In order to improve the comparability of trace gas measurements made by various science teams, the BOReal Ecosystem-Atmosphere Study (BOREAS) obtained several cylinders of carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) that were used as calibration standards. The cylinders were stored in the field laboratories established in Paddockwood, Saskatchewan (Southern Study Area) (SSA) and in Thompson, Manitoba (Northern Study Area) (NSA) from May 1994 until November 1996.