Abstract
The National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) is a long-term
ecological observatory focused on collecting and providing open,
continental-scale data that characterize and quantify complex and
rapidly changing ecological patterns and processes. As part of the
broader Observatory design, the NEON Assignable Assets Program provides
access to NEON infrastructure enabling Principal Investigator
(PI)-driven research. Requests can be from five main areas: Sensor
Infrastructure (SI), Observational Sampling Infrastructure (OSI), the
Airborne Observation Platform (AOP), the Mobile Deployment Platform
(MDP), and Field Site Access and Coordination (FSAC). NEON’s field
sampling teams are also available at NEON sites to support specimen
collection and observations for specific research needs. The PI or their
sponsor is responsible for costs incurred by the NEON program to
complete the requested access or collection. In addition, NEON can
provide Letters of Support/Collaboration for collaborating with NEON
scientists or using NEON data. Sensor Infrastructure (SI): NEON offers
access to existing sensor infrastructure (i.e., towers, power, and
communications) for installation of physical instrument systems or the
addition of new arrays for collecting data from automated sensor suites.
Observational Sampling Infrastructure (OSI): PIs can request that NEON
Field Ecologists collect data or biological samples at NEON sites.
Airborne Observation Platform (AOP): Provides a suite of remote sensing
instruments mounted in an aircraft for collecting airborne-based data
(discrete and waveform LiDAR, hyperspectral imagery, and RGB camera).
Mobile Deployment Platform (MDP): NEON offers a suite of self-contained,
mobile arrays of sensors, power systems, and data logging capabilities
for capturing atmospheric, soil, and aquatic-based measurements. These
are deployable in areas of interest to capture data analogous to ongoing
NEON data collection. Field Site Access Coordination (FSAC): Researchers
may want to work within or adjacent to NEON sites while not utilizing
NEON infrastructure or personnel. Review of these projects ensures no
impact to NEON data collection, and provides minimal logistical support
for working adjacent to NEON sites. More at
https://www.neonscience.org/assignable-assets