Year-long measurements of CO2 and H2O fluxes above a vineyard in an Alpine valley

Direct CO₂ and H₂O flux measurements provide valuable insights into ecosystem processes and their societal benefits, such as greenhouse gas budget assessments and optimizing agricultural water management. This study presents a year-long dataset of eddy covariance flux measurements to examine the carbon and water dynamics of a vineyard ecosystem located in the Adige Valley of the Italian Alps. The vineyard trained as a pergola, with spontaneous herbaceous vegetation on the floor, employs a drip irrigation system during hot and/or dry periods. The eddy covariance station, operational since August 2023, was deployed as part of the Euregio project INTERFACE. High-frequency data were processed applying standard corrections using EddyPro® software and gap filling of 30-min fluxes was performed, enabling an investigation into the vineyard's carbon uptake and water dynamics. 

By examining these fluxes, we investigated the vineyard's capacity for carbon uptake and quantified its water use, gaining insights into its role in ecosystem dynamics. The results highlight how flux measurements can guide practical applications, such as optimizing irrigation scheduling, improving carbon budgeting, and supporting adaptive management practices to enhance agricultural sustainability. Notably, the findings suggest that the vineyard ecosystem in the Adige Valley can act as a carbon sink on an annual basis. By providing precise measurements of carbon uptake and water consumption, this research contributes to the development of equitable and science-driven solutions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and conserving water resources in agricultural landscapes.