AmeriFlux Data Variables

This page outlines standard AmeriFlux variable naming conventions for flux and meteorological data.

Timestamp Variables

• TIMESTAMP_START: Start of the measurement interval (e.g., 202407010130)

• TIMESTAMP_END: End of the interval

Core Base Names

• LE: Latent Heat Flux (W m⁻²)

• H: Sensible Heat Flux (W m⁻²)

• FC: CO₂ Flux (µmolCO₂ m⁻² s⁻¹)

• TA: Air Temperature (°C)

• RH: Relative Humidity (%)

• SW_IN: Incoming Shortwave Radiation (W m⁻²)

• SW_OUT: Outgoing Shortwave Radiation (W m⁻²)

• LW_IN: Incoming Longwave Radiation (W m⁻²)

• LW_OUT: Outgoing Longwave Radiation (W m⁻²)

• G: Soil Heat Flux (W m⁻²)

• WS: Wind Speed (m s⁻¹)

• WD: Wind Direction (°)

Qualifier Structure

Variables may include a positional qualifier in the form _H_V_R: - H = horizontal position - V = vertical level (1 = top) - R = replicate number

Example: TA_2_1_1 refers to Air Temperature at horizontal position 2, vertical level 1, replicate 1.