LTAR Network Sites Overview

The 18 LTAR sites

The LTAR Network Sites: Strength Through Diversity

The network comprises 18 sites that use strategic research, coordinated experimentation, and common measurements to address agricultural challenges within and across major US agricultural ecosystems (croplands, grazinglands, and integrated systems). The LTAR network derives strength from its diversity: the sites span a range of geographies, climates, and agricultural systems and are exposed to a variety of stressors that affect agriculture. 

LTAR Network sites represent a partnership between multiple institutions including The United States Department of Agriculture – Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), universities, and private research institutions working in cooperation to achieve these goals. 

All of these sites were well-established research locations prior to joining the LTAR network and continue to study local agricultural issues in addition to LTAR research goals. The rich legacy of research and data collection at each site compliments the coordinated research conducted within the LTAR network.

LTAR Network Geography

A spatial overview of the LTAR Network site locations and boundaries as well as related networks geospatial layers. (To enable/disable layers, click on the layers list to the right.)

LTAR Network Sites Summary

Summary matrix describing attributes for each of the 18 LTAR Network sites. 

Site Name
(link to site page)
Site CodeLocationEstablishedYear Joined LTARArea (km2)Network AffiliationNEON DomainMajor crops, land use, and livestock productionBibliographies
Archbold-University of FloridaABS-UFLake Placid, FL; Venus, FL; Ona, FL19412012102AmeriFlux, GLEON, NutNet, USCRND3 – SoutheastBeef cattle, pasture, rangeland, wildlife

Short Bibliography

Long Bibliography

Central Mississippi River BasinCMRBColumbia, MO (Goodwater Creek Experimental Watershed)19712011490CEAP, SCAND6 – Prairie PeninsulaGrain cropping systems, some pasture, riparian forestLong Bibliography
Central Plains Experimental RangeCPERCheyenne, WY; Nunn, CO19392011865LTER, NEON, GRACEnet, NADP, NutNet, SCAND10 – Central PlainsWheat-fallow, rangeland, beef cattleLong Bibliography
Eastern Corn BeltECBColumbus, OH19742012N/ACEAP, GRACEnetD7 – Appalachians / Cumberland PlateauCropland, swine, dairy poultry

Short Bibliography

Long Bibliography

Great BasinGBBoise, ID19612012239CEAP, CZO, NADP, SCAND15 – Great BasinRangeland, beef cattle, wildlifeShort and Long Bibliographies
Gulf Atlantic Coastal PlainGACPTifton, Georgia; (Little River Experimental Watershed)19652011334CEAP, NADP, SCAND3 – SoutheastCotton, peanuts, corn, vegetables (~50% irrigated); poultry, beef cattleShort and Long Bibliographies
Jornada Experimental RangeJERLas Cruces, NM; Monticello, UT (TNC Dugout Ranch)19122011780CEAP, COSMOS, LTER, NEON, NWERN, SCAN, UV-B MRP, USCRN, WNBRD14 – Desert SouthwestRangeland, beef cattle, wildlife

Short Bibliography

Long Bibliography

Kellogg Biological StationKBSHickory Corners, MI1987201213LTER, AmeriFlux, NADP, NutNetD5 – Great LakesRow crops, forage crops, bioenergy crops, mixed grasses, prairie, forest, dairy

Short Bibliography

Long Bibliography

Lower Chesapeake BayLCBBeltsville, MD, Eastern Shore, MD/DE (LCB Choptank River Watershed)191020122600CASTnet, CEAP, COSMOS, EOS, NADP, GRACEnet, SCAN, UV-B MRPD2 – Mid AtlanticCropland, poultry, dairy, forages, pasture, horticulture

Short Bibliography

Long Bibliography

Lower Mississippi River BasinLMRBOxford, MS1981201221.3COSMOS, CEAP, SURFRAD, SCAND8 – Ozarks ComplexCotton, corn, soybeans, rice, catfish, sugar caneLong Bibliography
Northern PlainsNPMandan, ND (Northern Great Plains Research Laboratory)191220119.7NEON, CEAP, GRACEnet, REAP, SCAND9 – Northern PlainsSmall grains, row crops, beef cattle on grazing landsShort and Long Bibliographies
Platte River/High Plains AquiferPRHPALincoln, NE1912201216500AmeriFlux, GRACEnet, REAP, SCAND6 – Prairie PeninsulaCropland, rangeland, beef cattle, biofuels

Short Bibliography

Long Bibliography

R.J. Cook Agronomy FarmCAFPullman, WA199920110.577 LTAP, GRACEnet, REAP, NADP, SCAND15 – Great BasinWheat, barley, pulses (peas, lentils, chickpeas)

Short Bibliography

Long Bibliography

Southern PlainsSPEl Reno, OK (Little Washita River/Fort Cobb Reservoir Experimental Watersheds)1948,196120111,423CEAP, COSMOS, SCAND11 – Southern PlainsBeef cattle, winter wheat, pasture, forages, prairie

Short Bibliography

Long Bibliography

Texas GulfTGTemple, TX19372012N/ACEAP, GRACEnet, NutNet, LTBE, SCAND11 – Southern PlainsCropland, rangeland, pasture, remnant prairieLong Bibliography
Upper Chesapeake BayUCBUniversity Park, PA (Upper Chesapeake Bay Experimental Watersheds)196820111,127CEAP, GRACEnet, SCAND2 – Mid AtlanticRow crops, dairy, pasture, forestShort Bibliography
Upper Mississippi River BasinUMRBAmes, IA  (Upper Mississippi River Basin Experimental Watersheds); Roseomount, MN (ARS St. Paul);  Platteville, WI (University of Wisconsin Platteville,Pioneer Farm); Morris, MN (UMRB Swan Lake Research Farm)199220116,200AmeriFlux, CEAP, GRACEnet, SCAND6 – Prairie PeninsulaCorn-soybean with livestock (swine, beef, dairy)Short and Long Bibliographies
Walnut Gulch Experimental WatershedWGEWTombstone,AZ (Walnut Gulch Experimental Watershed); Green Valley, AZ (Santa Rita Experimental Range)19532011150Ameriflux, CEAP, COSMOS, EOS, GRACEnet, SCAND14 – Desert SouthwestRangeland, beef cattle, wildlife

Short Bibliography

Long Bibliography

ABOUT LTAR

 

The USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Long-Term Agroecosystem Research network consists of 18 Federal and university agricultural research sites with an average of over 50 years of history. The goal of this research network is to ensure sustained crop and livestock production and ecosystem services from agroecosystems, and to forecast and verify the effects of environmental trends, public policies, and emerging technologies.