Tower-Based Optical Sensing Architecture for Facilitating the Investigation of Fine Scale Biosphere-Atmosphere Interactions via Optical-Flux Data Integration

Abstract:

Our ability to forecast ecosystem functions and climate at regional and global scales has significantly advanced. However, little is known about how local phenomena such as variations in water and carbon fluxes at a fine temporal scale relate to large scale phenomena and vice versa. The EcoSpec project aims to identify patterns and associations between high frequency optical data and meteorological and biological measurements for investigating near-surface biosphere-atmosphere interactions. To meet the data needs of this investigation, we are constructing a tower-based system that integrates multiple sensor types including a radiometer, thermal infrared sensor, shadowband direct-diffuse radiometer, albedometer, and a RGB camera. This optical tower will be a self-sufficient and easily deployable unit using solar power and cellular data communications for data transfer. Data flow, system architecture, and networking are designed to transmit data wirelessly to a remote location near real-time and maintain versatility to support anticipated upgrades. In this presentation, we will discuss this critical first step—a multi-sensor optical tower system—as a means of collecting optical data toward new investigations for biosphere-atmosphere interactions. This system will provide valuable insights into facilitating an optical sensor network for analyzing ecosystem fluxes across ecosystems.