A dataset of horizontal and slope-parallel installation of radiometer to measure solar radiation components and turbulent energy flux at Maoershan station in 2016

Abstract

Solar radiation is one of the key parameters driving carbon and water fluxes, as well as other types of terrestrial processes. Radiometers, the most commonly used instruments for measuring local-scale radiation and albedo, are typically installed horizontally according to meteorological observation standards. However, under sloping terrain conditions, their hemispherical view and the surface receiving or reflecting radiation are not vertical. This discrepancy often results in a daily phase shift between net radiation and turbulent energy fluxes. Montane region accounts for one-quarter of the total global land surface area, yet few studies have quantified and corrected the errors resulting from horizontal installation of net radiometers in these areas. The dataset compiled in this paper were solar radiation and turbulent energy flux data measured by horizontal and slope-parallel radiometers in the secondary forest of the Maoershan Forest Ecosystem Research Station in Heilongjiang from March 17, 2016, to April 3, 2017. The data included incident and reflected shortwave radiation, longwave radiation, photosynthetically active radiation, as well as albedo, solar elevation angle, clear sky index, sensible heat flux, latent heat flux, and soil surface heat flux data. These data were stored in half-hour intervals, with radiation and turbulent energy flux data coverage rates during the growing season (May 3, 2016 to October 10, 2016) of 100% and 81.3% respectively. This dataset can provide original data for evaluating the impact of radiometers installation methods on the measurement of radiation components and albedo in montane regions, which not only help to correct historical data or construct more accurate models, but can also provide methodological references for studies related to carbon, water, and energy fluxes.