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The Environmental Change Network (ECN) is the UK's long-term
environmental monitoring programme. It is designed to collect, store,
analyse and interpret long-term data based on a set of key physical,
chemical and biological variables which drive and respond to environmental
change at a range of terrestrial and freshwater sites across the UK.
ECN was launched in 1992. Monitoring started formally
in 1993 at terrestrial sites and 1994 at freshwater sites. The data
are stored in a central database and are
available through a variety of data access
methods.
ECN is a multi-agency programme sponsored by a consortium of
14 UK government departments and agencies. These organisations
contribute to the programme through funding either site monitoring and/or
network co-ordination activities.
ECN is currently developing plans for a new targeted monitoring network,
the Environmental Change
Biodiversity Network (ECBN), to
assess the impacts of climate change and
atmospheric pollution on biodiversity. The proposed network
will be linked to the existing Environmental Change Network, substantially
increasing its spatial coverage across the UK.
ECN is an active partner in
international networks.
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