Gries, C.; Henshaw, D.; Strachan, S.; Brown, R.F.; Jones, C.; Laney, C.; Zdravkowic, B.; Cary, R.; Downing, J.; Kennedy, A.; Martin, M.; Morse, J.; Peterson, F.; Porter, J.; Read, J.; Rettig, A.; Sheldon, W. 2014. Best practices for sensor networks and sensor data management, Federation of Earth Science Information Partners (ESIP). [http://wiki.esipfed.org/index.php/EnviroSensing_Cluster (1 December 2014)].
This document on best practices for sensor networks and sensor data management provides
information for establishing and managing a fixed environmental sensor network for on or near
surface point measurements with the purpose of long-term or “permanent” environmental data
acquisition. It does not cover remotely sensed data (satellite imagery, aerial photography, etc.),
although a few marginal cases where this distinction is not entirely clear are discussed, e.g.,
phenology and animal behavior webcams. The best practices covered in this document may not
all apply to temporary or transitory sensing efforts such as distributed “citizen science”
initiatives, which do not focus on building infrastructure. Furthermore, it is assumed that the
scientific goals for establishing a sensor network are thought out and discussed with all
members of the team responsible for establishing and maintaining the sensor network. i.e.,
appropriateness of certain sensors or installations to answer specific questions is not discussed.
Information is provided here for various stages of establishing and maintaining an environmental
sensor network: planning a completely new system, upgrading an existing system, improving
streaming data management, and archiving data.