Research Resources
Comprehensive Tools for Ecological Research
TERN provides essential research resources to support researchers by publishing open access, quality-controlled Big Data collected through our multi-scale ecosystem observatory. Our observatory operates from continental to regional to local scales, capturing real-time data on vegetation dynamics, soil conditions, carbon cycling, water fluxes, and ecosystem responses to environmental change.
We take pride in delivering only the highest quality data, analytical tools, and research resources to researchers from academia, government, industry, and community organisations. This enables users to address society’s grand challenges and achieve a better understanding of drivers of ecosystem integrity through robust research data collection.
Explore our research resources today to enhance your ecological studies and improve your understanding of ecosystem processes. If you’d like to explore other TERN data, tools, or research-related topics – or if you’re simply curious – you can access our TERN Portal, call us at 07 3365 9097, or email tern@uq.edu.au.
Research Resources: What We Offer
Each year, TERN and ANU publish the Australia’s Environment Report, summarised as the Australia’s Environment Condition Score (ECS). Raw data used to derive the ECS are available as downloadable CSV files. Scorecards include Environmental Condition Scores for states and territories, federal and state electorates, local government areas, statistical areas, natural resources management regions, National Parks, Ramsar wetlands, drainage basins, river regions, and bioregions. Accessing this research repository allows researchers to integrate ECS data into advanced analyses and long-term environmental studies.
TERN is internationally recognised for developing standardised protocols that underpin systematic research data collection from field surveys, biodiversity monitoring, and sensor usage. Our web-based Field Survey Apps allow researchers to enter data directly on smartphones or tablets, with automatic uploading to TERN’s research data repository for analysis. These Data Collection Protocols are widely adopted by other agencies, including the Ecological Monitoring System Australia (EMSA) and the Threatened Species Index, ensuring consistency and reliability in ecosystem data.
The TERN Australia Soil Sample Collection and Herbarium Collection, located in Adelaide, South Australia, holds over 100,000 vegetation and soil samples collected from approximately 1,000 sites across Australia, representing every major ecosystem. Specimens are verified by professional taxonomists from state, territory, and national herbaria, making this collection nationally and internationally unique. Every sample is linked to detailed environmental context data in our research repository, offering a comprehensive understanding of ecosystem condition, environmental interactions, and long-term change. Thousands of samples are borrowed annually by scientists worldwide to support research in environmental science, agriculture, and pharmaceutical development.
For the Australian and international scientific communities, TERN provides access to Big Data, site-based infrastructure, and samples. Researchers using TERN research resources are encouraged to acknowledge TERN in their publications. Based on bibliographic searches via Web of Science and similar platforms, TERN maintains a detailed database of publications that result from the use of TERN data or observatory sites. Since 2010, the database has grown towards 3,000 peer-reviewed scientific journal articles or books. This includes studies in ecology, environmental science, agriculture, and even pharmaceutical development. TERN publishes a cumulative annual list of publications as a service to the ecological community, helping researchers track the impact of TERN’s research repository.
TERN’s education strategy focuses on developing resources tailored to the needs expressed by our ecological community. Modules are designed to guide users from foundational awareness of ecosystem concepts, through intermediate understanding, to advanced applications of TERN data. Educational resources include hands-on exercises using TERN research resources, tutorials for web-based field survey apps, and case studies highlighting real-world ecosystem research. By providing structured learning opportunities, TERN ensures that students, early-career researchers, and experienced ecologists can all make the most of our research data collection tools.
TERN offers a robust support system for users seeking assistance with data, tools, or research methodologies. The TERN knowledge base is a central hub where users can search for documentation, guides, and FAQs related to the research repository. For more personalised help, users can open a support ticket or contact the team directly via email. TERN’s dedicated support staff respond promptly to inquiries, providing guidance on accessing datasets, using field survey apps, interpreting data, and applying TERN research resources in projects. This ensures researchers, educators, and community members can fully leverage TERN’s data and tools to drive high-quality ecological research.
Access TERN Research Resources, Datasets, Tools, and Support
For more information or assistance, or to explore TERN’s full suite of datasets, analytical tools, field apps, educational resources, or support services, visit TERN Portal, call us at 07 3365 9097, or email tern@uq.edu.au. Whether you’re conducting advanced ecosystem research, teaching ecological concepts, or simply curious about TERN’s research resources, our team is here to help you access, understand, and apply the data you need.