An Overview Of The Eddy Covariance Technique and Its Applications In Agricultural and Environmental Research.

For more than a decade the eddy covariance technique has been considered the standard statistical tool for measuring the covariance between fluctuations in vertical wind velocity and properties of interest, such as water density and the CO2 mixing ratio, which produces estimations of the surface-atmosphere flux exchange of water and CO2. Over the years sensor manufacturers have strived to produce the best possible sensors and micro-meteorological systems to meet the needs of the scientific community involved in micrometeorological research. Eddy covariance measurement systems have evolved from fairly simple and inaccurate sensors to very accurate, hi-end micro-meteorological systems that are currently used in various applications in agricultural and environmental research.  Additionally, uncertainty in the energy balance closure has resulted in the development of atmosphere profiling systems with measurements that can provide additional information on components that have been missed by traditional eddy covariance sensors. The goal of this presentation is to review the evolution of eddy covariance flux measurement techniques with an emphasis on currently available instrumentation and the outlook for future micromet systems.