Investigators and Partners

This project is the product of the combined efforts of many interdisciplinary researchers of various expertise and was initiated by:

• Prof. Jason Beringer (Micrometeorology)(UWA)
• Prof. Ross Thompson (Aquatic ecologist)(ACU)
• Dr. Timothy Cavagnaro (Soil ecologist)(Uni Adelaide)
• Prof. Ralph Mac Nally (Landscape ecologist)(ACU)
• Dr. Patrick Baker (Plant biology)(The Uni Melbourne)
• Mr Mark Eigenraam (DSE)
• Mr Leon Metzeling (EPA)

Project Overview

Farming carbon via tree plantings on pasture land is becoming increasingly common to address the effects of climate change. This activity is likely to produce dramatic changes in Australia's rural landscapes, but we have little knowledge of likely effects on crucial ecosystem services and attributes such as stream water yields and biodiversity. This project investigates the relationship between tree cover, carbon uptake, water yield and biodiversity. The outcomes will allow government agencies, landowners and carbon farming groups to better evaluate the effects of different landscape planning options and contribute to effective long-term planning for multiple goals. The site was established in October 2011 as part of an ARC Linkage project "More bang for your carbon buck: carbon, biodiversity and water balance consequences of whole-catchment carbon farming" (LP0990038) Dr Ross Michael Thompson, A/Prof Jason Beringer, Dr Timothy Richard Cavagnaro, Prof Ralph Charles Mac Nally, Dr Patrick John Baker, Mr Mark Eigenraam, Mr Leon Metzeling. The tower will provide longterm measurements as part of the Ozflux network and the infrastructure is partly funded through the NCRIS TERN OzFlux and Supersite facilities.

Key research questions

The Whroo site will enable us to assess how revegetation affects the interaction among carbon dynamics, water regimes (quality, quantity and frequency) and biodiversity across the landscape (above- and below-ground terrestrial, and aquatic ecosystems).

We will develop a robust observational and modelling platform for soil-plant-atmosphere carbon and water fluxes for a range of land-use practices, including carbon farming, in these landscapes.

We will assess how carbon farming can be modified to increase biodiversity conservation.

The Site Location

The Whroo flux station was located approximately 45km south west of Shepparton, Victoria: 36? 40' 22.98"S, 145? 1' 34.37"E.

Site Characteristics

The flux tower site was classified as box woodland. The vegetation is dominated by two main Eucalypt species: Eucalyptus microcarpa (Grey Box) and Eucalyptus leucoxylon (Yellow Gum). Smaller numbers of Eucalyptus sideroxylon (Ironbark) and Acacia pycnantha (Golden Wattle) are also found on site. Elevation of the site is close to 165 m and mean annual precipitation from a nearby Bureau of Meteorology site measured 558 mm. Maximum temperatures ranged from 29.8?C (in January) to 12.6?C (in July), while minimum temperatures ranged from 14.2?C (in February) to 3.2?C (in July). Maximum temperatures varied on a seasonal basis by approximately 17.2?C and minimum temperatures by 11.0?C.

The instrument mast is 36m tall. Heat, water vapour and carbon dioxide measurements are taken using the open-path eddy flux technique. Temperature, humidity, wind speed, wind direction, rainfall, incoming and reflected shortwave radiation and net radiation were measured above the canopy. Soil heat fluxes are measured and soil moisture content is gathered using time domain reflectometry.

Data

Data from this site is available through the OzFlux data portal international FLUXNET database or via the investigators email jason.beringer[@]uwa.edu.au

Further Information

• Prof. Jason Beringer
• School of Agriculture and Environment
• Charles Darwin University
• The Australian Flux Network (OzFlux)
• The Terrestrial Ecosystem Science Network (TERN)
• The Terrestrial Ecosystem Science Network (TERN) Supersite network
• The National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS)
• The International FLUXNET

Acknowledgements

This site is produced by Prof. Jason Beringer, UWA, School of Agriculture and Environment and proudly part of the Australian Flux Network(OzFlux) and partly supported by the Australian NCRIS Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network (TERN). Australian Research Council grants supported this work (DP0344744, LP0774812, DP0772981, LP0990038, DP130101566 and FT110100602)

Instrument Type	Make	Model	Situation
Bidirectional pyranometer / pyrgiometer	Kipp and Zonen	CNR4	36m
Combination cup anemometer / wind vane (6 replicates)	RM Young	03002	1m, 2m, 4m, 8m, 16m, 32m
Infra-red gas analyser	LiCOR	LI-7500	36m
Quantum sensor	Apogee	SQ-110
Soil heat flux plate (4 replicates)	Hukseflux	HFP01	-0.08m
Soil temperature probe (4 replicates)	Campbell Scientific	TCAV	All at -0.08m
Solar regulator	Prostar	PS-30M
3D Sonic anemometer	Campbell Scientific	CSAT3	36m
Temperature and Relative Humidity sensor (6 replicates)	Campbell Scientific	HMP-45C	1 each at 1, 2, 4, 8, 16 & 32m
Soil Moisture Probe (8 replicates)	Campbell Scientific	CS-616	4 at -0.1m & 1 at each of -0.2, -0.4, -0.8, -1.5m
Unidirectional sunshine pyranometer	Delta	SPN1	36m
Logger	Campbell Scientific	CR3000	1.5m
Multiplexor	Campbell Scientific	AM25T	1.5m
Rain gauge	Hydrological Services	TB3	36m
Profile gas analyser	LiCOR	LI-840	32m
Profile pressure line	Vaisala	CS105	16m
Profile air pressure	Vaisala	CS106	16m
Flow meter	Aalborg	GFM17	16m
Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) sensor	Campbell Scientific	Quantum LI-190	2 at 36m, one facing upward, one facing downward
4-channel light sensor	Skye Instruments	SKR 1850	2 at 36m, one facing upward, one facing downward