corresponding value for a number of microhabitats (high spatial resolution) found
next to the meteo-station.
3. To validate reality-terrain: the great concentration of biophysical information
gathered at the same plot of a reference ecosystem makes an IMS the ideal site
for the necessary field validation required to interpret the spectral information
acquired by remote sensing.
In short, we can consider an IMS as a monitoring hotspot, where heterogeneous
data are collected at the same spatial location. The concentration of sampling points
can be used to generate raster maps for IMS and thus layers of information can be
spatially superimposed and analysed in GIS (Geographical Information System).
Perhaps the most practical advantage of such an integrated approach is the cost savings
associated with routine measurements to provide data for a wide variety of research
purposes as well as for management. Our IMSs are a good example of multidisciplinary research to generate and apply scientific knowledge (Fahey et al. 2015).
16.6 Collection of Long-Term Data Series
The success of any global change programme depends on the quality of the data it
collects, manages, and disseminates (Cook and Lineback 2008). Our monitoring
programme aims to use information compiled in long-term research conducted in
Sierra Nevada by naturalists and scientists belonging to different disciplines over
the last several decades. We have collected information from several sources, such
as reviews of historical literature published by naturalist scientists (up to 1960, see
Titos-Martínez 2002; Ruano and Tinaut 2003; Garzón-Gutiérrez 2012); review of
recent literature (after 1970); and information from the grey literature (project
authorizations and research reports) related to the Sierra Nevada Protected Area.
The aims of our recent literature review are (i) to gather all the scientific publications carried out in Sierra Nevada in the last 50 years; (ii) to identify the main
research areas; and (iii) to geolocate the field sampling points. Our review in Web
of Science (WoS) has resulted in a total of 1,038 publications related to the Sierra
Nevada massif during the 1970–2015 period. The articles were distributed among
66 Web of Science categories. The five top-ranked research areas were “Ecology”,
“Plant Sciences”, “Geosciences”, “Environmental Sciences”, and “Zoology”. Using
the information provided in each publication, we created a spatial database with the
locations where the research was conducted. The preliminary results reveal that
forests and aquatic systems (particularly alpine lakes) were the ecosystem types
where more research was done.
We are also interested in compiling information on the current research being
done in Sierra Nevada. Thus, we compiled information from research authorization
documents for the Sierra Nevada Protected Area, from 2002 to 2015. Authorization
documents contain basic information concerning the research activity, date, and
location of the research area. After categorizing the raw information according to
16 Monitoring Global Change in High Mountains
393
next to the meteo-station.
3. To validate reality-terrain: the great concentration of biophysical information
gathered at the same plot of a reference ecosystem makes an IMS the ideal site
for the necessary field validation required to interpret the spectral information
acquired by remote sensing.
In short, we can consider an IMS as a monitoring hotspot, where heterogeneous
data are collected at the same spatial location. The concentration of sampling points
can be used to generate raster maps for IMS and thus layers of information can be
spatially superimposed and analysed in GIS (Geographical Information System).
Perhaps the most practical advantage of such an integrated approach is the cost savings
associated with routine measurements to provide data for a wide variety of research
purposes as well as for management. Our IMSs are a good example of multidisciplinary research to generate and apply scientific knowledge (Fahey et al. 2015).
16.6 Collection of Long-Term Data Series
The success of any global change programme depends on the quality of the data it
collects, manages, and disseminates (Cook and Lineback 2008). Our monitoring
programme aims to use information compiled in long-term research conducted in
Sierra Nevada by naturalists and scientists belonging to different disciplines over
the last several decades. We have collected information from several sources, such
as reviews of historical literature published by naturalist scientists (up to 1960, see
Titos-Martínez 2002; Ruano and Tinaut 2003; Garzón-Gutiérrez 2012); review of
recent literature (after 1970); and information from the grey literature (project
authorizations and research reports) related to the Sierra Nevada Protected Area.
The aims of our recent literature review are (i) to gather all the scientific publications carried out in Sierra Nevada in the last 50 years; (ii) to identify the main
research areas; and (iii) to geolocate the field sampling points. Our review in Web
of Science (WoS) has resulted in a total of 1,038 publications related to the Sierra
Nevada massif during the 1970–2015 period. The articles were distributed among
66 Web of Science categories. The five top-ranked research areas were “Ecology”,
“Plant Sciences”, “Geosciences”, “Environmental Sciences”, and “Zoology”. Using
the information provided in each publication, we created a spatial database with the
locations where the research was conducted. The preliminary results reveal that
forests and aquatic systems (particularly alpine lakes) were the ecosystem types
where more research was done.
We are also interested in compiling information on the current research being
done in Sierra Nevada. Thus, we compiled information from research authorization
documents for the Sierra Nevada Protected Area, from 2002 to 2015. Authorization
documents contain basic information concerning the research activity, date, and
location of the research area. After categorizing the raw information according to
16 Monitoring Global Change in High Mountains
393