Geographical and Thematic Distribution of Publications Generated at the International Long-Term Ecological Research Network (ILTER) Sites - Earth Stewardship: Linking Ecology and Ethics in Theory and Practice - page 210

and meta-data repository and data standard, used by LTER networks worldwide,
was passed over for offi cial adoption by the ILTER in favor of the infrastructure
developed by the US LTER.
For an Earth Stewardship initiative, it is relevant to consider the extent to which
ethnographic methods that focus on individuals, sites, or individual networks
research can be incorporated. This type of research has been underrepresented in
Northern Hemisphere long-term socio-ecological (LTSER) networks, which have
focused on socio-economic variables (Rozzi et al. 2012 , p. 303). South American
and Asian socio-ecological research initiatives highlight the relevance of traditional
ecological knowledge, as well as ethical, aesthetic, and spiritual values (see chap-
ters by Shibata, Gao, Sarmiento, Mamani-Bernabé, Rozzi, Aguirre Sala, May Jr, in
this volume [Chaps. 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 8 , 9 , 15 , 2 7 ]). Overall, the language and practice of
long-term ecological data favors quantitative measures of single parameters.
Interestingly, today local forms of ecological knowledge are beginning to appear on
the conceptual radar of ILTER.
Technological advances in the LTER networks, such as automated sensor net-
works, present a bias toward the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere,
LTER networks face unique and great challenges in terms of costs to build and
maintain capital-intensive infrastructures. Additionally, novel technological infra-
structure, which monitors nature in more automated ways, increases the distance
between humans and nature. However, an Earth Stewardship initiative requires a
social engagement and the participation of researchers from diverse regions and
cultures. Therefore, it is necessary to also develop novel participatory models to
promote an inclusive intercultural approach to LTER research.
As demonstrated by our analyses, currently it is not possible to interrogate
directly the knowledge superstructure that the various LTER infrastructures have
built collectively. As we advance toward that goal, the role played by ILTER infra-
structure, the geographical and conceptual constraints in the production of knowl-
edge at ILTER cannot remain invisible. The marked geopolitical biases in the
knowledge production at ILTER suggests that it is urgent to better balance the inclu-
sion of quantitative and qualitative forms of knowledge from different regions and
cultural traditions. Epistemologically, the inclusion of broader geographical areas
and qualitative research will broaden the spectrum of ecological forms of knowl-
edge. Ethically, it will broaden the spectrum of values and the participation of local
and regional communities. Our concise analysis aims to call attention to the fact that
ILTER research outputs could better represent the multiplicity of existing ecologi-
cal worldviews in order to avoid excluding diverse stakeholder communities to
Earth Stewardship, and enhance intercultural and interregional dialogues and
collaborations in this planetary initiative.
Acknowledgements This chapter was made possible by a project of the International Long-Term
Ecological Research (ILTER) Network, in conjunction with FinLTSER, the THULE Institute, and
the Academy of Finland, SYKE - the Finnish Environment Institute, the Centre for Ecology and
Hydrology (UK), and the support of the Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity (IEB-Chile).