Long-term Atmospheric, Soil and Water Sensor Data from the GCE-LTER Eddy Covariance Flux Tower on Sapelo Island, Georgia

Long-term measurements of various atmospheric, soil and water properties were made using electronic sensors attached to the GCE-LTER eddy covariance flux tower deployed in a Spartina alterniflora salt marsh on Sapelo Island, Georgia. Variables measured include air and water temperature, relative humidity, precipitation, wind speed and direction, soil temperature, water pressure and solar radiation components (i.e. incident and reflected photosynthetically available, total, long-wave and shortwave radiation). Measurements were logged at 5 minute intervals using multiple Campbell Scientific Instruments CR3000 data loggers, and then combined into a single monotonic time series data set. Quality control analyses were performed to remove values deemed invalid due to sensor failure or miscalibration and to assign Q/C qualifiers to values outside expected ranges or failing various sanity and quality checks of the data. Note that some measurements were spatially replicated with multiple sensors deployed in different micro-habitats (e.g. at the tower and in a nearby marsh platform or creek). Sensors were also added to the tower at various times after the initial installation, therefore some variables do not span the entire period of record. Measurements at this site are ongoing, and the data set will be updated annually to include additional observations.