Flux Towers: Part II

Flux tower eddy covariance instruments measure CO2 flux between an ecosystem and the atmosphere. Observed CO2 fluxes (also called NEE, Net Ecosystem Exchange) can be correlated with locally measured solar intensity, temperature, humidity etc. With enough data, a detailed picture of the local response of the ecosystem to environmental variables to be built up. Flux [...]

October 12, 2009  Tags: , , ,   Posted in: Carbon, Climate, ecosystem model, Forests  No Comments

Flux Towers: Part I

Most solar energy absorbed at the earth’s surface is radiated back into space. For every high energy solar photon absorbed, about 20 degraded thermal photons are eventually radiated back. Ecosystems hitch a ride on this process. The starting point is of course plant photosynthesis which converts sunlight into chemical energy:В  . The reverse process (respiration, [...]

September 24, 2009  Tags: , , ,   Posted in: Carbon, Forests, Uncategorized  One Comment