TRAGNET OBJECTIVES

The proposed network is designed to contribute to our understanding of trace gas fluxes to the atmosphere through six principle objectives.

• The network will promote the comparability of trace gas flux measurements. As discussed later in this report, the network will provide guidance on sampling designs that are site appropriate; provide suggestions and updated information on appropriate analytical and sample collection methods; and facilitate intercomparisons and intercalibrations.

• The network will provide for more extensive coverage of ecosystem variability. Identification of regions where no long-term measurements are available, or where replication is needed, will be assessed; the network participants can then encourage the development of research sites in such areas.

• Data synthesis will be facilitated by the network. Data collected from sites that span a range of controlling factors or that represent a range of ecoregions will be available to the group for synthesis and hypothesis setting.

• Interactions between measurement and modeling groups will be facilitated by the network. Data collection at appropriate frequency and spatial scales will allow model development and model testing. Hypotheses generated from the model synthesis activities will foster new field research.

• Intercomparisons of model results will be facilitated. It will be possible to make comparisons that utilize identical estimates of input and output. In addition, model modularity will be developed where possible, facilitating the identification of reasons models produce different results.

• A long-term data archive for trace gas flux and other ecosystem processes will be established as a component of the network. The purpose of the network is to foster a better understanding of mid-latitude trace gas contributions to the global budget by facilitating data access and interactions among those measuring and modeling gas fluxes.

Home Page for the Trace Gas Network