Skip to content

Gill’s anemometers help to understand forest ecosystems

For many years researchers and scientists have been trying to better understand the processes that govern the tree and forest ecosystem. Data recorded from research stations across the planet help understand the impact of gas exchanges on our environments.

Since 2003, the ESE research laboratory has been managing a forest experimental site in the Barbeau state forest just 70 km South–East of Paris, France. The forest, which is a temperate broadleaf forest made up of oak and hornbeam trees, is one of several stations belonging to ICOS (Integrated Carbon Observation System) dedicated to high precision long term observations and monitoring of greenhouse gas fluxes.

A range of Gill Instrument anemometers, including the R3-50, HS-50 and WindSonic has been installed onto the top of Barbeau’s 35 metre high tower to receive valuable environmental data.

The 3D anemometers (R3-50 and HS-50) have been positioned at the very top of the station to collect U, V, W and Tsonic. The 3D anemometers are used in combination with fast CO2/H2O analysers for Eddy covariance measurements, which is a proven technique consisting of CO2 and H2O flux calculations of the covariance between the vertical component of wind velocity (w) and the mixing ratio of CO2 or H2O in air.

In addition to the 3D anemometers, 6 WindSonic wind speed and direction sensors have also been installed on the tower to provide a vertical wind profile from the top of the tower down to the bottom. The small, lightweight sensors are used to collect accurate wind speed, wind direction and gust information.

Data collected from the WindSonic anemometers are used to estimate the wind velocity gradient and wind direction shear in the forest vertical profile and to determine the air turbulences in the plant cover. Furthermore the data associated to air humidity measurements is also used to calculate the real evapotranspiration of the forest ecosystem.

The measurement data from each anemometer is collected every half hour and is streamed daily to the main data server in Italy. 

Gill’s anemometers were chosen for the project due to their reputation for high quality, easy installation and above all, for their solid-state construction which offers huge advantages over other mechanical instruments.

For more information on Gill’s range of ultrasonic anemometers contact +44(0)1590 613500.

Visit the Barbeau Field Station website for more information.

RECOMMENDED POSTS

06/05/2025

Gill Instruments recognised with prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade.

21/03/2025

Solar farms - WindSonic provides critical wind data to safeguard solar tracking farms.

13/03/2025

DC21 Operations and Gill Instruments join forces to enhance Endurance Wind Turbine performance through innovative sensor technology

07/02/2025

OSIL Fulmar Buoy fitted with MaxiMet GMX501

16/01/2025

WindSonic, market leading 2-axis wind sensors, now easier to integrate into more systems

18/11/2024

Monitoring Wind at the World’s Tallest Building: Gill WindSonic at the Burj Khalifa

06/11/2024

With a host of new products and product improvements, the latest version of the Gill Product Catalogue includes the new ranges.

The Product Catalogue now includes WindUltra, Gill's most compact high accuracy ultrasonic wind sensor. WindUltra is amongst the toughest in the industry with innovative rapid mounting and alignment features.
Read more

30/09/2024

We are very pleased to announce that Gill has officially been awarded ISO45001 certification. This further reinforces our commitment to health, safety and well-being in the workplace.

ISO45001 is an internationally recognised standard that not only accompanies our other ISO accreditations (ISO9001& ISO14001) but also helps us manage our occupational health and safety risks. This reflects our dedication to creating a safe environment for all or our employees.
Thank you to our dedicated teams for their hard work in achieving this milestone.

16/09/2024

The MaxiMet range of compact, integrated weather stations are deployed widely in commercial, scientific and government organisations across land and marine applications.

28/08/2024

Product documentation updates including MaxiMet, WindSonic, WindObserver and Research datasheets and manuals.