FrontMatter -- Preface -- Acknowledgments -- Contents -- Executive Summary -- 1 The National Ecological Observatory Network -- 2 Environmental Issues of National Importance and the Role of the National Ecological Observatory Network -- 3 Concept and Implementation of the National Ecological Observatory Network -- 4 Effect of the National Ecological Observatory Network on the Scientific Community, Education, and Public Outreach -- 5 A Synthesis of Early Concepts of the National Ecological Observatory Network and a New Vision -- 6 Findings and Recommendations -- References -- Appendixes -- Appendix A Committee on the National Ecological Observatory Network Biographical Sketches -- Appendix B National Research Council Workshop on the National Ecological Observatory Network -- Appendix C Federal Agencies and Professional Societies that Voiced their Support for the National Ecological Observatory Network through the National Research Council Workshop and Web Forum -- Color Plates.