A Microclimate Research Station in a Eucalypt Forest

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
A largely automatic microclimate research station was established in a mixed eucalypt forest at about 670 m altitude near Daylesford in Victoria in 1968. The sensing, measuring and recording instrumentation is described in detail. Air temperature and humidity, wind run and direction, precipitation and net radiation above the tree canopy (32 m); air temperature and wind run at IS m; air temperature at 1.5 m; and air temperature and humidity and wind run at 0.3 m above the forest floor are recorded. Measurement of soil temperature 2.5, 10, 20 and 50 cm below ground level allows temperatures at all levels to 50 cm to be calculated. Soil moisture is measured at 2.5, 10, 20, 50, 75 and 100 cm below the forest floor. Rapid corrosion of metals and plastics, moistening and deterioration of electrical contacts, effective sealing of instruments against moisture, jamming of mechanisms in chart-recorders, and insulation of electronic bridges and amplifiers against temperature changes present major problems in design and maintenance. Double shielding of some sensing elements exposed to alternating shade and direct sunshine, and wiring of all instruments with metal sheathed cable to eliminate cross- interference have been required.

This publication has 2 references indexed in Scilit: