Integrating continuous atmospheric boundary layer and tower-based flux measurements to advance understanding of land-atmosphere interactions

Manuel Helbig, Tobias Gerken, Eric R. Beamesderfer, Dennis D. Baldocchi, Tirtha Banerjee, Sébastien C. Biraud, William O.J. Brown, Nathaniel A. Brunsell, Elizabeth A. Burakowski, Sean P. Burns, Brian J. Butterworth, W. Stephen Chan, Kenneth J. Davis, Ankur R. Desai, Jose D. Fuentes, David Y. Hollinger, Natascha Kljun, Matthias Mauder, Kimberly A. Novick, John M. PerkinsDavid A. Rahn, Camilo Rey-Sanchez, Joseph A. Santanello, Russell L. Scott, Bijan Seyednasrollah, Paul C. Stoy, Ryan C. Sullivan, Jordi Vilà Guerau de Arellano, Sonia Wharton, Chuixiang Yi, Andrew D. Richardson

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

38 Scopus citations

Abstract

The atmospheric boundary layer mediates the exchange of energy, matter, and momentum between the land surface and the free troposphere, integrating a range of physical, chemical, and biological processes and is defined as the lowest layer of the atmosphere (ranging from a few meters to 3 km). In this review, we investigate how continuous, automated observations of the atmospheric boundary layer can enhance the scientific value of co-located eddy covariance measurements of land-atmosphere fluxes of carbon, water, and energy, as are being made at FLUXNET sites worldwide. We highlight four key opportunities to integrate tower-based flux measurements with continuous, long-term atmospheric boundary layer measurements: (1) to interpret surface flux and atmospheric boundary layer exchange dynamics and feedbacks at flux tower sites, (2) to support flux footprint modelling, the interpretation of surface fluxes in heterogeneous and mountainous terrain, and quality control of eddy covariance flux measurements, (3) to support regional-scale modeling and upscaling of surface fluxes to continental scales, and (4) to quantify land-atmosphere coupling and validate its representation in Earth system models. Adding a suite of atmospheric boundary layer measurements to eddy covariance flux tower sites, and supporting the sharing of these data to tower networks, would allow the Earth science community to address new emerging research questions, better interpret ongoing flux tower measurements, and would present novel opportunities for collaborations between FLUXNET scientists and atmospheric and remote sensing scientists.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number108509
JournalAgricultural and Forest Meteorology
Volume307
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 15 2021

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Forestry
  • Global and Planetary Change
  • Agronomy and Crop Science
  • Atmospheric Science

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