Measurement of surface respiration: An IoT approach.

In a climate change context, respiration (bidirectional flows of $CO_{2}$ and water) of natural surfaces (terrestrial and water bodies) is the main process that seems able to mitigate the effects of anthropic emissions. To the scope measurement of $CO_{2}$ and water fluxes on the different types of surface is still an important issue. Neither word-wide networks of weather stations nor satellite sensors are presently giving enough information to monitor flows of $CO_{2}$ and water to and from a surface. Terrestrial ecosystems, both natural and cultivated are characterised by a great variety, due to climate, soil and vegetation layers. Water flows and $CO_{2}$ are interrelated and affected by soil microbic activity, and the interaction with plant, affecting $CO_{2}$ assimilation (photosynthesis). That is the reason why $CO_{2}$ and water flows should be measured in the same time. The presented solution is based on use of low-cost sensors for humidity and $CO_{2}$ concentration assembled in a IOT compliant device. Measurements and estimates of flows are showing how the IoT approach can be used to obtain scalable seasonal maps of surface respiration.