The research programme is organised around four themes, or Foci:

• Overall structure
• Focus 1: Ecosystem Physiology
• Focus 2: Change in Ecosystem Structure
• Focus 3: Agroecology and Production Systems
• Focus 4: Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning

GCTE-wide Initiatives

An important objective of GCTE is to produce synthesis on critical topics that are fundamental for the development of science relevant to global change in the terrestrial biosphere. The syntheses are usually initiated with the organisation of a workshop or a series of workshops which result in specific and synthesis papers. GCTE is also committed to foster and produce integrative science which is the result of different disciplines, techniques, and measurements. GCTE is also a major contributor to various IGBP-wide activities.

• GCTE synthesis (1992-1997)
• Non-linear Responses of Ecosystems to Global Change (restricted access)
• IGBP-IHDP-WCRP Joint Carbon Project
• IGBP Transects

Implementation Plan

GCTE's research strategy is based on an Implementation Plan, (first published in 1992 and updated in 1998), which provides the detailed framework for a coordinated international research effort. The development and implementation of this plan is done under the supervision of the Scientific Steering Committee with the support of the International Project Office and Focus Offices. 

• The entire implementation plan (PDF)
• Focus 1 (HTML, PDF)
• Focus 2 (HTML, PDF)
• Focus 3 (HTML, PDF)
• Focus 4 (HTML, PDF)

Core Research Projects

The bulk of GCTE's Core Research Projects is built on existing research projects contributed by a large number of scientists and institutions, and supported by many agencies around the world. Where critical gaps exist, GCTE, in partnership with national and regional agencies, attempts to initiate new research projects. One or two scientists lead each of the specific tasks with the GCTE Core Research Project which has involved over 1,000 research scientists and research projects worth USD 47,5 Million.

• List of GCTE Core Research Projects

GCTE Networks

The contributing individual projects are organised by the Activity and Task leaders into a coherent programme through formation of networks by using mechanisms such as common experimental protocols, standardised methodologies and databases, model comparisons, and synthesis workshops.

• Elevated CO₂ Network
• Network of Experimental Warming Studies (NEWS)
• Biosphere-Atmosphere Stable Isotope Network (BASIN)
• Wheat Network
• Roots and Tubers Network
• Rice Network
• Tropical Cereals Network
• Grain Legumes Network
• Late Blight Network
• Soil Organic Matter Network
• Erosion Network
• Network of species removal experiment