Pairing Optical and Flux Measurements Across Nine Ecosystems in North America and Euorpe

Abstract:

We have established a network of nine field locations where continuous, canopy-level optical sampling occurs in tandem with ecosystem-atmosphere flux observations. These field sampling efforts are part of the broader SpecNet network, and address several of SpecNet’s core objectives. One of these objectives is to define best practices for sensor installation, data management, and data analysis in the context of paired optical-flux observations. Participants at each of the nine field locations have installed sensors and are collecting data in a way that will facilitate cross-site comparisons. Work is currently under way to develop data management and data analysis protocols. Another objective is to use the paired optical-flux observations to better understand how optical data are related to vegetation properties, especially those related to ecosystem metabolism. Although many studies have investigated linkages between vegetation properties and optical signals in the past, most have done so at individual sites, making it difficult to broadly apply their findings. During initial site selection for the current study, a core requirement was that the final collection of participating sites needed to represent a variety of global ecosystems. The final group of sites includes agricultural croplands, deciduous and evergreen forests, and woodlands, all with unique phenology and controls on ecosystem metabolism. We propose that cross-site synthesis of paired optical-flux data will lead to a deeper understanding of how optical data are related to vegetation properties. Here we present an overview of progress toward defining best practices and preliminary data and insights gathered since the establishment of this network over the past year.