Snow-Vegetation-Atmosphere Interactions over Heterogeneous Landscapes Project: Vegetation and Meteorological Observations at the Sodankyla Site

Vegetation and meteorological observations (snow and radiation) were collected by various ground instruments in an area of forest near Sodankyla (Finalnd) during measurement campaigns in March 2011. This data is made available through the BADC. An open area and five 20 m × 20 m forest plots were selected for shortwave and longwave radiation measurements and canopy characterization. The Arctic Research Centre of the Finnish Meteorological Institute at Sodankylä (67°22'N, 26°38'E) has continuous weather observations dating back to 1908 and is a major centre for meteorological and remote sensing field studies. The surrounding area includes forests of Norway Spruce (Picea abies) and Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris), extensive mires and numerous lakes that are frozen and snow-covered in winter. This was a NERC funded project.