We are
GERI.
GERI is an integrated network of site-based research infrastructures dedicated to better understand the function and change of indicator ecosystems across global biomes. GERI aims to support excellent science that can also inform political and managerial decision-making regarding grand societal challenges. A fully functioning GERI will deliver harmonized data, foster international partnerships and enable new understandings of global ecological processes—stretching across continents, decades, and ecological disciplines—in ways that were not previously possible.
Who we are
The managing institutions that operate six different continental-scale ecosystem research infrastructures (RIs) signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on December 8, 2020. The founding RIs, coming from Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe (two RIs) and North America, have a true global coverage. They expressly committed to developing the first-ever Global Ecosystem Research Infrastructure (GERI).
| Environmental Research Infrastructure | Host country, continent | Backing institution |
|---|---|---|
| Chinese Ecosystem Research Network (CERN) | China, Asia | Chinese Academy of Science |
| European Long Term Ecosystem, critical zone and socio-ecological systems Research Network (eLTER) | Germany, Europe | European Commission |
| Integrated Carbon Observing System (ICOS ERIC) | Finland, Europe | European Commission |
| National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) | USA, North America | National Science Foundation |
| South African Ecological Observatory Network (SAEON) | South Africa, Africa | National Research Foundation |
| Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network (TERN) | Australia, Australia | National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy |
Federating global capabilities
The GERI MoU reaffirms the long-standing partnerships among the six analogous, but independent, ecosystem observing networks that monitor the ecosystems in their regions.
Prior to this MoU and the creation of the GERI, these Environmental Research Infrastructures (ERIs) have, for the past decade, been delivering national and/or continental-scale data to better understand the responses of the biosphere to the anthropogenic drivers of environmental change.
However, when tackling complex global issues such as climate change or biodiversity loss, we need an internationally collaborative approach if we are to truly make a difference. To this end, multi-national collaborations in the area of ecosystem observation over several years have led to the signing of the GERI MoU and the creation of GERI.
GERI in the framework of the G7 Group of Senior Officials (GSO)
The need and the potential for increased global cooperation on research infrastructures has been recognized for a long time in international high-level meetings on science policy.
At the first G7 Science Ministers’ meeting in 2008, the Group of Senior Officials (GSO) on global research infrastructures (GRIs) was established. Its mandate includes assessing and identifying research infrastructures of global interest, and identifying possible new areas of cooperation.
At its 14th meeting in Shanghai (2-4 December 2019), the GSO welcomed the case of GERI, acknowledging the global momentum in ecosystem research and the strong commitment of its funding RIs to GERI. The GSO encouraged further development of GERI with a focus on refining governance. The discussions in Shanghai highlighted the role of the GSO Best Practice Framework of GRIS to guide the successful implementation of GERI for the benefit of all stakeholders.
At the International Conference on Research Infrastructures ICRI in October 2022, GERI was discussed at the OECD satellite event “OECD Global Science Forum: Very Large International Research Infrastructures“. Several representatives of GERI also acted as speakers in the program of the Conference.
Participants in the GERI Governance Workshop, Boulder Colorado, June 2019. Standing (from left to right): S. Zacharias (eLTER, Helmholz UFZ), M. Mirtl (eLTER, Helmholz UFZ), W. Kutsch (ICOS ERIC), M. Grant (TERN, U Queensland), G. Feig (SAEON, U Pretoria), J. Tang (NEON, Marine Biological Lab), B. Ruddell (Northern Arizona U), J. Bäck (eLTER, U Helsinki), H. Loescher (NEON, Battelle), M. A. Genazzio (NEON, Battelle), J. Pauw (SAEON, South Africa NRF), L. Zhang (CERN, CAS). Sitting (from left to right): M. Hawkins (U.S. NSF, GSO Representative (Observer)), C. Schaedel (NEON, Northern Arizona U), B. Morris (TERN, U Queensland), and X. Yu (CERN, CAS), present but not pictured, D. Hudnut (NEON, Grok Consulting).
