A survey of sensor network use and data management among academic ecologists

Automated sensors are ubiquitous in ecological research networks and academic-led research – the 'long-tail' of ecological research. We conducted a survey of academic ecologists to assess the extent of sensor use and how data are managed. Respondents were from 135 groups representing>1,800 researchers from 92 US universities; these collectively match the expenditure, sensor use, and data volumes of several large national research networks. Few reported use of metadata and workflows and almost 70% archive data locally and not in institutional archives, though most recognized the importance of doing so. Most indicated that better access to tools and cyber expertise would enhance their research. Improving access to such datasets may include improved software tools and access to expert knowledge, targeted training, high-profile studies that showcase the participation of academic researchers in large scale syntheses, and incentives for industry to develop, adopt, or adapt technologies that improve data documentation, discovery, and sharing.