The Thunderbird Micronet is a new data collection system intended to obtain fine-scale spatial and temporal measurements of temperature, relative humidity, and liquid precipitation. The Micronet will be used by students at the University of Oklahoma to conduct studies of environmental variability, climate change, micro-climate relationships, and climate effects on biological processes and biodiversity.

Funding for this project was provided by the University of Oklahoma Research/Creative Activity Program and the School of Meteorology.

Principal Investigators:

Dr. Alan Shapiro (Meteorology)
Dr. Bruce Hoagland (Geography and Oklahoma Biological Survey)
Dr. Frank W. Gallagher III (Meteorology)

The Micronet consists of 28 temperature and relative humidity stations, three precipitation stations, and portable soil moisture sensors. The temperature and relative humidity (T/RH) sensors are HOBO H8 Pro sensor/loggers made by Onset Computer Corporation. The T/RH sensor are enclosed in a solar radiation shield. The precipitation sensors are the RG2 data logging tipping bucket rain gauges also made by Onset Computer Corporation.

The soil moisture probes are the Hydrosense Soil Moisture System made by Spectrum.

Timetable of Events:

December 2001: Award of Thunderbird Micronet grant.
January 2002: Acquisition of Sensors
February 2002: Installation of Micronet -- Photographs