Continuous long-term measurements of soil-plant-atmosphere variables at a forest site

The system involved in conducting continuous long-term measurements of soil plant atmosphere variables at a boreal-forest site in Sweden is described. The system is being utilized as part of the Northern hemisphere climate-Processes land-surface Experiment (NOPEX). The long-term data acquisition activities at the Central Tower Site are outlined, including: the atmospheric flux measurements, ecophysiological flux measurements, atmospheric profile and radiation measurements, ground measurements, rainfall and throughfall measurements, and heat storage. Results from 5 yr of operations at the tower show that it is possible to set up and operate successfully a continuous, long-term monitoring of a boreal-forest soil vegetation atmosphere transfer system.