Adaptive monitoring: a new paradigm for long-term research and monitoring

David B. Lindenmayer*, Gene E. Likens

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    603 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Long-term research and monitoring can provide important ecological insights and are crucial for the improved management of ecosystems and natural resources. However, many long-term research and monitoring programs are either ineffective or fail completely owing to poor planning and/or lack of focus. Here we propose the paradigm of adaptive monitoring, which aims to resolve many of the problems that have undermined previous attempts to establish long-term research and monitoring. This paradigm is driven by tractable questions, rigorous statistical design at the outset, a conceptual model of the ecosystem or other entity being examined and a human need to know about ecosystem change. An adaptive monitoring framework enables monitoring programs to evolve iteratively as new information emerges and research questions change.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)482-486
    Number of pages5
    JournalTrends in Ecology and Evolution
    Volume24
    Issue number9
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Sept 2009

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