Introduction
The Konza Prairie LTER (KNZ) is dedicated to making all long-term data sets and key short-term data available to the scientific community and general public. Our goal is to have data online within two years of collection, processing and the completion of appropriate quality control procedures (as per LTER guidelines). We recognize that KNZ researchers have an obligation to submit all LTER-funded data to the KNZ database and to publish those data in a timely fashion. We also recognized that KNZ investigators must have a reasonable opportunity for first use of data they have collected. To meet these demands KNZ data are defined and processed for online access according to the protocols outlined below.
Type I: Core, long-term data sets (with associated metadata) that address KNZ objectives and hypotheses as outlined in LTER proposals and that are supported primarily by LTER funds. The goal is for these data to be available on-line two years after data are generated and quality control is completed. We recognize that some data sets will take longer to get on-line than others due to the time required for processing, analysis and adequate quality control or due to the demand for certain data by others.
Type II: Short-term data sets supported primarily by LTER funds, key short- or long-term data sets supported by other funding, graduate student data sets, one-time surveys, etc. Data sets in the above categories that are supported primarily by LTER funds must be made available to the data manager/PI’s and may be placed on line within 2 years of completing quality control - but only at the discretion of the data manager/PIs. Data not supported by LTER funds will be placed on line only if mutually agreed upon by the investigator(s) and the data manager/PIs.
Disclaimer
While substantial efforts are made to ensure the accuracy of data and documentation, all data are made available "as is". Please see the detailed “Data Use Policy” on this web site. The KNZ program makes no warranty nor assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information presented as part of this data catalog. Reference to commercial products, trademarks or manufacturers does not necessarily constitute endorsement.
Material published here is based in part upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Cooperative Agreement #DEB-1440484. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in the material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.
Finally we ask the authors of all publications, reports and proposals who use any data from Konza LTER program for acknowledgement using the following statement: "Data for XXX was supported by the NSF Long-Term Ecological Research Program at Konza Prairie Biological Station", where XXX is the list of data sets used in the publications, reports or proposals.