Daly Uncleared Flux Data Release 2022_v2 

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 (v3.4.7) 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 woodland savanna with an overstory co-dominated by tree species Eucalyptus tetrodonta, Corymbia latifolia, Terminalia grandiflora, Sorghum sp. and Heteropogon triticeus. Average canopy height measures 16.4 m. Elevation of the site is close to 110  m and mean annual precipitation at a nearby Bureau of Meteorology site is 1,170 mm. Maximum temperatures range from 31.2  °C (in June) to 37.5 °C (in October), while minimum temperatures range from 12.6 °C (in July) to 23.8 °C (in January). Maximum temperatures range seasonally by 6.3 °C and minimum temperatures by 11.2 °C.

The instrument mast is 23 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.

Ancillary measurements taken at the site include LAI, leaf-scale physiological properties (gas exchange, leaf isotope ratios, nitrogen and chlorophyll concentrations), vegetation optical properties and soil physical properties. Airborne based remote sensing (Lidar and hyperspectral measurements) was carried out across the site in September 2008. 

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.
The site is managed by the University of Western Australia and Charles Darwin University. The flux station is part of the Australia OzFlux Network and the international FLUXNET Network. 

The purpose of Daly Uncleared Flux station is to:

• provide information as part of a larger network of flux stations established along the North Australian Tropical Transect (NATT) gradient, which extends ~1000 km south from Darwin 12.5 °S
• examine spatial patterns and processes of land-surface-atmosphere exchanges (radiation, heat, moisture, CO₂ and other trace gasses) across scales from leaf to landscape scales within Australian savannas
• determine the climate and ecosystem characteristics (physical structure, species composition, physiological function) that drive spatial and temporal variations of carbon, water and energy fluxes from north Australian savanna
• quantify fluxes over woodland savanna
• provide longer term measurements for future projects.

 

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).