New Tools to Improve Access to Micrometeorological Methods for Agricultural Research Scientists.

Micrometeorological methods and ecosystem-scale energy and gas flux measurements have become increasingly important in soil, crop, and environmental sciences. For many scientists without formal training in atmospheric science, these techniques are relatively inaccessible. Eddy covariance, surface renewal, and other flux measurement methods require an understanding of boundary layer meteorology and extensive training in instrumentation and multiple data management programs. We present three new tools to improve access to flux measurement methods for agricultural and environmental research scientists. First, we present an open-source turnkey data logger program that performs flux data acquisition and post-processing. The program returns to the user a simple data table with the corrected fluxes and quality control parameters. Second, we present an R statistical software package for converting raw turbulence data into corrected fluxes. The software package enables users to import, process, analyze, and visualize flux data in R, eliminating the need to shuffle between multiple cumbersome analysis programs. Third, we present an internet resource that collects and categorizes useful web-based information about flux measurement, including educational materials, user forums, and collaborative projects.