Whroo Flux Data Release 2024_v1 

This release consists of flux tower measurements of the exchange of energy and mass between the surface and the atmospheric boundary-layer using eddy covariance techniques. Data were processed using PyFluxPro (v3.4.17) as described by Isaac et al. (2017). PyFluxPro produces a final, gap-filled product with Net Ecosystem Exchange (NEE) partitioned into Gross Primary Productivity (GPP) and Ecosystem Respiration (ER).

The site is classified as box woodland, dominated by two main eucalypt species: Eucalyptus microcarpa (grey box) and Eucalyptus leucoxylon (yellow gum). The site has an elevation of 165 m. Mean annual precipitation measured by the nearby Bureau of Meteorology site is 558 mm. Maximum temperatures range from 12.6 °C (in July) to 29.8 °C (in January), while minimum temperatures range from 3.2 °C (in July) to 14.2 °C (in February). Maximum temperatures vary on a seasonal basis by approximately 17.2 °C and minimum temperatures by 11.0 °C.

The instrument mast is 36 m tall. Heat, water vapour and carbon dioxide measurements are taken using the open-path eddy flux technique. Temperature, humidity, wind speed, wind direction, rainfall, incoming and reflected shortwave radiation and net radiation are measured above the canopy. Soil heat fluxes are measured and soil moisture content is gathered using time domain reflectometry. 

We at TERN acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians throughout Australia, New Zealand and all nations. We honour their profound connections to land, water, biodiversity and culture and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.

Whroo flux station was originally established by the University of Western Australia in October 2011 as part of an ARC Linkage project "More bang for your carbon buck: carbon, biodiversity and water balance consequences of whole-catchment carbon farming" (LP0990038) Dr Ross Michael Thompson, A/Prof Jason Beringer, Dr Timothy Richard Cavagnaro, Prof Ralph Charles MacNally, Dr Patrick John Baker, Mr Mark Eigenraam, Mr Leon Metzeling. The site is affiliated to TERN and is now managed by the University of Melbourne. 

The purpose of the Whroo site is to:

• assess how revegetation affects the interaction among carbon dynamics, water regimes (quality, quantity and frequency) and biodiversity across the landscape (above- and below-ground terrestrial, and aquatic ecosystems)
• develop a robust observational and modelling platform for soil-plant-atmosphere carbon and water fluxes for a range of land-use practices, including carbon farming, in these landscapes
• assess how carbon farming can be modified to increase biodiversity conservation.

 

All flux raw data is subject to the quality control process OzFlux QA/QC to generate data from L1 to L6. Levels 3 to 6 are available for re-use. Datasets contain Quality Controls flags which will indicate when data quality is poor and has been filled from alternative sources. For more details, refer to Isaac et al. (2017).