We have built a data system for storing and delevering environmental data. The project started in 2001 in so called Jyväsjärvi projects and continued in Päijänne OTY project from 2004 to 2006. Lake Päijänne LTER is a logical continuum for them.

Our objectives are:

• Establish an open and stable research infrasturcture with good resources. The objective is to support high level research in the short and long run.
• Develop high level research units which have both national and international attraction and which are internationally networked.
• Promote know-how, knowledge and sustainable use of resources in environmental issues, based on research.

Guidelines are:

• Openness
• Constancy
• Multidisciplinarity
• Integration of resources
• Free access to knowledge

Lake Päijänne is:

• One of the three greatest lakes in Finland.
• The deepest lake in Finland (94 m).
• Loaded by cellulose and paper industry, but recovering.
• A lake 300 000 people livin in its backyard.
• The raw water source of Helsinki area. Over one million people are drinking its water.
• The most studied lake of Finland since 1960's.