Soil temperature (DP1.00041.001) ... : RELEASE-2023 ...

• Main Author: National Ecological Observatory Network NEON
• Format: Dataset
• Language: English
• Published: National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) 2023
• Subjects: heat; temperature; soil temperature; profile; soil; permafrost
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.48443/9g10-ep60; https://data.neonscience.org/data-products/DP1.00041.001/RELEASE-2023

Soil temperature is measured at various depths below the soil surface from approximately 2 cm down to 200 cm at non-permafrost sites (down to 300 cm at Alaskan sites). Soil temperature influences the rate of biogeochemical cycling, decomposition, and root and soil biota activity. In addition, soil temperature can impact the hydrologic cycle since it controls whether soil water is in a liquid or solid state. Measurements are made in vertical profiles consisting of up to nine depths in all five instrumented soil plots at each terrestrial site, and presented as 1-minute and 30-minute averages. Latency: Data collected in any given month are published during the second full week of the following month. This data product is not currently available at the PUUM site (Hawaii) due to the initial soil characterization indicating the soil was too shallow to allow the standard sensor to be installed. An alternative sensor was installed, but it is not currently compatible with the data processing pipeline. Future upgrades ... : When possible the soil plots were arranged in a transect with the first plot approximately 15-40 m from the tower in the expected dominant airshed. The middle of airshed was used as the transect vector and plot spacing was based on the distance required for surface soil temperature and moisture measurements to be spatially independent at the 1 hectare scale during site characterization (capped at approximately 40 m due to logistical constraints). Soil plots were microsited as necessary to avoid obstacles (e.g., boulders, streams, and paths) and more compact plot layouts were used at small sites. Soil temperature is measured at up to nine depths within each plot, with the mid-point of the shallowest sensors at approximately 2, 6, 16, and 26 cm. Depths for deeper sensors vary among sites and are based on megapit soil horizon data (NEON.DP1.00097) and depth to restrictive feature (see NEON.DOC.003146). Instrumentation: Thermometrics - Climate RTD 100-ohm Probe ...