scholarly journals High resolution land surface fluxes from satellite data (HOLAPS v1.0): evaluation and uncertainty assessment

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 10783-10841
Author(s):  
A. Loew ◽  
J. Peng ◽  
M. Borsche
Keyword(s):  
Surface Energy ◽  
Latent Heat ◽  
Satellite Data ◽  
Land Surface ◽  
Global Solar Radiation ◽  
Surface Fluxes ◽  
Heat Fluxes ◽  
Surface Radiation ◽  
Water Fluxes ◽  
Essential Components

Abstract. Surface water and energy fluxes are essential components of the Earth system. Surface latent heat fluxes provide major energy input to the atmosphere. Despite the importance of these fluxes, state-of-the-art datasets of surface energy and water fluxes largely differ. The present paper introduces a new framework for the estimation of surface energy and water fluxes at the land surface, which allows for temporally and spatially high resolved flux estimates at the global scale (HOLAPS). The framework maximizes the usage of existing long-term satellite data records and ensures internally consistent estimates of the surface radiation and water fluxes. The manuscript introduces the technical details of the developed framework and provides results of a comprehensive sensitivity and evaluation study. Overall the results indicate very good agreement with in situ observations when compared against 49 FLUXNET stations worldwide. Largest uncertainties of latent heat flux and net radiation were found to result from uncertainties in the global solar radiation flux obtained from satellite data products.

scholarly journals High-resolution land surface fluxes from satellite and reanalysis data (HOLAPS v1.0): evaluation and uncertainty assessment

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 2499-2532 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Loew ◽  
Jian Peng ◽  
Michael Borsche
Keyword(s):  
Heat Flux ◽  
High Resolution ◽  
Surface Energy ◽  
Latent Heat ◽  
Latent Heat Flux ◽  
Land Surface ◽  
Reanalysis Data ◽  
Surface Radiation ◽  
Water Fluxes ◽  
Essential Components

Abstract. Surface water and energy fluxes are essential components of the Earth system. Surface latent heat fluxes provide major energy input to the atmosphere. Despite the importance of these fluxes, state-of-the-art data sets of surface energy and water fluxes largely differ. The present paper introduces a new framework for the estimation of surface energy and water fluxes at the land surface, which allows for temporally and spatially high-resolved flux estimates at the quasi-global scale (50° S, 50° N) (High resOlution Land Atmosphere Parameters from Space – HOLAPS v1.0). The framework makes use of existing long-term satellite and reanalysis data records and ensures internally consistent estimates of the surface radiation and water fluxes. The manuscript introduces the technical details of the developed framework and provides results of a comprehensive sensitivity and evaluation study. Overall the root mean square difference (RMSD) was found to be 51.2 (30.7) W m−2 for hourly (daily) latent heat flux, and 84 (38) W m−2 for sensible heat flux when compared against 48 FLUXNET stations worldwide. The largest uncertainties of latent heat flux and net radiation were found to result from uncertainties in the solar radiation flux obtained from satellite data products.

Observed Impact of Atmospheric Aerosols on the Surface Energy Budget

2013 ◽  
Vol 17 (14) ◽  
pp. 1-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allison L. Steiner ◽  
Dori Mermelstein ◽  
Susan J. Cheng ◽  
Tracy E. Twine ◽  
Andrew Oliphant
Keyword(s):  
Heat Flux ◽  
Surface Energy ◽  
Latent Heat ◽  
Atmospheric Aerosols ◽  
Sensible Heat Flux ◽  
Surface Fluxes ◽  
Heat Fluxes ◽  
Surface Energy Budget ◽  
Environmental Drivers ◽  
Sensible Heat

Abstract Atmospheric aerosols scatter and potentially absorb incoming solar radiation, thereby reducing the total amount of radiation reaching the surface and increasing the fraction that is diffuse. The partitioning of incoming energy at the surface into sensible heat flux and latent heat flux is postulated to change with increasing aerosol concentrations, as an increase in diffuse light can reach greater portions of vegetated canopies. This can increase photosynthesis and transpiration rates in the lower canopy and potentially decrease the ratio of sensible to latent heat for the entire canopy. Here, half-hourly and hourly surface fluxes from six Flux Network (FLUXNET) sites in the coterminous United States are evaluated over the past decade (2000–08) in conjunction with satellite-derived aerosol optical depth (AOD) to determine if atmospheric aerosols systematically influence sensible and latent heat fluxes. Satellite-derived AOD is used to classify days as high or low AOD and establish the relationship between aerosol concentrations and the surface energy fluxes. High AOD reduces midday net radiation by 6%–65% coupled with a 9%–30% decrease in sensible and latent heat fluxes, although not all sites exhibit statistically significant changes. The partitioning between sensible and latent heat varies between ecosystems, with two sites showing a greater decrease in latent heat than sensible heat (Duke Forest and Walker Branch), two sites showing equivalent reductions (Harvard Forest and Bondville), and one site showing a greater decrease in sensible heat than latent heat (Morgan–Monroe). These results suggest that aerosols trigger an ecosystem-dependent response to surface flux partitioning, yet the environmental drivers for this response require further exploration.

scholarly journals Irrigated plantations and their effect on energy fluxes in a semi-arid region of Israel – a validated 3-D model simulation

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 13897-13953
Author(s):  
O. Branch ◽  
K. Warrach-Sagi ◽  
V. Wulfmeyer ◽  
S. Cohen
Keyword(s):  
Energy Balance ◽  
Latent Heat ◽  
Land Surface ◽  
Arid Region ◽  
Model Simulation ◽  
Vapour Pressure Deficit ◽  
Heat Fluxes ◽  
Surface Radiation ◽  
Surface Model ◽  
Energy Fluxes

Abstract. A large irrigated biomass plantation was simulated in an arid region of Israel within the WRF-NOAH coupled atmospheric/land surface model in order to assess land surface atmosphere feedbacks. Simulations were carried out for the 2012 summer season (JJA). The irrigated plantations were simulated by prescribing tailored land surface and soil/plant parameters, and by implementing a newly devised, controllable sub-surface irrigation scheme within NOAH. Two model cases studies were considered and compared – Impact and Control. Impact simulates a hypothetical 10 km × 10 km irrigated plantation. Control represents a baseline and uses the existing land surface data, where the predominant land surface type in the area is bare desert soil. Central to the study is model validation against observations collected for the study over the same period. Surface meteorological and soil observations were made at a desert site and from a 400 ha Simmondsia chinensis (Jojoba) plantation. Control was validated with data from the desert, and Impact from the Jojoba. Finally, estimations were made of the energy balance, applying two Penman–Monteith based methods along with observed meteorological data. These estimations were compared with simulated energy fluxes. Control simulates the daytime desert surface 2 m air temperatures (T2) with less than 0.2 °C deviation and the vapour pressure deficit (VPD) to within 0.25 hPa. Desert wind speed (U) is simulated to within 0.5 m s−1 and the net surface radiation (Rn) to 25 W m−2. Soil heat flux (G) is not so accurately simulated by Control (up to 30 W m−2 deviation) and 5 cm soil temperatures (ST5) are simulated to within 1.5 °C. Impact simulates daytime T2 over irrigated vegetation to within 1–1.5 °C, the VPD to 0.5 hPa, Rn to 50 W m−2 and ST5 to within 2 °C. Simulated Impact G deviates up to 40 W m−2, highlighting a need for re-parameterisation or better soil classification, but the overall contribution to the energy balance is small (5–6%). During the night, significant T2 and ST5 cold biases of 2–4 °C are present. Diurnal latent heat values from WRF Impact correspond closely with Penman–Monteith estimation curves, and latent heat magnitudes of 160 W m−2 over the plantation are usual. Simulated plantation sensible heat fluxes are high (450 W m−2) – around 100–110 W m−2 higher than over the surrounding desert. The high relative HFX over the vegetation, driven by high Rn and high surface resistances, indicate that low Bowen ratios should not necessarily be assumed when irrigated plantations are implemented in, and optimized for arid regions. Furthermore, the high plantation T2 magnitudes highlight the importance of considering diurnal dynamics, which drive the evolution of boundary layers, rather than only on daily mean statistics which often indicate an irrigation cooling effect.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Surface Flux Parameterizations with Long-Term ARM Observations

2013 ◽  
Vol 141 (2) ◽  
pp. 773-797 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gang Liu ◽  
Yangang Liu ◽  
Satoshi Endo
Keyword(s):  
Latent Heat ◽  
Land Surface ◽  
Bowen Ratio ◽  
Surface Flux ◽  
Surface Fluxes ◽  
Heat Fluxes ◽  
Parameterization Schemes ◽  
Surface Models ◽  
Flux Parameterization

Abstract Surface momentum, sensible heat, and latent heat fluxes are critical for atmospheric processes such as clouds and precipitation, and are parameterized in a variety of models ranging from cloud-resolving models to large-scale weather and climate models. However, direct evaluation of the parameterization schemes for these surface fluxes is rare due to limited observations. This study takes advantage of the long-term observations of surface fluxes collected at the Southern Great Plains site by the Department of Energy Atmospheric Radiation Measurement program to evaluate the six surface flux parameterization schemes commonly used in the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model and three U.S. general circulation models (GCMs). The unprecedented 7-yr-long measurements by the eddy correlation (EC) and energy balance Bowen ratio (EBBR) methods permit statistical evaluation of all six parameterizations under a variety of stability conditions, diurnal cycles, and seasonal variations. The statistical analyses show that the momentum flux parameterization agrees best with the EC observations, followed by latent heat flux, sensible heat flux, and evaporation ratio/Bowen ratio. The overall performance of the parameterizations depends on atmospheric stability, being best under neutral stratification and deteriorating toward both more stable and more unstable conditions. Further diagnostic analysis reveals that in addition to the parameterization schemes themselves, the discrepancies between observed and parameterized sensible and latent heat fluxes may stem from inadequate use of input variables such as surface temperature, moisture availability, and roughness length. The results demonstrate the need for improving the land surface models and measurements of surface properties, which would permit the evaluation of full land surface models.

New results of the Land Atmosphere Feedback Experiment (LAFE)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Volker Wulfmeyer ◽  
David D. Turner
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Latent Heat ◽  
Land Surface ◽  
Transport Processes ◽  
Surface Fluxes ◽  
Heat Fluxes ◽  
Model Verification ◽  
Sensing Systems ◽  
Remote Sensing Systems ◽  
The Impact

<p>The Land-Atmosphere Feedback Experiment (LAFE) deployed several state-of-the-art scanning lidar and remote sensing systems to the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Program Southern Great Plains (SPG) site during August 2017. A novel synergy of remote sensing systems was applied for simultaneous measurements of land-surface fluxes and horizontal and vertical transport processes in the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL). The impact of spatial inhomogeneities of the soil-vegetation continuum on L-A feedback was studied using the scanning capability of the instrumentation as well as soil, vegetation, and surface flux measurements. Thus, both the variability of surface fluxes and ABL dynamics and thermodynamics over the SGP site was studied for the first time. The objectives of LAFE are as follows:</p><p>I. Determine turbulence profiles and investigate new relationships among  gradients, variances, and fluxes<br>II. Map surface momentum, sensible heat, and latent heat fluxes using a synergy of scanning wind, humidity, and temperature lidar systems<br>III. Characterize land-atmosphere feedback and the moisture budget at the SGP site via the new LAFE sensor synergy<br>IV: Verify large-eddy simulation model runs and improve turbulence representations in mesoscale models.</p><p>In this presentation, the status of LAFE research and recent achievements of the science objectives are presented and discussed. Concerning I., long-term profiling capabilities of turbulent properties have been developed and will be presented such as continuous measurements of latent heat flux profiles for a duration of one month. Concerning II., we present a combination of tower and remote sensing measurements to study surface layer profiles of wind, temperature, and humidity. A first evaluation of the results demonstrates significant deviations from Monin-Obukhov similarity theory. Concerning III., Convective Triggering Potential (CTP)-Humidity Index (HIlow) metrics are presented at the SGP site to characterize L-A feedback and a new technique for determination of water-vapor advection, as important part of its budget. Last but not least, concerning IV., we present an advanced ensemble model design with turbulence permitting resolution for case studies and model verification from the convection-permitting to the turbulent scales in a realistic mesoscale environment. Using this framework, we introduce a strategy to apply the observations for the test and development of turbulence parameterizations. These results confirm that LAFE will make significant contributions to process understanding and the parameterization of the next generation of high-resolution weather forecast, climate, and earth system models.</p>

scholarly journals Influence of Land Cover and Soil Moisture on the Horizontal Distribution of Sensible and Latent Heat Fluxes in Southeast Kansas during IHOP_2002 and CASES-97

2007 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 68-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret A. LeMone ◽  
Fei Chen ◽  
Joseph G. Alfieri ◽  
Mukul Tewari ◽  
Bart Geerts ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Latent Heat ◽  
Land Surface ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Time Of Day ◽  
Horizontal Distribution ◽  
Heat Fluxes ◽  
Surface Model ◽  
Green Vegetation ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Analyses of daytime fair-weather aircraft and surface-flux tower data from the May–June 2002 International H2O Project (IHOP_2002) and the April–May 1997 Cooperative Atmosphere Surface Exchange Study (CASES-97) are used to document the role of vegetation, soil moisture, and terrain in determining the horizontal variability of latent heat LE and sensible heat H along a 46-km flight track in southeast Kansas. Combining the two field experiments clearly reveals the strong influence of vegetation cover, with H maxima over sparse/dormant vegetation, and H minima over green vegetation; and, to a lesser extent, LE maxima over green vegetation, and LE minima over sparse/dormant vegetation. If the small number of cases is producing the correct trend, other effects of vegetation and the impact of soil moisture emerge through examining the slope ΔxyLE/ΔxyH for the best-fit straight line for plots of time-averaged LE as a function of time-averaged H over the area. Based on the surface energy balance, H + LE = Rnet − Gsfc, where Rnet is the net radiation and Gsfc is the flux into the soil; Rnet − Gsfc ∼ constant over the area implies an approximately −1 slope. Right after rainfall, H and LE vary too little horizontally to define a slope. After sufficient drying to produce enough horizontal variation to define a slope, a steep (∼−2) slope emerges. The slope becomes shallower and better defined with time as H and LE horizontal variability increases. Similarly, the slope becomes more negative with moister soils. In addition, the slope can change with time of day due to phase differences in H and LE. These trends are based on land surface model (LSM) runs and observations collected under nearly clear skies; the vegetation is unstressed for the days examined. LSM runs suggest terrain may also play a role, but observational support is weak.

The Effect of Soil on the Summertime Surface Energy Budget of a Humid Subarctic Tundra in Northern Quebec, Canada

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (10) ◽  
pp. 2547-2564
Author(s):  
Georg Lackner ◽  
Daniel F. Nadeau ◽  
Florent Domine ◽  
Annie-Claude Parent ◽  
Gonzalo Leonardini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heat Flux ◽  
Latent Heat ◽  
Latent Heat Flux ◽  
Land Surface ◽  
Sensible Heat Flux ◽  
Arctic Region ◽  
Heat Fluxes ◽  
Surface Energy Budget ◽  
Turbulent Heat ◽  
Turbulent Heat Fluxes

AbstractRising temperatures in the southern Arctic region are leading to shrub expansion and permafrost degradation. The objective of this study is to analyze the surface energy budget (SEB) of a subarctic shrub tundra site that is subject to these changes, on the east coast of Hudson Bay in eastern Canada. We focus on the turbulent heat fluxes, as they have been poorly quantified in this region. This study is based on data collected by a flux tower using the eddy covariance approach and focused on snow-free periods. Furthermore, we compare our results with those from six Fluxnet sites in the Arctic region and analyze the performance of two land surface models, SVS and ISBA, in simulating soil moisture and turbulent heat fluxes. We found that 23% of the net radiation was converted into latent heat flux at our site, 35% was used for sensible heat flux, and about 15% for ground heat flux. These results were surprising considering our site was by far the wettest site among those studied, and most of the net radiation at the other Arctic sites was consumed by the latent heat flux. We attribute this behavior to the high hydraulic conductivity of the soil (littoral and intertidal sediments), typical of what is found in the coastal regions of the eastern Canadian Arctic. Land surface models overestimated the surface water content of those soils but were able to accurately simulate the turbulent heat flux, particularly the sensible heat flux and, to a lesser extent, the latent heat flux.

Subcloud and Cloud-Base Latent Heat Fluxes during Shallow Cumulus Convection

2019 ◽  
Vol 77 (3) ◽  
pp. 1081-1100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neil P. Lareau
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Water Vapor ◽  
Latent Heat ◽  
Surface Fluxes ◽  
Heat Fluxes ◽  
Cloud Base ◽  
Cumulus Convection ◽  
Mixing Ratio ◽  
Convective Boundary ◽  
Water Vapor Mixing Ratio

Abstract Doppler and Raman lidar observations of vertical velocity and water vapor mixing ratio are used to probe the physics and statistics of subcloud and cloud-base latent heat fluxes during cumulus convection at the ARM Southern Great Plains (SGP) site in Oklahoma, United States. The statistical results show that latent heat fluxes increase with height from the surface up to ~0.8Zi (where Zi is the convective boundary layer depth) and then decrease to ~0 at Zi. Peak fluxes aloft exceeding 500 W m−2 are associated with periods of increased cumulus cloud cover and stronger jumps in the mean humidity profile. These entrainment fluxes are much larger than the surface fluxes, indicating substantial drying over the 0–0.8Zi layer accompanied by moistening aloft as the CBL deepens over the diurnal cycle. We also show that the boundary layer humidity budget is approximately closed by computing the flux divergence across the 0–0.8Zi layer. Composite subcloud velocity and water vapor anomalies show that clouds are linked to coherent updraft and moisture plumes. The moisture anomaly is Gaussian, most pronounced above 0.8Zi and systematically wider than the velocity anomaly, which has a narrow central updraft flanked by downdrafts. This size and shape disparity results in downdrafts characterized by a high water vapor mixing ratio and thus a broad joint probability density function (JPDF) of velocity and mixing ratio in the upper CBL. We also show that cloud-base latent heat fluxes can be both positive and negative and that the instantaneous positive fluxes can be very large (~10 000 W m−2). However, since cloud fraction tends to be small, the net impact of these fluxes remains modest.

scholarly journals Simulation of semi-arid biomass plantations and irrigation using the WRF-NOAH model – a comparison with observations from Israel

2014 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 1761-1783 ◽  
Author(s):  
O. Branch ◽  
K. Warrach-Sagi ◽  
V. Wulfmeyer ◽  
S. Cohen
Keyword(s):  
Land Surface ◽  
High Surface ◽  
Land Surface Model ◽  
Vapour Pressure Deficit ◽  
Soil Heat Flux ◽  
Heat Fluxes ◽  
Surface Radiation ◽  
Surface Model ◽  
Maximum Deviation ◽  
Soil Temperatures

Abstract. A 10 × 10 km irrigated biomass plantation was simulated in an arid region of Israel to simulate diurnal energy balances during the summer of 2012 (JJA). The goal is to examine daytime horizontal flux gradients between plantation and desert. Simulations were carried out within the coupled WRF-NOAH atmosphere/land surface model. MODIS land surface data was adjusted by prescribing tailored land surface and soil/plant parameters, and by adding a controllable sub-surface irrigation scheme to NOAH. Two model cases studies were compared – Impact and Control. Impact simulates the irrigated plantation. Control simulates the existing land surface, where the predominant land surface is bare desert soil. Central to the study is parameter validation against land surface observations from a desert site and from a 400 ha Simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) plantation. Control was validated with desert observations, and Impact with Jojoba observations. Model evapotranspiration was validated with two Penman–Monteith estimates based on the observations. Control simulates daytime desert conditions with a maximum deviation for surface 2 m air temperatures (T2) of 0.2 °C, vapour pressure deficit (VPD) of 0.25 hPa, wind speed (U) of 0.5 m s−1, surface radiation (Rn) of 25 W m−2, soil heat flux (G) of 30 W m−2 and 5 cm soil temperatures (ST5) of 1.5 °C. Impact simulates irrigated vegetation conditions with a maximum deviation for T2 of 1–1.5 °C, VPD of 0.5 hPa, U of 0.5 m s−1, Rn of 50 W m−5, G of 40 W m−2 and ST5 of 2 °C. Latent heat curves in Impact correspond closely with Penman–Monteith estimates, and magnitudes of 160 W m−2 over the plantation are usual. Sensible heat fluxes, are around 450 W m−2 and are at least 100–110 W m−2 higher than the surrounding desert. This surplus is driven by reduced albedo and high surface resistance, and demonstrates that high evaporation rates may not occur over Jojoba if irrigation is optimized. Furthermore, increased daytime T2 over plantations highlight the need for hourly as well as daily mean statistics. Daily mean statistics alone may imply an overall cooling effect due to surplus nocturnal cooling, when in fact a daytime warming effect is observed.

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