How representative is a point? The spatial variability of surface energy fluxes across short distances in a sand-sagebrush ecosystem

► Fluxes collected at a sagebrush site by two Eddy Covariance systems were compared. ► Significant differences in the fluxes were observed over a few tens of meters. ► Differences in the fluxes were linked to small variations in surface properties. ► This suggests point measurements cannot be assumed to represent this environment. ► It also suggests a source of uncertainty in model validation studies.