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Cherskii 2014: The site
The tower measurement system at the drained site. (Photo: Martin Hertel)Wednesday, 23rd of April 2014
When we finally arrived in Cherskii we first had to adapt to the time and climate zone because we had a shift in time of +10 hours and differences in temperature of around 40°C, compared to Germany.
Still, with no time to waste we soon prepared ourselves and the equipment and went to measurement site, which is located about 20 km upstream from the research station.
As to be expected, during the winter the working conditions at the site are completely different then during the summer.
The most obvious difference is of course the presence of snow.
At this time of the year, the observation site is completely covered by snow with a depth of around 50-80 cm.
All small-scale pattern such as tussocks and small shrubs are therefore hidden, and the site is mainly just a white flat wide area.
Impressions from the site. (Photo: Martin Hertel)On the positive side, the absent of mosquitos is a highly welcome feature during the winter and makes the outdoor work much more comfortable even with colder temperatures.
Concerning our measurement setup, two eddy-covariance towers, each co-located with a transect of chamber measurements, are installed within the tussock tundra.
One measurement area is placed within a tundra patch disturbed by a drainage ring (installed in 2004), while the instruments installed in a nearby reference area monitor the conditions for a natural reference ecosystem.
Both of the measurements areas are located close to the Ambolikha river, a small side stream of the Kolyma, in a distance of ~ 800 m, with joint central facilities in a central position.
The container house at central maintenance area. (Photo: Martin Hertel)These facilities include e.g. a generator house, which is an old trailer for electricity supply, a storage container and a winter house (wooden house placed at the top of a container).
It is quite impressive to have a fully equipped house at the site, which is mainly used for accommodation of the worker who is responsible for the general maintenance of the instruments and the generator.
For our research team, it is nice place to go and warm up during the breaks. There is a stove to heat up and a gas cooker, so we even have a warm meal in the middle of the Siberian tundra.
I have to admit this is not how I imagined field work when I started this project but I will definitely not complain about these additions.
Written by Fanny