Vegetation and meteorological observations (snow and radiation) were collected by various ground instruments in an area of forest near Abisko (Sweden) and Sodankylä (Finland) during measurement campaigns in March 2011 and March 2012. This dataset contains the radiation data collected at Abisko site in March 2011.

Above-canopy radiation:

An open area was selected at each study site (“plot O”) for measurements assumed to be representative of incoming radiation above the nearby forest canopy. A Delta-T Devices BF3 sunshine sensor and a Kipp & Zonen CGR3 pyrgeometer were connected to a Campbell Scientific CR1000 data logger recording 5-minute averages of measurements made every 5 seconds. The BF3 measures total and diffuse incoming shortwave radiation, and the CGR3 measures thermal longwave radiation.

Below-canopy radiation:

In the forest plots, two arrays of ten Kipp & Zonen CM3 shortwave pyranometers and four Kipp & Zonen CGR3 longwave pyrgeometers were connected to AM16/32B multiplexers and Campbell Scientific CR1000 data loggers recording 5-minute averages of measurements made every 5 seconds. One array was set up in a “continuity plot” C for the entire duration of each field campaign, while the other array was moved between four “roving plots” R1 to R4, providing at least 5 complete days of data at each plot. All radiometers were placed on small plywood platforms on the snow surface and were levelled and cleared of snow every morning. Radiometer positions were recorded using differential GPS at Abisko and averages of repeated handheld GPS measurements at Sodankylä.

This was a NERC funded project.