Carbon and water fluxes observed by the Chinese Flux Observation and Research Network (2003–2005)

Based on micrometeorological theory, eddy covariance technique (EC) is considered as the unique approach for direct measurement of ecosystem-scale productivity, energy balance and greenhouse gas exchange. The EC flux data provide important support for the study on the mechanism of ecosystem carbon & water coupling cycles, the spatio-temporal patterns of carbon sink capacity, and water use strategy. As the first batch observed by the Chinese Flux Observation and Research Network (ChinaFLUX), this dataset collected field measurements from of eight sites during 2003–2005after the founding of ChinaFLUX in 2002, including 4 forests, 3 grassland and 1 cropland. The data products of this dataset have been standardized following the ChinaFLUXdata processing protocols, and they provide important scientific knowledge and data basis for analyzing responses to environmental changes.