Title: TundraFlux: A database of ecosystem respiration with biotic and abiotic metadata from Arctic and alpine tundra warming experiments
Citation: Schwieger, S. (2026). TundraFlux: A database of ecosystem respiration with biotic and abiotic metadata from Arctic and alpine tundra warming experiments (Version v1.0.0) [Dataset]. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17976235
Study Site: Arctic and alpine Canada
Purpose: Empirical in-situ measurements of ecosystem carbon dioxide respiration (Reco) in high-latitude ecosystems remain limited, yet they are essential for understanding how tundra carbon cycling responds to climate warming across different environmental contexts and for reducing uncertainties in upscaled carbon budgets and carbon–climate feedbacks. Here, we present the TundraFlux Database, which to date is the most comprehensive synthesis of tundra Reco responses to experimental warming. The database compiles over 24,000 daily-aggregated in-situ Reco measurements from control and plots warmed with open-top chambers at 64 Arctic and alpine tundra sites across 12 countries. By coupling Reco measurements with extensive metadata on climate, vegetation, and soil characteristics, the TundraFlux Database enables the integration of field-scale ecological processes into large-scale models, offering new opportunities to refine global carbon budgets and test predictions of tundra ecosystem responses to warming. Open access to the TundraFlux Database empowers the research community to better quantify and predict how warming alters carbon cycling in Arctic and alpine tundra ecosystems.
Abstract: TundraFlux Database is an open, curated database of in-situ ecosystem respiration (Reco) measurements from Arctic and alpine tundra ecosystems, designed to support synthesis research on carbon cycling responses to experimental warming. The database compiles in situ Reco observations from open-top chamber (OTC) warming experiments and paired control plots across 64 tundra sites in 12 countries, spanning a wide range of climatic, edaphic, and vegetation conditions.
The database includes both contributor-submitted flux-level measurements and daily aggregated Reco values calculated at the plot level. Flux measurements originate from site-specific sampling protocols and may represent single observations per year, seasonal campaigns, weekly or daily measurements, or multiple measurements within a day. Daily aggregation is provided as a service to users to harmonize temporal resolution across sites while retaining the original measurements for custom filtering and alternative aggregation strategies.
Supplemental Information Summary:
Research:
Further Info: Schwieger, S., et al. TundraFlux: a database of ecosystem respiration with biotic and abiotic metadata from Arctic and alpine tundra warming experiments, Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 18, 4965–4982, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-18-4965-2026, 2026.
Status: Complete
Keywords:
carbon dioxide,
vegetation,
meteorology,
soil carbon,
permafrost,
climate change,
Geographical coordinates: North: 68.97, South: 55.17 East: -89.800000 West: -109.80
Bounding Temporal Extent: Start Date: 2000-01-01, End
Date: 2024-12-31
