OzFlux

A network of towers around Australia continuously measures the exchanges (flux) of carbon dioxide, water vapour and energy between the terrestrial ecosystem and atmosphere. This network of towers is the OzFlux Facility of TERN and is in turn part of a global network of over 400 flux towers, most of which are located in the northern hemisphere. While the OzFlux Facility is coordinated by CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research  based in Canberra, it is a national partnership with significant contributions from universities and research agencies around Australia.

OzFlux provides a common set of core measurements at multiple sites and time scales to improve understanding of ecosystem function and biogeochemical cycles for use in ecosystem and land surface models.

OzFlux data are being used to improve our understanding of the response of carbon and water cycles in Australian ecosystems to climate variability, disturbance (fire, insects), land management and future changes in precipitation, temperature and CO₂ levels. OzFlux data are also being used to test and improve CABLE, the land-surface model in ACCESS being developed jointly by CSIRO, the Bureau of Meteorology and Australian universities.

OzFlux is providing researchers with data to answer the following questions:

1. What are the key constraints to ecosystem productivity?
2. How resilient is ecosystem productivity in the face of climate change and variability?
3. What is the current water balance of the ecosystem and how will it change in future?

Answers to these questions are central to informing land management and climate adaptation and mitigation policies.

OzFlux tower network and parameters measured at each site

Example of OzFlux measurement site

Facility Director:

Dr Helen Cleugh
CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research
E:
www.ozflux.org.au

If you are in Adelaide on Tuesday 27 March, you might be interested in attending The ACEAS Great Debate as a prelude to the TERN Symposium.

Registration to the 3rd TERN Annual National Symposium is now open. Program and registration information are on the symposium webpage.

TERN's AusCover Facility is holding a Data Users Workshop in Brisbane on 8 March. Visit the web page for links to the program and information on how to register.

TERN's AusPlots Sub-Facility is holding a Field Method Training workshop at the Renmark and Calperum Station Supersite in South Australia, 4-9 March. Limited places available, so get in quick!

In our December newsletter the TERN Director summarises — and celebrates — the huge effort that has gone into creating the TERN network so far. We introduce you to the complex world of the Australian Supersite Network. At workshops in Adelaide and Perth, TERN facilities work with various collaborators; we invite you to get involved in TERN; and there's some wild talk. You'll have to read the newsletter to find out more.

New research supersite will tell woodlands climate story (media release)

What would it take to get you to share (both deposit and use) data in TERN facility portals? If this question interests you join our discussion on LinkedIn.