The SGS-LTER research site was established in 1980 by researchers at Colorado State University as part of a network of long-term research sites within the US LTER Network, supported by the National Science Foundation. Scientists within the Natural Resource Ecology Lab, Department of Forest and Rangeland Stewardship, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, and Biology Department at CSU, California State Fullerton, USDA Agricultural Research Service, University of Northern Colorado, and the University of Wyoming, among others, have contributed to our understanding of the structure and functions of the shortgrass steppe and other diverse ecosystems across the network while maintaining a common mission and sharing expertise, data and infrastructure.The shortgrass steppe (SGS) Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) site is part of a network of long-term research sites supported by the National Science Foundation. The network consists of 26 sites representing diverse ecosystems and research emphases, yet maintaining a common mission and sharing expertise and data. We assert that the ecological structure and function of the shortgrass steppe is governed by climate, human use, natural disturbance, biota and physiography. Our conceptual framework, right, depicts the relationship between these factors and our core research areas. Poster presented at the 7th Shortgrass Steppe Symposium held in Fort Collins, Colorado on 1/14/05
