ARS | Publication request: Symposium Papers-Progress in Radiation and Energy Balance Measurement Systems

Submitted to: Agronomy Journal
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: November 9, 2006
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: On November 2, 2004, an all-day symposium entitled ¿Progress in Radiation and Energy Balance Measurement Systems¿ was convened at the ASA-CSSA-SSSA annual meetings in Seattle, WA. Interest in the measurement of radiation and energy balance components at soil and plant canopy surfaces has seen a resurgence in recent years. This interest is partly due to increasing public awareness of potential global climate change impacts and related research initiatives. Marked advances in sensitivity, signal processing capabilities, and affordability of surface flux instrumentation have also led to increased numbers and distribution of measurement systems. This has not only enabled integration of surface flux information into formal and informal networks (e.g. FLUXNET, AmeriFlux, EUROFLUX etc.) but also exposed important issues regarding sensor calibration and standardization of measurement and data analysis protocols. This symposium was designed to not only catalog advancements in sensor technology and data interpretation but to also address areas for concern and challenges that still lie ahead. The presenters did an excellent job of encouraging the audience to re-evaluate current measurement methodologies and the consequences of known and underlying assumptions of their use. As organizers, we wish to thank all presenters, attendees, and authors for their participation in this highly successful symposium. We hope that readers will find the following articles to be stimulating and helpful in their own study of surface radiation and energy transfer.