Breakout discussions are interactive sessions, that are led by community members, to focus on a specific topic. Find this year’s topics below. Click here to go back to the meeting agenda.
Breakout Session 1 – Wed Sept 4 at 3:55PM Pacific Time/6:55PM Eastern Time
Title: Leveraging flux tower data for Nature-based Climate Solutions
Conveners: Kim Novick and NbCS working group
Format: Hybrid – Guided discussion
Location: Main Ballroom
Description: We will identify and discuss opportunities to use flux tower data (alone and/or with other sources of data) to create more robust approaches for measuring and monitoring the effectiveness of Nature-based Climate Solutions (e.g. reforestation, conservation agricultural, wetland restoration) at a range of spatial scales.
Title: Flux data sonification
Conveners: Sara Bouchard, Maoya Bassouini, Chris Gough, Robert Shortt
Format: Hybrid – Tutorial
Location: Mariposa Room
Description: Sound artist, composer and Fluxnet artist-in-residence Sara Bouchard will give an introduction to the interdisciplinary field of data sonification and demonstrate techniques she has developed for turning data into sound and music. A professor of art at Virginia Commonwealth University, she is collaborating with VCU biologist Chris Gough to incorporate flux tower data into her work and teaching. Bouchard will share examples of different types of sonification works and offer a peek at the live coding software Sonic Pi, which can be used to read flux tower data directly from spreadsheets. Discussion about how and why the practice of sonification might be used in conjunction with scientific research will be encouraged. Participants will come away with exciting insights into the emerging field of data sonification and new tools for getting started listening to data.
Breakout Session 2 – Thu Sept 5 at 11:10AM Pacific Time/2:10PM Eastern Time
Title: Bridging Scales: Integrating Remote Sensing and Flux Data for Effective Upscaling
Conveners: Nicola Falco, Koong Yi, Housen Chu, Stefan Metzger, David Durden, Paul Stoy.
Format: Hybrid – Panel discussion, Guided discussion
Location: Main Ballroom
Description: The integration of remote sensing and flux data for upscaling is a critical challenge and opportunity in environmental science. Building on the recent outcomes of the “Remote Sensing and Fluxes Upscaling for Real-world Impact” workshop, this breakout session will explore innovative methodologies and address key questions to advance the science of upscaling. We will delve into the importance of site-level measurements for validating remote sensing products, discuss the use of high-resolution remote sensing and machine learning to tackle spatial heterogeneity at regional scales, and examine global scale challenges such as data consistency and emission source identification. Participants will engage in focused discussions on the following pivotal questions:
- Site-Level Validation: How can we improve the accuracy and representativeness of site-level measurements to calibrate and validate remote sensing products effectively?
- Scaling Techniques: How can we integrate new indices, real-time data assimilation, and process models to improve the upscaling of flux data? What innovative approaches, such as knowledge-guided data integration, can bridge the gap between site and regional scale observations?
- Spatial Heterogeneity: How can high-resolution remote sensing imagery and advanced computational tools be leveraged to address spatial heterogeneity at regional scales?
This session aims to build on the collaborative spirit of the previous workshop, fostering interdisciplinary dialogue and generating actionable insights. By connecting scientific research with practical applications, we aim to ensure that advancements in upscaling translate into tangible societal benefits, particularly in the realms of carbon management, climate solutions, and sustainable resource management.
Title: Contributing to a new and continuous FLUXNET data release
Conveners: David Moore, Dario Papale, Trevor Keenan, Kim Novick, Marcy Litvak, Ankur Desai (remote) & Ed Swiatek (remote)
Format: Hybrid – Guided discussion
Location: Yerba Buena Ballroom
Description: The last FLUXNET data release was 2015, a new fully open FLUXNET data release is proposed for December 2025. To allow new data to be added, the initial proposal is that the database will evolve continuously with annual submission deadline to provide input to an annual publication on FLUXNET, co-authored by scientists who submit new data to the network in accordance with the FLUXNET data policy. More than 40% of the data in any new FLUXNET data release would likely come from Ameriflux affiliated sites. This breakout session is designed to get input from the Ameriflux community on how to improve on past FLUXNET data releases. Topics may include 1) a brief overview of current data availability and an initial data release plan 2) a discussion of benefits and concerns for data providers 3) a discussion of the benefits and concerns of data users 4) priorities for the Ameriflux community members.
Title: Working session: Put your code on GitHub!
Conveners: Justine Missik, Madeline Scyphers, Cove Sturtevant
Format: Hybrid – Working Session, with direct support available
Location: Mariposa Room
Description: Hosting your code in a version-controlled repository allows you to maintain, improve, and protect your research code. Track the history of your changes, collaborate (well) with others, add new capabilities without breaking your stable version, and backup or restore when things go wrong.
Breakout Session 3 – Thu Sept 5 at 3:25PM Pacific Time/6:35PM Eastern Time
Title: Capacity Building for Flux Science: Taller de Aprendizaje de Flujos Ecosistémicos (TAFE)
Conveners: Tonantzin Tarin, Ana Maria Restrepo Acevedo, Tyler Roman, Kyle Delwiche, and Dave Moore
Format: Hybrid – Panel discussion, Guided discussion
Location: Main Ballroom
Description: This breakout session aims to introduce and engage participants in developing a comprehensive eddy covariance training program for Latin America. Latin America’s diverse ecosystems are crucial for the global carbon cycle, yet there is an urgent need to train regional scientists to operate and maintain eddy covariance sites. Despite an increasing number of sites, barriers such as language, cost, and distance hinder effective capacity building. We propose a three-phase plan to address these challenges: virtual meetings to identify critical needs and develop a tailored curriculum, a four-day Train the Trainers workshop in Mexico City in early 2025 to equip trainers with the necessary knowledge and materials, and a comprehensive training course, Taller de Aprendizaje de Flujos Ecosistémicos (TAFE), in mid to late 2025. We invite the AmeriFlux community to contribute insights, collaborate, and support this initiative, ensuring the sustainability and effectiveness of eddy covariance research in this vital region. Your participation is crucial for the success of this initiative.
Title: High-Frequency raw eddy covariance data processing service
Conveners: Dario Papale
Format: Hybrid – Guided discussion
Location: Yerba Buena Ballroom
Description: The high frequency (10 or 20 Hz) data collected in the eddy covariance sites are currently processed by each individual PI in order to calculate the half hourly fluxes uploaded to the AmeriFlux database. The recent developments in the eddy covariance processing and the experiences made by other networks (e.g. ICOS) open the possibility of a centralized raw data processing, that would have a number of advantages in terms of documentation and standardization, availability of near real time results for both users and PIs for data quality check, reduced workload for the PIs when operational. At the same time a centralized raw data processing needs also an initial workload for both PIs and AMP in order to provide all the needed information and setup of the system. In this breakout we will discuss the option and evaluate the tasks and workload needed to setup a centralized raw data processing service at the AMP, discussing pros and cons and the possible start of test cases. In the discussion the current system organized in ICOS will be also presented as one possible example.