Energy and Mass Flux Measurements in Cumberland Plain Dry Sclerophyll Forest

Featuring eddy covariance measurements of energy and mass exchange between the surface and atmosphere in a dry sclerophyll forest on the Cumberland Plain. Data collection began in 2012, with a canopy profile system added in 2014 to improve net ecosystem exchange calculations. The site features a 23m canopy dominated by Eucalyptus moluccana and Eucalyptus fibrosa, with an elevation of 20m and mean annual precipitation of 800mm.

Use Cases

• Calculate net ecosystem exchange of CO2 by combining turbulent flux data with the storage term derived from canopy profile measurements (available from 2014 onwards).
• Analyze fluxes of water vapour, carbon dioxide, and heat quantified via open-path eddy flux technique from a 30m mast for atmospheric boundary-layer studies.
• Correlate understory species abundance and mistletoe infection monitoring data with carbon and water flux measurements to assess ecological impacts.
• Model energy balance using incoming and reflected shortwave and longwave radiation, net radiation, and soil heat flux measurements.
• Study canopy microclimate using humidity and CO2 profiles measured at eight levels within the canopy alongside temperature and wind speed data.

Strengths

• Data collection spans from 2012 to at least 2014, capturing seasonal and interannual variability.
• Includes a comprehensive suite of over 15 distinct measurement types, from turbulent fluxes to soil parameters and ecological monitoring.
• Site metadata is detailed, specifying a 23m average canopy height, 20m elevation, and 800mm mean annual precipitation.

Limitations

• Net ecosystem exchange calculations for 2012-2013 are incomplete as they lack the storage flux of CO2 and soil moisture/temperature data.
• The dataset description does not specify the total number of records or time-series resolution, making scale assessment difficult.
• Primary file formats listed are HTML and PNG, which may not be optimal for direct quantitative analysis without data extraction.

Provenance

Source

Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network's Data Discovery

Collection Method

Measurements gathered using eddy covariance techniques from a 30m tall mast, with additional canopy profiles, soil sensors, and ecological monitoring.

Time Range

2012 onwards, with a methodological enhancement in January 2014.

Freshness

null

Geography

Cumberland Plain, Australia, specifically a dry sclerophyll forest site within the endangered Cumberland Plain Woodland community.