Two years of Eddy Covariance Measurements of CO2 and Water Fluxes over Switchgrass

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) has gained importance as a feedstock for biofuel recently. A thorough assessment of greenhouse gas (GHG) fluxes associated with feedstock production is needed to compare different types of fuels. To improve life cycle analysis of Switchgrass, direct GHG flux measurements are needed under various climatic conditions.

We started eddy covariance measurements of net carbon ecosystem exchange above a commercial switchgrass field in Southern Ontario in January 2012. The switchgrass stand above which the measurements are conducted is in its seventh year since establishment.

Two years of Net Ecosystem Exchange (NEE), Ecosystem Respiration (Re), Gross Primary Production (GPP), and Evapotranspiration results for this mature switchgrass stand will be presented. The gap filling algorithm for the eddy covariance CO₂ flux data will be discussed since it had to be modified to be used for an agricultural site.