Course Description
An introduction to the interactions between the biosphere and atmosphere. Energy, moisture, and carbon exchange in the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum with applications to managed and natural environments. The impact of weather and climate on humans and domesticated animals. Elementary turbulent exchange theory will be introduced.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Students will be required to submit an additional literature review and/or research project related to microclimatology. Possible research projects or literature review topics include: the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum, soil moisture measurements and models, agrometeorological models, biometeorology, and surface layer turbulence. Graduate students will be required to review a journal article as part of their exam.
Athena Title
Environmental Microclimatology
Prerequisite
(MATH 2500 or MATH 2270) and (PHYS 1212-1212L or PHYS 1312-1312L or PHYS 1252)
Semester Course Offered
Not offered on a regular basis.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
1. Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum. 2. Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the microclimate impacts managed and natural ecosystems. 3. Students will be able to demonstrate the use of climate information in management decisions involving managed and natural ecosystems.
Topical Outline
Week 1. Fundamental of Solar and Terrestrial Radiation Laboratory: None the first week Week 2. The Radiation Balance Laboratory: Solar and Terrestrial Radiation Measurements Week 3. Soil Heat Flux and Soil Temperature Laboratory: Soil Heat Flux and Soil Temperature Measurements Week 4. Air Temperature and Sensible Heat Flux Laboratory: Measurements of Air Temperature and Sensible Heat Flux Week 5. Wind and Turbulent Transfer Laboratory: Measurement of Turbulent Heat Flux Week 6. Atmospheric Humidity and Dew Laboratory: Measurement of Turbulent Moisture Flux Week 7: Modification of Soil Temperature and Moisture Regimes Laboratory: Temperature and Moisture Data Interpretation Week 8: Evaporation and Evapotranspiration, Part I Laboratory: Estimating Pan and Lake Evaporation Week 9: Evaporation and Evapotranspiration, Part II Laboratory: Estimating Evapotranspiration Week 10: Field Photosynthesis, Respiration, and Carbon Balance Laboratory: Field Measurement of Photosynthesis Week 11: Windbreaks and Shelter Effects Laboratory: Basic Statics of Climatic Elements Week 12: Frost and Frost Control Laboratory: Data Analysis for Frost Prevention Week 13: Water Use Efficiency in Plants Laboratory: Water Use Efficiency Models Week 14: Animal Biometeorology Laboratory: Analysis of Morbidity, Mortality and Climate Week 15: Human Biometeorology Laboratory: None the last week