The GCTE Erosion Network, and its constituent projects, has been accepted by the GCTE Scientific Steering Committee (SSC) as contributing to the GCTE Core Research Programme. GCTE Core Research is defined as large-scale, integrative research that is global in scope and significance. The projects within the GCTE Core Research Programme specifically meet GCTE objectives, as set out in the GCTE Operational Plan (IGBP Report No. 21), and come from two sources: (i) initiation directly by the SSC; and (ii) projects, or components thereof, accepted by the SSC which contribute directly to the Operational Plan, and which form a part of a formal GCTE structure (network, consortium, etc.).

Formal participation in the Network, and hence as a contributor to the GCTE Core Research Programme, brings several advantages, together with some obligations on the part of the member. It:

facilitates the planning of research projects addressing aspects of global change and terrestrial ecosystems by providing a soundly-based intellectual and organizational framework for research, with overall aims, approach and implementation developed and endorsed by the international science community.

adds to the scientific value of individual experimental, observational and modelling studies and assists in their interpretation by organising networks and consortia which, for example widen the range of observational studies and extend their temporal and spatial coverage, promote common methodologies and protocols, and provide data sets for model validation and intercomparison.

promotes the rapid communication of scientific ideas and results through meetings and publications, and by facilitating disciplinary and interdisciplinary liaison at the international level between individuals and research groups.

provides assistance to contributing projects in obtaining funds from national and international sources by writing letters of support and lobbying, where appropriate.

assists in the cost-effective deployment of major capital equipment and facilitates such as FACE by providing the scientific framework for their phased deployment and assisting in their collaborative use.

encourages the full involvement of developing countries through GCTE participation in the START regional research networks.

promotes close working links with other relevant international programmes and studies, particularly those of IGBP, IHDP, WCRP, ICSU, SCOPE, IUBS and the CGIAR.

promote the concepts of GCTE and IGBP science, and the results obtained from the GCTE Core Research Programme, to ensure their wider recognition among the international research and policy communities.

Participation in the GCTE Core Research Programme requires a commitment to:

participate in the relevant GCTE Task(s) for which the project was accepted through activities such as implementation and synthesis workshops, model intercomparisons, and joint observational studies.

carry out the project in accordance with the relevant aspects of the GCTE Operational Plan (IGBP Report No.21) using agreed methods and protocols wherever possible.

make data and models available to the wider GCTE community, in accordance with protocols for data and model exchange developed by GCTE networks and consortia, and with due regard to publication "rights".

keep the GCTE Core Project Office informed on an annual basis of (i) major changes to the project objectives, description, and participating research organisation changes in the annual budget and the major funding agencies; and (ii) changes to the number of scientific and technical staff working on the project, and provide the Core Project Office with a list of publications arising from the project.

acknowledge participation in the GCTE Core Research Programme in publications arising from the project by inserting in the Acknowledgements the sentence "This work contributes to the Global Change and Terrestrial Ecosystems (GCTE) Core Project of the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme (IGBP)".