For　a　wireless　sensor　network,　the　limited　sensing　and　communication　resources　give　rise　to　the　distinct　challenges　to　the　target　tracking　problem,　which　is　well　known　for　their　energy　consumption　when　compared　with　other　applications.　This　paper　investigates　the　characteristics　of　the　wireless　sensor　networks,　and　provides　a　fully-distributed　framework　for　the　energy-efficient　target　tracking　problem　in　the　three-dimensional　space.　The　proposed　cross-layer　framework　includes　five　modules,　namely,　detection,　election,　location,　prediction　and　routing　module.　We　have　shown　that　our　proposed　framework　can　be　easily　extended　to　the　case　with　multiple　targets　by　assuming　that　each　target　has　distinct　tag.　Simulation　result　has　also　shown　the　good　performance　of　the　proposed　cross-layer　framework.　©　2012　Springer-Verlag　GmbH.