A software package for the analysis of Skyline data: an automated flux chamber system

We present a software package for the analysis of data from automated flux chamber systems. It was developed for the Skyline chamber system, in which a chamber is moved robotically to close on a series of chamber bases along a transect. The system generates 1-Hz data over several months, so requires software to automate the processing of the multiple data streams. We describe the software system here, which is extensible to other automated chamber systems. The software merges data from the different data streams, including greenhouse gas mole fractions and chamber position data, environmental variables, and meta-data on experimental treatments. Algorithms performs identification of deadbands/chamber enclosure time, quality control based on the CO2 response, and calculation of fluxes with linear and non-linear equations. With appropriate internet connectivity, the software can be scheduled to update on a near-real-time basis. Graphical output and hierarchical statistical analysis of treatment effects is included. We illustrate applications with examining diurnal patterns in greenhouse gas fluxes and experiments on agricultural emission factors for N2O.