Walker Branch is a core wadeable stream site located in the deciduous forest of the Oak Ridge Reservation in eastern Tennessee. This site is part of NEON's Appalachians and Cumberland Plateau Domain 7. Remote sensing surveys of this site collect lidar, spectrometer and high resolution RGB camera data. This site has one meteorological station located in the riparian area. The met station is outfitted with a subset of the same sensors used at terrestrial sites. Measurements include wind speed and direction, air temperature, barometric pressure, relative humidity, shortwave radiation, and PAR. This site has one upstream sensor station and one downstream sensor station. Measurements include PAR, temperature, water quality [specific conductivity, chlorophyll a, dissolved oxygen content, pH, turbidity, and fluorescent dissolved organic matter (only downstream)], and nitrate is measured at the downstream station. Three groundwater wells throughout the site collect specific conductivity, water tempertaure, and elevation of groundwater. Field ecologists collect the following types of observational data at this site: aquatic organisms (Aquatic Microbes (surface water),macroinvertebrates microalgae, plants and macroalgae, zooplankton. Biogeochemical data on plants,sediment water and particulates.As well as physical aquatic data on bathymetric maps, stage,secchi depth and depth profiles, and riparian assessment.Total data products planned for this site: 78

In order to evaluate fecal pollution and environmental status Vibrio, E. coli and coliforms abundance from water, sediments and mussels in the Mar Piccolo of Taranto was assessed

Helgoland Roads summary The Helgoland Roads time-series, located at the island of Helgoland in the German Bight, approximately 60 km off the German mainland (54°11'N 7°54'E), is one of the richest temporal marine datasets available. The time-series was initiated in 1962 at the Helgoland Roads site, which is located between the main island of Helgoland and a small sandy outcrop, the so-called 'dune'. The location near Helgoland is of particular interest because the site is essentially in a transitional zone between coastal and oceanic conditions, which is seen most clearly in the salinity patterns at Helgoland Roads. Initially, the sampling frequency was thrice weekly, but this was increased to daily in the early 1970s. Since then, the high sampling frequency has provided a unique opportunity to study long-term trends in abiotic and biotic parameters, but also ecological phenomena, such as seasonal interactions between different foodweb components, niche properties, and the dynamics and timing of the spring bloom (Grüner et al. 2011; Mieruch et al. 2010; Tian et al. 2008; Wiltshire et al. 2015; Wiltshire et al. 2010). The measured parameters comprise phytoplankton, temperature, salinity, and nutrient analyses. Inorganic nutrients. The taxon list now contains over 350 entities (with 230 distinct species). Both the phytoplankton and chemical dataseries are fully quality-controlled, based on original data sheets and metadata (Wiltshire and Dürselen, 2004; Raabe and Wiltshire, 2009). The phytoplankton time-series is augmented by the biological parameters zooplankton, rocky shore macroalgae, macro-zoobenthos, and bacteria, providing a unique opportunity to investigate longterm changes at an ecosystem scale. Some historic data sets are also available and have been archived in the online repository Pangaea, alongside all core phytoplankton and environmental data sets for Helgoland Roads (Kraberg et al. 2015). Analyses by Wiltshire et al. (2010) have demonstrated the statistical significance of these changes, with temperature since 1962 amounting to 1.7°C (Wiltshire et al., 2010). In tandem with the increases in temperature and salinity, nutrient dynamics at Helgoland Roads have also changed considerably, with phosphate concentrations having declined significantly since 1962. Long-term trends are also seen in the biota, with Diatoms in particular having exhibited an increase in abundance, with a concomitant increase in positive trend for total Dinoflagellates (see also (Wiltshire et al. 2008)). This was not a gradual change, but a rapid shift from negative to positive anomalies around 1998. The exact causes for this are still under investigation. Breaking this down to monthly trends, the swing seems to be largely driven by shifts in autumn and winter. There was also a significant shift in seasonal densities of individual Diatom species (Guinardia delicatula, Paralia sulcata) and in the numbers of large Diatoms (e.g. Cocinodiscus wailesii), which are difficult for copepods to graze. The large Diatom Mediopyxis helysia has recently been observed for the first time and now occurs almost throughout the year, with an intensive bloom in spring 2010 (Kraberg et al. 2012). Generally speaking, the spring Diatom bloom now appears to start later, if the preceding autumn was very warm (Wiltshire and Manly, 2004). It is worth noting that species introductions are also occurring in the zooplankton, with the ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi being the most obvious new species (Boersma et al. 2007). References Boersma M, Malzahn AM, Greve W, Javidpour J (2007) The first occurrence of the ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi in the North Sea Helgoland Marine Research Grüner N, Gebühr C, Boersma M, Feudel U, Wiltshire KH, Freund JA (2011) Reconstructin g the realized niche of phytopankton species from environmental data: fitness versus abundance approach Limnology and Oceanography methods 9:432-442 Kraberg A, Carstens K, Tilly K, Wiltshire KH (2012) The diatom Mediopyxis helysia at Helgoland Roads: a success story? Helgoland Marine Research 66:463-468 Kraberg AC, Rodriguez N, Salewski CR (2015) Historical phytoplankton data from Helgoland Roads: Can they be linked to modern time series data? Journal of Sea Research 101:51-58 Mieruch S, Freund JA, Feudel U, Boersma M, Janisch S, Wiltshire KH (2010) A new method for describing phytoplankton blooms: Examples from Helgoland Journal of Marine Systems 79:36-43 Tian Y, Kidokoro H, Watanabe T, Iguchi N (2008) The late 1980s regime shift in the ecosystem of Tsushima warm current in the Japan/ East Sea: Evidence from historical data and possible mechanisms Progress in Oceanography 77:127-145 Wiltshire KH, Boersma M, Carstens K, Kraberg AC, Peters S, Scharfe M (2015) Control of phytoplankton in a shelf sea: Determination of the main drivers based on the Helgoland Roads Time Series Journal of Sea Research 105:42-52 Wiltshire KH et al. (2010) Helgoland Roads: 45 years of change in the North Sea Estuaries and Coasts DOI 10.1007/s12237-009-9228-y Wiltshire KH et al. (2008) Resilience of North Sea phytoplankton spring bloom dynamics: An analysis of long-term data at Helgoland Roads Limnology and Oceanography 53:1294-1302

The Gulf of Olbia is situated on the eastern coast of Sardinia. Morphologically, it is a typical ria, long 5 km, wide 2 km and with a total area of 600 ha, a mean depth of 5 m and a maximum depth of 10 m. The gulf receives a freshwater flow from the Padrongianus River in its southern part. The town of Olbia, located in the inner part of the Gulf, is one of the most important passenger harbors in the Mediterranean (about 4 million passengers per year) with in addition a commercial and an industrial harbor. It is also the largest mussel- and clam-farming area in Sardinia (5000 t yr−1). Mussel and clam farming is strongly affected by the presence of toxic algae. Since the early 1990s, the Gulf of Olbia has been monitored with respect to its trophic state and phytoplankton abundance and composition, in particular, the presence of toxic or harmful species of genus Alexandrium (Dinophyceae). However, the first data were collected in 1987, in connection with a discoloration event due to phytoplankton and with an extensive fish death. A long-term series of data is available and derives from high-frequency measurements and samplings to assess environmental and biological parameters. In particular the data concern the main trophic descriptors (Secchi depth, temperature, pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen and saturation, alkalinity, NH4-N, NO2-N, NO3-N, total nitrogen, soluble reactive phosphorus, total phosphorus, dissolved silica) and phytoplankton abundances, as chlorophyll a, cell densities and biomass, class and species composition. Data collection started in 1992 for only phytoplankton data, then, other environmental variables are added in 1996, with some time gaps of various sizes up to 2008. The collection of only phytoplankton data has continued without interruption since 2008.

The Asinara Gulf covers approximately 500 km2 and is the second largest bay in Sardinia. The Gulf is limited by Asinara Island (National Park) in the west side and by Castelsardo town in the east side. The average depth of the gulf is approximately 35-40 m and only 35% of the gulf bottom has a depth exceeding 50 m. The predominant winds are from the I and IV quadrant. The marine area of the gulf has been affected since the ‘70s by different human impacts, especially by those connected to the industrial centre of Porto Torres. The main urban centre along the gulf coast is Porto Torres, with an important industrial, commercial and passenger harbour. A long-term series of data is available since 1997 and derives from high-frequency measurements and samplings to assess environmental and biological parameters. In particular the data concern the main trophic descriptors (Secchi depth, temperature, pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen and saturation, alkalinity, NH4-N, NO2-N, NO3-N, total nitrogen, soluble reactive phosphorus, total phosphorus, dissolved silica) and phytoplankton abundances, as chlorophyll a, cell densities and biomass, class and species composition. Data collection started in 1997 and continued, with few gaps of various sizes of time, up to 2007. The data collection resumed in 2007 only seasonally.

The LTSER Zone Atelier Territoires Uranifères belongs to LTER-France network and is located in center of France. ZATU’s goal is to develop a multidisciplinary approach confronting the views of biologists, chemists, geographers , ecologists, geologists, physicians , physicists, sociologists on life in environments characterized by chronic natural or enhanced natural radiation . The ZA research program is built around three main themes centered on human and social sciences, radiochemistry , and biology. The ZA provides a framework for interaction between these research areas and therefore offers opportunities for developing truly interdisciplinary projects with a systemic approach. Indeed , interactions and strong feedback exist between living systems, human beings and the long-term future of radionuclides. Human acts on his environment through mining, large-scale development, and post-mining management), creating new life habitats and impacting the long term fake of radionuclides (management of water flows , introduction of radioactive material confinement cover , ...). Similarly, the presence of radioactivity impacts the relationship of man to his environment in terms of understanding risk and implementing prevention process. Finally, if the radioactivity affects living systems, living systems can also act on the fate of radionuclides. For instance, bacteria can induce change in speciation.

The Slapy reservoir is a part of the Vltava Cascade, a system of nine reservoirs together retaining 1.4 billion m3 of water. The dam of the Slapy reservoir was constructed at the 91.7 km of the Vltava River in 1949–1954 and the reservoir impounded in 1955. The dam is 60 m high and 260 m long. Reservoir volume is 270×106 m3. Just below the Slapy dam, there is the end of impoundment of the small Štěchovice reservoir (built earlier in 1938–1944). Only several small brooks enter the impoundment of the Slapy reservoir, the mean yearly flow through the Slapy reservoir is 83.8 m3 s-1 and the mean hydraulic retention time is 38.5 days. A large Lipno reservoir in the upper part of the Vltava River was built in 1952–1959. In 1961, another part of the Vltava Cascade, large Orlík reservoir was built above the Slapy reservoir and later several small reservoirs. The total catchment area of the Slapy reservoir is 12 968 km2. The Slapy reservoir is a canyon shaped water body mostly with steep banks. An electric power station, working in peak hours (morning and evening), is located in the dam. As a consequence, periodic seiches occurred, water level fluctuates, and a littoral zone with aquatic plants is not developed. The reservoir is intensely used for recreation and locally as a drinking water source. Regular investigations include major physical and chemical characteristics and pelagic biota (bacteria, protists, phytoplankton and zooplankton). The sampling point is located 8.8 km downstream of the dam in a lacustrine zone of the reservoir. Long-term research in the reservoir already yielded valuable results explaining long-term effects of anthropogenic and land use changes in the catchment, such as the construction of the upstream reservoir, agricultural practice (e.g. drainage, changes in arable land area and fertilization rate), wastewater treatment, road de-icing etc., on water chemistry and biology.

Western part of the Gulf of Riga (the Baltic Sea) littoral and sublitoral zone. The marine site is located on the west coast of the Gulf, in the Engure Nature protected area. The monitoring activities are based on three transects which represent an open area of very similar substrate type. These transects are located on the tip of Mersrags, 2.5 km northwards from the port of Mersrags. Long-term studies of the Gulf of Riga coastal zone communities and macrophytes as the key component of littoral zone under natural and anthropogenic impact and possible threats to the littoral zone biological resources. The SCUBA diving is used in marine site assessment.

The Gulf of Naples has an extension of ca 870 kmq and an average depth of 170 m. The coastal area, which is inhabited since pre-Roman age, is densely populated and small factories are actively growing. In the Gulf, polluted areas (Sarno river mouth, harbours) coexist with pristine areas, including some Protected Marine Areas. Research on marine organisms has started before since the beginning of 1800, but first ecological studies date back to the 70ies of the last century. The long-term monitoring station (LTER-MC, 40°49’N, 14°15’E) is located 2 nm off Naples city (depth ca 75 m) at the boundary between eutrophied coastal waters and oligotrophic Tyrrhenian waters. Larger areas of the Gulf have been sampled occasionally in several cruises. The MC data set represents one of the few plankton time series available in the Mediterranean Sea, and it is certainly one of the longest.

Postojnska jama is a part of the Postojna-Planina cave system (PPCS), the most biologically diverse cave in the world. Postojnska jama is a locus typicus of at least 37 animals, among them also cave beetle Leptodirus hochenwarti, the first recognized cave adapted animal. PPCS consisting of 17 and 6 km of passages, respectively, connected by 2 km of flooded corridors, the PPCS has more known species of stygobionts than any other cave or other subterranean site. The sinking river in the main passages is inhabited by a rich assortment of stygobionts, stygophiles, and accidental surface species. Both streams drain a catchment area of over 800 km2. Above the cave passages is the rich epikarst community. Among the 48 stygobionts is the European cave salamander Proteus anguinus anguinus. Both the snail (8 species) and crustacean (16 species) faunas are rich. The marine origin of some of the stygobiotic species is evident in the hydrozoan Velkovrhia enigmatica and the cirolanid isopod Monolistra racovitzae racovitzae. Three species of the amphipod genus Niphargus as well as populations of Asellus aquaticus were isolated in the cave at different times. The Postojna-Planina Cave is one of the best-studied caves in the world, and parts of it have been heavily visited by tourists since 1818. There are currently installed underground meteorological stations, and sites are defined for permanent water and biodiversity monitoring with the respect to human impact.