Spatial and temporal variations of the fluxes of carbon dioxide and sensible and latent heat over the FIFE site

Abstract

Airborne measurements of flux densities of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), sensible heat, and latent heat (H 2 O) obtained over the First ISLSCP Field Experiment (FIFE) site during three intensive field campaigns in 1987 and one in 1989 are examined to characterize the spatial and temporal variations of CO 2 and energy transfer processes. These data were collected by the National Research Council Twin Otter using low‐level flight patterns, all flown at constant pressure altitude during relatively clear days. The spatial variations are larger in 1989 than in 1987 and a higher correlation is observed between the fluxes and the surface features. The temporal patterns are easier to characterize with the relatively homogeneous situation of 1987. Functional relationships obtained between fluxes of CO 2 and latent heat, CO 2 fluxes and greenness index, latent heat fluxes and greenness index, and between sensible heat fluxes and surface air temperature differences are presented for one day in 1987 and one in 1989 as an example of the kind of information that can be obtained from grid flights at constant pressure altitude.