7. Towards consistent site descriptions for worldwide data synthesis

The first meeting of this working groups was held over the weekend of 15-16 October 2005	PARTICIPANTS Geoffrey Humphreys - Macquarie, Physical Geography Damian Gore - Macquarie, Physical Geography Hans Cornelissen - Vrije U Amsterdam David Whitehead - Landcare Research NZ Ian Wright, Mark Westoby and Michelle Leishman- Macquarie Will Cornwell - Stanford now Vrije U Amsterdam Susan Wiser - Landcare Research NZ Roger Parfitt - Landcare Research NZ
15 Oct >

Data synthesis about plant species is at present seriously held back by the fact that the physical environment of research sites is not described with any consistency. This is especially a problem for soils. Given an accurate location and altitude, reasonable estimates of climate are possible (e.g. New et al 2002).

The first meeting of this working group arrived at a recommended short list of site measurements for plant ecology,, designed to require no more than 30 field-mins and US$100 of lab processing. A paper explaining and specifying this recommendation has now been through three drafts, with extensive email discussion about issues arising. The paper will then be put through a Delphi process, to ensure that it fairly represents international expert opinion, before being submitted to a journal.

At this stage it is not expected the group will need to meet again.

last updated Sept 2006.