Global FLUXNET Datasets: Past Usage, Opportunities, and New Data

Widely used in studies ranging from ecophysiology dynamics to global estimates using models and remote sensing data, FLUXNET datasets have become key to scientific research and applications. More frequently updated and high-quality FLUXNET data collections are ever more pressing, serving opportunities with new technologies and new real-world applications including nature-based and technological climate solutions, carbon credit verification, support to agriculture decision systems, and ecological forecasting. The three major FLUXNET releases (FLUXNET2015, LaThuile in 2007, and Marconi 2000) have been widely used by the scientific community, academia and industry. Nonetheless, release cycles of 7-10 years have become a major limiting factor, given the demand for continuously updated collections for anchoring remote sensing (calibration and validation), models (from hindcasts to forecasting), and real-world applications requiring near-real-time data. Regional flux networks have sought to expand the datasets by increasing the number of sites, variables and metadata shared, by improving data quality, and by moving toward open data principles via the recent adoption of the CC-BY data license. New network-level data products are being released, either regularly (e.g., AmeriFlux, ICOS, NEON, TERN datasets), or in response to specific demands (e.g. Drought2018 and WarmWinter2020 in ICOS). These data are processed using the shared and jointly maintained ONEFlux pipeline, making data products fully compatible and interoperable. However, mechanisms for global access to regional network data at a global scale are still challenging for users. The continuous development of the FAIRness and related data discovery tools further supports new strategies to create, maintain, and continuously update FLUXNET datasets. At the same time, inequity in data use, credit, recognition, and contribution is still a significant challenge that must be highlighted and solved. Here, we present a roadmap for how future FLUXNET synthesis datasets can be constructed and shared. We demonstrate a data discovery and access tool, look into benefits for data providers and users, and highlight data usage and availability. Open discussion of these challenges and solutions is encouraged.

https://shuttle-demo.fluxnet.org/