The SRS-1000 consists of a console programming unit and a soil respiration chamber. The highly accurate miniaturized CO₂ infra red gas analyzer is housed directly adjacent to the soil chamber, ensuring the fastest possible response to gas exchanges from the soil. This "open system" has an operating range of 0-2000ppm, with a resolution of 1ppm. The IRGA has been designed to have minimal drift. All measurements are automatically compensated for atmospheric pressure and temperature.

Pressure variations in some soil chamber designs can lead to a suppressing or enhancing of CO₂ exchanges. The Soil Respiration Chamber has been specifically designed to ensure that there is no internal pressure gradient. Incorporation of an integral pressure release valve ensures that there is no significant difference between the chamber headspace and outside atmospheric pressure.

The chamber consists of an upper chamber and a metal collar. The collar is inserted into the soil to ensure optimal upper chamber positioning, regardless of soil condition, and to ensure that total soil flux activity is measured with the chamber area. This collar maybe left in the soil for long-term comparative studies.

In addition to gas exchange data and soil flux calculations the system also measures soil temperature. This is supplied by a high quality soil temperature sensor. The Chamber features an internal circulatory fan, which is powered by the main system console.