On the nature of canopy illumination due to differences in elemental orientation and aggregation for radiative transfer

International Journal of Biometeorology
Ajit Govind

Abstract

The nature of canopy radiative transfer mechanism (CRTM) describes the amount of beam penetration through a canopy and governs the nature of canopy illumination, i.e. the abundance of sunlit and shaded portions. Realistic representation of canopy illumination is critical for simulating various canopy biophysical processes associated with vegetated land surfaces. The adequate representation of CRTM can be attributed to the parameterizations of the two main canopy characteristics: the foliage projection (G-function) and the clumping effect (Ω function). Herein, using various types of G and Ω functions developed in a previous study, I tested 15 CRTM scenarios that combine different types of G and Ω functions to predict the dynamics of sunlit fraction (ε) of canopies having a wide range of plant area index (Ptotal) at various solar zenith angles (SZAs). It was observed that, for a given Ptotal, ε decreases as the SZA increases. However, ε significantly changed in accordance with the type of G and Ω functions used. Scenarios that employed random distribution of elements in space (S-4, S-9, and S-14) consistently returned larger ε values even at lower SZAs. This means that ignoring the clumping behavior of canopies could result in gr...Continue Reading

References


❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.