Biosphere

For more information about the conceptual underpinning of the eLTER SOs and their role in the design and development of the eLTER RI, as well as the process of developing and selecting the SOs, please go to Info Sheet or read the new paper presenting the eLTER Framework of Standard Observations (Zacharias et al. 2026). This article includes the official information on what SOs are requested in which Site category and in which habitat.

Filter and Browse Standard Observations

Biosphere
Wetlands Grasslands and lands dominated by forbs, mosses or lichens Heathlands, shrub and tundra Forests and other wooded land Vegetated man-made habitats Inland surface standing waters Inland surface running waters Coastal (transitional) waters including coastal littoral zones Sparsely vegetated habitats and deserts

Flying - insects (SOBIO_014)

Comprised Variables: flying insects
Biosphere
Wetlands Grasslands and lands dominated by forbs, mosses or lichens Heathlands, shrub and tundra Forests and other wooded land Vegetated man-made habitats Sparsely vegetated habitats and deserts

Vegetation - composition (SOBIO_017)

Comprised Variables: ground vegetation
Biosphere
Wetlands Grasslands and lands dominated by forbs, mosses or lichens Heathlands, shrub and tundra Forests and other wooded land Vegetated man-made habitats Sparsely vegetated habitats and deserts

Acoustic recording (SOBIO_018)

Comprised Variables: birds, bats, (frogs, insects)
Biosphere
Wetlands Grasslands and lands dominated by forbs, mosses or lichens Heathlands, shrub and tundra Forests and other wooded land Vegetated man-made habitats

Pollen and spores (SOBIO_019)

Comprised Variables: pollen and spores
Biosphere
Wetlands Grasslands and lands dominated by forbs, mosses or lichens Heathlands, shrub and tundra Forests and other wooded land Vegetated man-made habitats Inland surface standing waters Inland surface running waters Coastal (transitional) waters including coastal littoral zones

eDNA Water (SOBIO_021)

Comprised Variables: eDNA Water
Biosphere
Wetlands Grasslands and lands dominated by forbs, mosses or lichens Heathlands, shrub and tundra Forests and other wooded land Vegetated man-made habitats Inland surface standing waters Inland surface running waters Sparsely vegetated habitats and deserts

eDNA soil  (SOBIO_022)

Comprised Variables: eDNA soil 
Biosphere
Inland surface standing waters Inland surface running waters Coastal (transitional) waters including coastal littoral zones

Surface water - algae (SOBIO_096)

Comprised Variables: clorophyll a (benthic, pelagic), phycocyanin (freshwater), phycoerythrin (saltwater) - standing, running waters
Biosphere
Inland surface running waters

Running water - P/N (SOHYD_172)

Comprised Variables: TP, SRP, TDN, NO3, NO2, NH4
Biosphere
Inland surface standing waters Coastal (transitional) waters including coastal littoral zones

Standing water - Profiles P/N (SOHYD_173)

Comprised Variables: TP, SRP, TDN, NO3, NO2, NH4