TERN is Australia's Ecosystem Observatory
TERN provides world-class research infrastructure to monitor and understand changes to our environment and climate and enable predictions of future risks.
More results...
About TERN
TERN measures key terrestrial ecosystem attributes over time from continental scale to field sites at hundreds of representative locations and openly provides environmental monitoring and assessment model-ready data that enable those undertaking environment and ecology research to detect and interpret changes in ecosystems.
Data Discovery Portal
Discover, access and reuse datasets derived from TERN observatory measured by systematic site-surveys, remote-sensing, model-derived and in-situ sensors.
OPEN DATA
- Continental-scale gridded remote sensing, soil and landscape products
- Plot-based soil and vegetation surveillance monitoring data
- Aggregated state government survey data
- Calibration and validation data for remote sensing
- Time series flux tower, phenocam and acoustic monitoring sensor data
DATA
INFRASTRUCTURE
- Cloud-based virtual desktop to run and share experiments (CoESRA)
- Data submission, harmonisation and retrieval of ecological data (SHaRED)
- Discovery, mapping and analysis of landscape-scale ecosystem datasets (Data Visualiser)
- Cloud-based analysis, synthesis and training platform
STANDARD METHODS, PROTOCOLS & COLLECTIONS
- Catalogued plant and soil sample collection
- Nationally consistent field methods
- Guidelines for calibration and validation of remotely-sensed data
- Field data collection apps
SITE-BASED INSTRUMENTS & MONITORING
- Eddy covariance flux towers
- Heat flux plates
- Radiometers
- Anemometers
- Infrared Gas Analysers
- Spectrometers
- CosmOz soil moisture meters
- Groundwater bores
- Ecoacoustic sensors
- Phenocams
- Terrestrial laser scanners
- UAV/drones
- Camera traps
- Photopoints and more
WE HAVE MORE THAN:
observing sites
collections
international partners
using TERN data
for datasets
samples
Latest News
Director’s Update, November 2025
Congratulations to Dr Suzanne Prober on her ESA Gold Medal, highlights from an inspiring week at ESA25 in Adelaide, and the launch of TERN’s first index for threatened and near-threatened reptiles – revealing critical insights into Australia’s imperilled species.
Reaching New Heights: bringing the lab to the high country
Until a few years ago, venturing up Australia’s highest mountain to study alpine ecosystems would have significantly limited what equipment could be brought along and, by extension, which research questions could be asked. But now researchers and students have the Australian Mountain Research Facility Mobile Lab — and it’s changed everything.
Tapping the research potential of the national Threatened Species Index
The Threatened Species Index is a critical tool for measuring and understanding Australia’s biodiversity trends. To strengthen and expand its capabilities, the TSX recently held a workshop that brought together key users, including researchers from local universities and representatives from NGOs and government. The goal was to better understand their research needs, helping to shape a robust research agenda that supports the use of TSX data to address critical questions in Australian conservation biology, while also identifying ways to build TSX capacity and utility.
TERN’s Regional Ambassadors: your local connection to Australia’s Ecosystem Observatory
Ever wondered who to contact about TERN in your state
Upcoming Events
2025 eResearch Australasia Conference
Hosted by Australasian eResearch Organisations (AeRO) Inc., the conference is the premiere event for those interested in eResearch and actively transforming research via information technology. The conference provides an exciting
The 19th International Society of Ethnobiology (ISE) Congress 2026
The International Society of Ethnobiology (ISE), founded in 1988, is a global network focused on preserving the links between human societies and the natural world. It provides a unique platform
ESA 2025
ESA 2025 will highlight the important science of ecology in Australia – across all its varied forms – and offer valuable opportunities to collaborate and strengthen the connections between theory,
If have a question for TERN, you can call us on 07 3365 9097, email the Engagement team at tern@uq.edu.au, or submit your enquiry online.
Get the TERN Newsletter
Project updates, data releases, research findings, and users stories direct to your inbox.