Characterizing the Response of Ecosystem Photosynthesis to Clouds and Smoke

The impact of smoke and cloud cover is known to impact atmospheric variables, like temperature. However, the impact on ecosystem function, such as photosynthesis, is not well understood or been looked at as thoroughly. Photosynthesis is a critical process that drives the energy budget on Earth. The Niwot Ridge Forest site has been collecting data since 1998. Ecosystem photosynthesis will be evaluated using observational flux data from a forest in Colorado from the past 25 years every 30 minutes. Understanding how photosynthesis changes when normal processes like clouds or an increasing phenomena like smoke are present is important. In 2020, the Cameron Peak fire burned 208,663 acres of land and also spread smoke through Colorado including the Niwot Ridge Forest site. In addition, specific cases of cloud and smoke in August and October will be looked at to characterize a response in photosynthesis. Radiation, heat, and moisture variables will be focused on by taking daily and monthly averages over the 25 years and comparing that to the October and August 2020 cases. There was an decrease in photosynthesis during the October event but not the August event.