Baseline Surface Radiation Network (BSRN)
G-Rad Group Provides Management Oversight for BSRN
In 1988, the World Climate Research Program (WCRP) promoted the implementation of the Baseline Surface Radiation Network (BSRN), which is designed to provide frequent, state-of-the-art measurements of surface radiation fluxes according to internationally agreed standard operational and instrument calibration procedures. These measurements are needed to assess theoretical treatments of radiative transfer in the atmosphere, to verify climate model computations, and for monitoring regional trends in surface radiation. These activities are important in assessing potential modification of the Earth's radiation budget as the atmospheric concentration of greenhouse gases and aerosol loadings changes. The BSRN stations are currently organized to fulfill the goals of the WCRP, which are to (1) monitor long-term variability in radiation fluxes at the surface; (2) provide data for validating satellite-based estimates of the surface radiation budget; (3) provide consistency-check data for general circulation models, and (4) validate radiation transfer model calculations. The BSRN now consists of 18 sites throughout the world, representing a diverse geographical coverage with many different climatic zones.
Since 1995, Dr. Ellsworth Dutton has served as Project Manager for the BSRN. In addition, the G-Rad group operates five of the BSRN sites at Barrow, Alaska; Bermuda; Boulder; Kwajalein, Marshall Islands; and South Pole, Antarctica.
Further information about the BSRN program, including meetings, publications, members and contact information, how to obtain the data from the archive in Switzerland, etc., can be found at http://bsrn.ethz.ch/.