% (12)

13% (3)

17% (4)

4% (1)

0% (0)

2.48

Site students

21% (5)

58% (14)

0% (0)

2.38

Outside (non-site) researchers and students

14% (3)

9% (2)

41% (9)

23% (5)

0% (0)

3.45

Outside or collaborating student researchers

0% (0)

9% (2)

32% (7)

55% (12)

0% (0)

5% (1)

0% (0)

4.64

Government agencies, NSF, NASA etc.

0% (0)

6% (1)

44% (8)

33% (6)

6% (1)

0% (0)

6% (1)

6.50

Policy makers, congress, government

0% (0)

6% (1)

12% (2)

24% (4)

29% (5)

18% (3)

12% (2)

7.76

Litigators, lawyers etc.

0% (0)

8% (1)

0% (0)

8% (1)

46% (6)

38% (5)

9.08

General public

0% (0)

35% (7)

30% (6)

5% (1)

0% (0)

7.05

Others not listed here

0% (0)

17% (2)

8% (1)

25% (3)

42% (5)

8.67

Total Respondents

(skipped this question)

24. How does your site track users of data? Select any that apply.

Response Percent

Response Total

Users are tracked from information collected through data use policy forms.

61.5%

Users are logged by ftp or other internet tracking tools.

42.3%

Users are known since they must contact information managers for access to data.

11.5%

Users are known who must contact researchers for access to data.

15.4%

Other (please specify)

23.1%

Total Respondents

(skipped this question)

OTHER:

How does your site track users of data? Select any that apply.

1.	we have no way to determine who is downloading data
2.	Our site uses an honor system requesting data users contact the site IM or responsible investigators. For restricted access data, users are required to contact the resp. investigator to gain access.
3.	Voluntary notification of PI or information manager
4.	we collect ip addresses but nothing else
5.	no tracking except in response to data policy request
6.	no tracking except with responses to data policy requests

25. How are data generally distributed at your site? Select ALL that apply.

Response Percent

Response Total

MOST site data are online and freely available and most data access does not require help from the site information manager(s).

76.9%

MOST site data are online and freely available but most requests still come to the information manager for what is available and how to access it.

26.9%

SOME site data are online although most data requests are filled by an information manager.

11.5%

Online data are limited and almost all site data are provided to requesters by an information manager.

A "data license" or data use agreement is required for data use.

34.6%

A "data license" or data use agreement exists, but is voluntary.

42.3%

Response to data access are tracked or recorded.

50%

A procedure exists for access to sensitive or proprietary data - i.e. sensitive data is cataloged and a method to access the data exists.

53.8%

Other (please specify)

3.8%

Total Respondents

(skipped this question)

OTHER:

How are data generally distributed at your site? Select ALL that apply.

1.	Most people contact the IM for GIS data

26. On-line site data are provided through the following mechanisms: Select all that apply.

Response Percent

Response Total

The site website provides direct access to data.

96.2%

Site data are available though an "ftp" mechanism.

15.4%

Site data are generally managed as "flat files" in an organized file system, not in a database.

57.7%

Site data are generally managed as "html/xml files" in an organized file system, not in a database.

11.5%

Site data, stored as flat files or html/xml code are managed through a database system such as MySQL or Oracle.

11.5%

Site data are managed through a database system such as MySQL or Oracle.

61.5%

Site data are managed through a specialized system, software or scripts developed at the site.

38.5%

Other (please specify)

7.7%

Total Respondents

(skipped this question)

OTHER:

On-line site data are provided through the following mechanisms: Select all that apply.

1.	GIS data are available through shared data drives.
2.	site data are managed in a database, but downloadable as flat ASCII files

27. In addition to off the shelf tools for information management, briefly describe what tools, if any your site has developed.

Response Percent

Response Total

Our site relies primarily on existing/off the shelf tools for information management.

61.5%

Other (please describe)

73.1%

Total Respondents

(skipped this question)

OTHER:

In addition to off the shelf tools for information management, briefly describe what tools, if any your site has developed.

1.	online web forms for metadata form processing software dynamic online maps
2.	Scripts, xslt...
3.	administrative databases and metadata driven application tools
4.	For some data types (an increasing number) we incorporate EML creation as the final rpocessing step. The IM creates the scripts to do this.
5.	website is custom programed for datamanagement tasks
6.	Site has developed (1)custom content management system for website content and appearance, (2) search interfaces to photos (aerial/non-aerial), GIS (customized ArcIMS), and website and (3) to generate and manage site metadata including EML.
7.	perl scripts, vb programs
8.	resource/equipment management tools, qaqc tools
9.	Chemlab - lab management and data entry system Log2DB - remote sensor data middleware FishSamp - fish data collection software Zoopomatic - Computer assisted zooplankton counting and measuring Modis data processing applications EML generation applications Sensor network cyber dashboard Dynamic database query system dbBadger - data aggregation and analysis tool
10.	Many scripts to parse, QA/QC, and enter data into the MySQL database have been written. Some custom data entry programs have been written.
11.	perl scripts VBA scripts (macros)
12.	Use ARC, Jim Laundre Excel tool for EML generation
13.	applications to handle collections, ie bibliography, media gallery
14.	The FCE Excel2EML Perl converter program and Excel metadata spreadsheet are used to convert our metadata to EML. This program was developed at our site.
15.	relational database with client / server scripts accessing the database
16.	applications for local collections such as bibliography or media
17.	Tons of Perl Scripts
18.	GCE Data Toolbox - MATLAB-based software for metadata-based data processing, Q/C and analysis
19.	in-house development on php/mysql.

28. For GIS data maintained at the site (select all that apply):

Response Percent

Response Total

Most site GIS/spatial data are provided online.

57.9%

Most site GIS/spatial data have corresponding EML metadata.

36.8%

Most original (raw) remote sensing data are included in the site spatial data holding.

52.6%

Most original remote sensing data are available online.

26.3%

Internet map services are used at the site for DISPLAY and SEARCH of GIS data.

68.4%

Internet map services are used at the site for ACCESS to GIS data.

15.8%

Total Respondents

(skipped this question)

6. LTER site instrumentation infrastructure

29. How are standard/routine meteorological data (data from more or less standard meteorological stations) collected/managed at the site ? For shipboard systems or buoys, use the closest method listed (select all that apply).

Response Percent

Response Total

Meteorological data are manually collected by observing static instrument readings.

23.1%

Meteorological data are manually entered from the nearest NOAA, state climatologist or National Climate data center sources.

7.7%

Meteorological data are downloaded from the nearest NOAA or National Climate data center.

46.2%

Meteorological data are collected by interpreting paper, strip-chart or other information.

19.2%

Meteorological data are automatically collected by a digital hard-wired system.

38.5%

Meteorological data are collected by automated data logger systems, and later downloaded.

65.4%

Meteorological data are collected by hardwired phone/modem system.

15.4%

Meteorological data are collected by automated wireless phone (i.e. cell phone) system.

7.7%

Meteorological data are collected by automated radio or wireless transmission and collected automatically.

50%

Other (please specify)

Total Respondents

(skipped this question)

30. What type of GPS location information is maintained for the LTER site? Please select all that apply, and add any information not listed here.

Response Percent

Response Total

The site "boundary" is defined in spatial coordinates, for instance, a "shapefile" exists describing the site location.

76.9%

The primary research site locations are maintained in a file or database.

96.2%

The primary research site locations are publicly available on the site webpage.

65.4%

The primary research site locations are available on the NETWORK (i.e. sitedb) webpage.

26.9%

High precision control points or benchmarks are established for reference at the LTER site.

34.6%

The LTER site is mapped with a consistent grid of GPS locations.

19.2%

Most research data are not generally stored with GPS location information.

19.2%

Most research data are collected with GPS location information.

65.4%

Research data are generally collected with GPS location information accurate to 15m.

42.3%

Research data are generally collected with GPS location information with sub-meter accuracy.

34.6%

GPS location information is required for all research data.

19.2%

Other (please describe)

11.5%

Total Respondents

(skipped this question)

OTHER:

What type of GPS location information is maintained for the LTER site? Please select all that apply, and add any information not listed here.

1.	For new studies would like GPS data, sometimes we can't get accurate locations because of canopy cover and steep slopes.
2.	Accuracy of GPS is based on nearness of land-based stations. For data collected offshore, accuracy for gps coordinates is approximately 3m.
3.	GPS location information is strongly recommended for all research data.

31. What type of GPS equipment is available for use at the site (select all that apply).

Response Percent

Response Total

High precision DGPS equipment (better than 3m accuracy) is available for use at the site (using regional base station or other methods of correction).

46.2%

High precision DGPS equipment (better than 3m accuracy) has been used at the site, but is not generally available for research use.

15.4%

Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) enabled (better than 5m accuracy) GPS receivers are available for use at the site.

19.2%

Conventional GPS receivers (15m or worse accuracy) are generally available for use at the site.

42.3%

The site does not maintain GPS receivers for research use.

7.7%

Other (please specify)

11.5%

Total Respondents

(skipped this question)

OTHER:

What type of GPS equipment is available for use at the site (select all that apply).

1.	I can't answer this question
2.	High precision DGPS available at the field Station
3.	High precision DGPS borrowed through UNAVCO/LTER agreement

32. Besides conventional meteorological measurements, what type of sensor systems are routinely used for data collection at the site? This may vary for terrestrial and/or aquatic systems. In other words, does your site routinely collect specialized data in an AUTOMATED fashion? (Please specify or describe).

Response Percent

Response Total

Streamflow gauges or automated weir measurements, automated current measurements

56.5%

Hydrographic moorings

8.7%

A vertical profile system (thermistor chain etc) on a tower or buoy collects data.

43.5%

A sensor network exists to collect spatial data.

17.4%

Eddy covariance

34.8%

Bowen Ratio

13%

Other (please specify)

43.5%

Total Respondents

(skipped this question)

OTHER:

Besides conventional meteorological measurements, what type of sensor systems are routinely used for data collection at the site? This may vary for terrestrial and/or aquatic systems. In other words, does your site routinely collect specialized data in an AUTOMATED fashion? (Please specify or describe).

1.	tide
2.	I can't answer this question
3.	Lake levels, ablation, underwater light, and surface light for 3 perennially frozen lakes.
4.	radiometers, tdr probes
5.	Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler
6.	Sensors for soil moisture and temperature.
7.	Water quality sonde data Marsh groundwater level ADCP
8.	autonomous vehicles
9.	thermistors, conductivity sensors, pressure sensors, current meters
10.	autonomous vehicles

33. The site has installed a wireless network for automated data collection at the site (this would include radio data transmission that is eventually linked directly to the internet).

Response Percent

Response Total

Yes

60%

40%

If present, please describe :

20%

Total Respondents

(skipped this question)

OTHER:

The site has installed a wireless network for automated data collection at the site (this would include radio data transmission that is eventually linked directly to the internet).

1.	Seabird CTD, logging data with LabView, and sent to a campus PC via 3g wireless. To linux server with samba. Data is currently logged as text.
2.	Wireless system in place to collect meteorology and hydrology data at hourly and daily automated data collection.
3.	wireless cloud exists over MacKenzie Flats, location of most research
4.	A wireless network is installed at the site that could be used for automated data collection. At present it is used mainly by researchers for accessing the internet.
5.	Data are being collected from remote two streams and three weather stations using radios with a repeater tower. The data are not yet available on-line but should be within several weeks.

7. LTER site computer infrastructure:

34. What PRIMARY Server architecture is used for SITE data management? (select all that apply)

Response Percent

Response Total

Netware

3.8%

MS Windows-based systems

65.4%

Mac-based systems (OS X Tiger, etc)

11.5%

Linux-based systems

42.3%

Other Unix (SunOS etc) based systems

26.9%

Other (please describe)

Total Respondents

(skipped this question)

35. What archive and backup procedures are used at your site? (select all that apply)

Response Percent

Response Total

Active site data are maintained on fault-tolerant (i.e. RAID) systems.

69.2%

The site uses a documented archive and backup plan.

73.1%

Site data are archived using tape backup systems.

76.9%

Site data are archived using CD or DVD or similar backup systems.

30.8%

Site data are archived using mirrored disk systems.

30.8%

Site data are archived using remote data archive facilities.

15.4%

Data backup includes off-site/secure storage.

80.8%

Other (please describe

7.7%

Total Respondents

(skipped this question)

OTHER:

What archive and backup procedures are used at your site? (select all that apply)

1.	Data are backed up to network disk appliances located in a different building.
2.	Redundant external hard drive copies

36. About what TOTAL data storage capacity does your site maintain for general LTER related data including backup capacity and other storage?

Response Percent

Response Total

less than 1gb

1gb

5gb

7.7%

10gb

50gb

3.8%

100gb

7.7%

500gb

15.4%

1tb

19.2%

2.5tb

23.1%

5tb

23.1%

10tb

50tb

100tb

500tb

1pb

>1pb

Total Respondents

(skipped this question)

37. About what ONLINE data storage capacity does your site maintain for general LTER data and data distribution?

Response Percent

Response Total

less than 1gb

1gb

5gb

7.7%

10gb

7.7%

50gb

15.4%

100gb

23.1%

500gb

23.1%

1tb

15.4%

2.5tb

3.8%

5tb

3.8%

10tb

50tb

100tb

500tb

1pb

>1pb

Total Respondents

(skipped this question)

38. What is the primary link speed from the Home Institution(s) to the Internet? In other words, what kind of Internet connection does your primary site institution, university etc. have? For multiple institution sites, select what most have, or what the primary site institution has.

Response Percent

Response Total

Internet link is greater than 1 GB/s

34.6%

Internet link is 1Gb/s.

30.8%

Internet link is 100mb/s

23.1%

Internet link is 10mb/s

3.8%

Internet link is less than 10mb/s (i.e 1.54mb/s)

7.7%

There is no internet connection.

Total Respondents

(skipped this question)

39. What type of internet capability is available for researchers at the Home Institution(s)? In other words, what is the general connection speed of your Local Area Network? Select the closest that applies.

Response Percent

Response Total

Local Area Connection is greater than 1Gb/s.

15.4%

Local Area Connection is 1Gb/s.

26.9%

Local Area Connection is 100mb/s

42.3%

Local Area Connection is 10mb/s

11.5%

Local Area Connection is less than 10mb/s

3.8%

There is no internet connection.

Total Respondents

(skipped this question)

40. Wireless internet is available for researchers at the home institution.

Response Percent

Response Total

Yes

84.6%

15.4%

Total Respondents

(skipped this question)

41. What is the speed of the primary link to the Internet at the Research SITE ?

Response Percent

Response Total

Internet link is greater than 1 GB/s.

12%

Internet link is 1Gb/s.

Internet link is 100mb/s

20%

Internet link is 10mb/s

Internet link is less than 10mb/s

56%

There is no internet connection.

Total Respondents

(skipped this question)

42. What type of internet bandwidth is available at the research SITE? In other words, what is the speed of the internal local area connection at the site? Select the closest that applies.

Response Percent

Response Total

Local Area Connection is > 1Gb/s.

Local Area Connection is 1Gb/s.

12%

Local Area Connection is 100mb/s.

32%

Local Area Connection is 10mb/s.

24%

Local Area Connection is less than 10mb/s. (i.e. 1.54mb/s)

24%

There is no internet connection.

Total Respondents

(skipped this question)

43. Wireless internet is available for researchers at the site.

Response Percent

Response Total

Yes

72%