• TERN Geospatial Catalogue
  •   Search
  •   Map

Cape Tribulation Flux Data Collection

This dataset consists of measurements of the exchange of energy and mass between the surface and the atmospheric boundary-layer in lowland tropical rainforest at the Daintree Rainforest Observatory located near Cape Tribulation, Queensland, using eddy covariance techniques. <br /> <br />The Cape Tribulation flux station was located in the land that is adjacent to the Daintree National Park which is part of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area (WTWHA). The site is flanked to the west by coastal ranges rising to more than 1400m and to the east by the Coral Sea. The red clay loam podzolic soils are of metamorphic origin and have good drainage characteristics. The metamorphic rocks grade into granite boulders along Thompson Creek which runs along the northern boundary of the site. The crane site itself is gently sloping but the fetch area makes the site one of very complex terrain. The forest is classed as complex mesophyll vine forest (type 1a) and has an average canopy height of 25m. The dominant canopy trees belong to the Apocynaceae, Arecaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Lauraceae, Meliaceae, Myristicaceae and Myrtaceae families. The forest is continuous for several kilometres around the crane except for an area 300m due east of the crane, which is regrowth forest. Annual average rainfall at the site is around 5180mm and is strongly seasonal, with 66% falling between January and April (wet season). Mean daily temperature ranges from 26.6°C in February to 21.2°C in July. <br> Tropical cyclones are a frequent occurrence in Far North Queensland. These severe tropical storm systems are natural phenomena which play a major role in determining the ecology of Queensland's tropical lowland rainforests. In March 1999 Tropical Cyclone Rona (Category 3) passed over the Cape Tribulation area causing widespread damage (gusts >170km/h). At the site several large trees fell, nearly all of the remaining trees were stripped of leaves and the lianas towers were torn to ground level. <br> The flux station was mounted at the 45m level on the tower of the Australian Canopy Crane external link. The canopy crane is a Liebherr 91 EC, freestanding construction tower crane. The crane is 48.5 metres tall with a radius of 55 metres enabling access to 1 hectare of rainforest. Fluxes of heat, water vapour and carbon dioxide were measured using the open-path eddy covariance technique. Supplementary measurements above the canopy included temperature, humidity, rainfall, total solar; these measurements have continued post the flux system decommissioning. Heat flux, soil temperature and water content (time domain reflectometry) were measured in proximity to the flux station; these measurements have continued post the flux system decommissioning. Detailed biometric measurements are made at the crane site and all trees have regular (5 yearly) dbh measurements and canopy mapping carried out. Monitoring bores (3) are located on site. Leaf litter measurements are carried out on a monthly basis. <br> For additional site information, see https://www.tern.org.au/tern-observatory/tern-ecosystem-processes/daintree-rainforest-supersite/ .<br /><br /> This data is also available at http://data.ozflux.org.au .

Simple

Identification info

Date (Creation)
2010-01-01
Date (Publication)
2021-09-20
Date (Revision)
2025-12-10
Edition
1.0

Publisher

Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network
Building 1019, 80 Meiers Rd
Indooroopilly
QLD
4068
Australia
+61 7 3365 9097

Author

James Cook University - Liddell, Michael (Associate Professor)
1 James Cook Drive, Bebegu Yumba campus, 4811, Douglas, Australia
Bebegu Yumba campus
Douglas
4811
Australia

Co-author

James Cook University - Weigand, Nico (Research Worker)
1 James Cook Drive, Bebegu Yumba campus, 4811, Douglas, Australia
Bebegu Yumba campus
Douglas
4811
Australia
Website
https://www.tern.org.au/

Purpose
The purpose of the Cape Tribulation flux station is to :<br /> measure exchanges of carbon dioxide, water vapour and energy between the tropical rainforest and the atmosphere using micrometeorological techniques<br /> quantify the changes in carbon and energy balances of an Australian tropical rainforest during the course of post-cyclone canopy recovery. Closely linked to the micrometeorological ecosystem-level studies are leaf-level studies of the major tree and liana species at the site (Dr Owin Atkin, ANU; Dr Peter Hietz, Vienna) and water balance and soil carbon studies (Drs P. Nelson, Marc Le Blanc, JCU)<br /> recommend management strategies for the conservation of carbon stores in tropical rainforest ecosystems that are subject to relatively frequent cyclone disturbance. <br />
Credit
We at TERN acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians throughout Australia, New Zealand and all nations. We honour their profound connections to land, water, biodiversity and culture and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.
Credit
The Cape Tribulation flux station is managed by the James Cook University as part of the TERN (DIISR funded) FNQ Rainforest Supersite. Equipment was provided by grants from the ARC external link (RIEFP) and JCU. <br> Past support was from the Rainforest CRC and Department of Environment and Heritage - Marine and Tropical Sciences Research Facility Project 5ii.2. Climate Change: Scaling from trees to ecosystems.
Status
Completed

Point of contact

James Cook University - Liddell, Michael (Associate Professor)
1 James Cook Drive, Bebegu Yumba campus, 4811, Douglas, Australia
1 James Cook Drive
Bebegu Yumba campus
Douglas
4811
Australia
Topic category
  • Climatology, meteorology, atmosphere

Extent

Description
Daintree Rainforest Observatory, Cape Tribulation, Queensland.
N
S
E
W


Temporal extent

Time period
2010-01-01 2018-11-02
Title
Isaac, Peter et al., 2017. OzFlux data: network integration from collection to curation. Biogeosciences, 14(12). doi:10.5194/bg-14-2903-2017
Website
Isaac, Peter et al., 2017. OzFlux data: network integration from collection to curation. Biogeosciences, 14(12). doi:10.5194/bg-14-2903-2017

Related documentation

Title
Beringer, Jason et al., 2016. An introduction to the Australian and New Zealand flux tower network – OzFlux. Biogeosciences, 13(21). doi:10.5194/bg-13-5895-2016
Website
Beringer, Jason et al., 2016. An introduction to the Australian and New Zealand flux tower network – OzFlux. Biogeosciences, 13(21). doi:10.5194/bg-13-5895-2016

Related documentation

Title
Daintree Rainforest SuperSite
Website
Daintree Rainforest SuperSite

Related documentation

Maintenance and update frequency
Biannually
GCMD Science Keywords
  • BIOGEOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
  • LAND PRODUCTIVITY
  • EVAPOTRANSPIRATION
  • TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS
  • ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE MEASUREMENTS
  • TURBULENCE
  • WIND SPEED
  • WIND DIRECTION
  • TRACE GASES/TRACE SPECIES
  • ATMOSPHERIC CARBON DIOXIDE
  • PHOTOSYNTHETICALLY ACTIVE RADIATION
  • LONGWAVE RADIATION
  • SHORTWAVE RADIATION
  • INCOMING SOLAR RADIATION
  • HEAT FLUX
  • AIR TEMPERATURE
  • PRECIPITATION AMOUNT
  • HUMIDITY
  • SOIL MOISTURE/WATER CONTENT
  • SOIL TEMPERATURE
ANZSRC Fields of Research
  • Atmospheric sciences
  • Climate change impacts and adaptation
  • Ecosystem function
  • Environmental management
  • Soil sciences
TERN Platform Vocabulary
  • Cape Tribulation Flux Station
TERN Instrument Vocabulary
  • Hukseflux HFP01
  • Hukseflux NR01
  • Observator RIM-8000 series rain gauge
  • Vaisala WXT520
  • Campbell Scientific CS616
  • Environdata WeatherMaster 2000
  • Campbell Scientific TCAV Averaging Soil Thermocouple Probe
  • Campbell Scientific CSAT3
  • Vaisala HMP45C
  • LI-COR LI-7500
  • LI-COR LI-190 (SA, SZ, and SL versions)
TERN Parameter Vocabulary
  • mass concentration of carbon dioxide in air
  • Milligram per Cubic Metre
  • surface upward latent heat flux
  • Watt per Square Metre
  • downward heat flux at ground level in soil
  • Watt per Square Metre
  • surface downwelling longwave flux in air
  • Watt per Square Metre
  • surface upwelling longwave flux in air
  • Watt per Square Metre
  • surface downwelling shortwave flux in air
  • Watt per Square Metre
  • surface upwelling shortwave flux in air
  • Watt per Square Metre
  • thickness of rainfall amount
  • Millimetre
  • relative humidity
  • Percent
  • specific humidity
  • Kilogram per Kilogram
  • soil moisture content
  • Cubic Metre per Cubic Metre
  • air temperature
  • Degree Celsius
  • soil temperature
  • Degree Celsius
  • water vapor partial pressure in air
  • Kilopascal
  • water vapor saturation deficit in air
  • Kilopascal
  • wind from direction
  • Degree
  • wind speed
  • Metre per Second
  • surface air pressure
  • Kilopascal
  • surface net downward radiative flux
  • Watt per Square Metre
  • surface upward sensible heat flux
  • Watt per Square Metre
  • mass concentration of water vapor in air
  • Gram per Cubic Metre
  • surface upward flux of available energy
  • Watt per Square Metre
  • magnitude of surface downward stress
  • Kilograms per metre per square second
  • mole fraction of water vapor in air
  • Millimole per Mole
  • Monin-Obukhov length
  • Metre
  • specific humidity saturation deficit in air
  • Kilogram per Kilogram
  • eastward wind
  • Metre per Second
  • northward wind
  • Metre per Second
  • vertical wind
  • Metre per Second
  • ecosystem respiration
  • Micromole per Square Metre Second
  • water evapotranspiration flux
  • Kilograms per square metre per second
  • gross primary productivity of biomass expressed as carbon
  • Micromole per Square Metre Second
  • net ecosystem exchange
  • Micromole per Square Metre Second
  • net ecosystem productivity
  • Micromole per Square Metre Second
  • surface upward mole flux of carbon dioxide
  • Micromole per Square Metre Second
  • mole fraction of carbon dioxide in air
  • Micromole per Mole
  • surface downwelling photosynthetic photon flux in air
  • Millimole per Square Metre Second
  • upward mole flux of carbon dioxide due inferred from storage
  • Micromole per Square Metre Second
  • surface friction velocity
  • Metre per Second
QUDT Units of Measure
  • Milligram per Cubic Metre
  • Watt per Square Metre
  • Watt per Square Metre
  • Watt per Square Metre
  • Watt per Square Metre
  • Watt per Square Metre
  • Watt per Square Metre
  • Millimetre
  • Percent
  • Kilogram per Kilogram
  • Cubic Metre per Cubic Metre
  • Degree Celsius
  • Degree Celsius
  • Kilopascal
  • Kilopascal
  • Degree
  • Metre per Second
  • Kilopascal
  • Watt per Square Metre
  • Watt per Square Metre
  • Gram per Cubic Metre
  • Watt per Square Metre
  • Kilograms per metre per square second
  • Millimole per Mole
  • Metre
  • Kilogram per Kilogram
  • Metre per Second
  • Metre per Second
  • Metre per Second
  • Micromole per Square Metre Second
  • Kilograms per square metre per second
  • Micromole per Square Metre Second
  • Micromole per Square Metre Second
  • Micromole per Square Metre Second
  • Micromole per Square Metre Second
  • Micromole per Mole
  • Millimole per Square Metre Second
  • Micromole per Square Metre Second
  • Metre per Second
GCMD Horizontal Resolution Ranges
  • Point Resolution
GCMD Temporal Resolution Ranges
  • 1 minute - < 1 hour
Keywords (Discipline)
  • mesophyll vine forest
  • AU-Ctr

Resource constraints

Use limitation
The Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license allows others to copy, distribute, display, and create derivative works provided that they credit the original source and any other nominated parties. Details are provided at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
File name
88x31.png
File description
CCBy Logo from creativecommons.org
File type
png
Linkage
https://w3id.org/tern/static/cc-by/88x31.png

Title
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence
Alternate title
CC-BY
Edition
4.0
Website
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Access constraints
License
Use constraints
Other restrictions
Other constraints
TERN services are provided on an “as-is” and “as available” basis. Users use any TERN services at their discretion and risk. They will be solely responsible for any damage or loss whatsoever that results from such use including use of any data obtained through TERN and any analysis performed using the TERN infrastructure. <br /><br />Web links to and from external, third party websites should not be construed as implying any relationships with and/or endorsement of the external site or its content by TERN.<br /><br />Please advise any work or publications that use this data via the online form at https://www.tern.org.au/research-publications/#reporting

Resource constraints

Classification
Unclassified

Distribution Information

Distribution format

Distributor

Distributor

Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network
80 Meiers Road, Indooroopilly, Queensland, 4068, Australia
Indooroopilly
Queensland
4068
Australia
OnLine resource
Catalog for NetCDF files

OnLine resource
ro-crate-metadata.json

Data quality info

Hierarchy level
Dataset
Other
If the data quality is poor, the data is filled from alternative sources. Filled data can be identified by the Quality Controls flags in the dataset. Quality control checks include (i) range checks for plausible limits, (ii) spike detection, (iii) dependency on other variables and (iv) manual rejection of date ranges. Specific checks applied to the sonic and IRGA data include rejection of points based on the sonic and IRGA diagnostic values and on either automatic gain control (AGC) or CO2 and H2O signal strength, depending upon the configuration of the IRGA. For more details, refer to Isaac et al (2017) in the Publications section, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-14-2903-2017. <br> For further information about the software (PyFluxPro) used to process and quality control the flux data, see https://github.com/OzFlux/PyFluxPro/wiki.

Resource lineage

Statement
All flux raw data is subject to the quality control process OzFlux QA/QC to generate data from L1 to L6. Levels 3 to 6 are available for re-use. Datasets contain Quality Controls flags which will indicate when data quality is poor and has been filled from alternative sources. For more details, refer to Isaac et al (2017) in the Publications section, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-14-2903-2017 .
Hierarchy level
Dataset

Reference System Information

Reference system identifier
EPSG/EPSG:4326

Reference system type
Geodetic Geographic 2D

Metadata

Metadata identifier
urn:uuid/93245a35-9504-4540-b2bf-6d3f5b997800

Title
TERN GeoNetwork UUID

Language
English
Character encoding
UTF8

Point of contact

Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network
Building 1019, 80 Meiers Rd
Indooroopilly
QLD
4068
Australia
+61 7 3365 9097

Type of resource

Resource scope
Dataset
Metadata linkage
https://geonetwork.tern.org.au/geonetwork/srv/eng/catalog.search#/metadata/93245a35-9504-4540-b2bf-6d3f5b997800

Point-of-truth metadata URL

Date info (Creation)
2010-01-01T00:00:00.000000+00:00
Date info (Revision)
2025-12-10T09:46:33.196315+00:00

Metadata standard

Title
ISO 19115-1:2014/AMD 1:2018 Geographic information - Metadata - Fundamentals
Edition
1

Metadata standard

Title
ISO/TS 19115-3:2016
Edition
1.0

Metadata standard

Title
ISO/TS 19157-2:2016
Edition
1.0
Title
Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network (TERN) Metadata Profile of ISO 19115-3:2016 and ISO 19157-2:2016
Date (published)
2021
Edition
1.0

Identifier

Code
10.5281/zenodo.5652221
Website
https://github.com/ternaustralia/TERN-ISO19115/releases/tag/v1.0

 
 

Overviews

Spatial extent

N
S
E
W


Keywords

ANZSRC Fields of Research
Atmospheric sciences Climate change impacts and adaptation Ecosystem function Environmental management Soil sciences
GCMD Science Keywords
AIR TEMPERATURE ATMOSPHERIC CARBON DIOXIDE ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE MEASUREMENTS BIOGEOCHEMICAL PROCESSES EVAPOTRANSPIRATION HEAT FLUX HUMIDITY INCOMING SOLAR RADIATION LAND PRODUCTIVITY LONGWAVE RADIATION PHOTOSYNTHETICALLY ACTIVE RADIATION PRECIPITATION AMOUNT SHORTWAVE RADIATION SOIL MOISTURE/WATER CONTENT SOIL TEMPERATURE TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS TRACE GASES/TRACE SPECIES TURBULENCE WIND DIRECTION WIND SPEED

Provided by

Share on social sites

Access to the portal
Read here the full details and access to the data.

Associated resources

Not available


  •   About
  •   Github
  •