One key lesson is the need for continuous long term monitoring of any environmental variable. (realclimate.org)
An argument could certainly be made that continuity of a series is more important for long term monitoring. (realclimate.org)
Through the 1980's and 1990's we saw a deterioration in many key long term monitoring programs, the best example being the reduction in the number of USGS gaging stations. (blogs.nature.com)