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 agricultural 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
Agri and Environ Climatology
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)
Student learning Outcomes
- Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum.
- Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the microclimate impacts managed and natural ecosystems.
- Students will be able to demonstrate the use of climate information in management decisions involving managed and natural ecosystems.
Topical Outline
- Fundamental of Solar and Terrestrial Radiation; Laboratory: None the first week
- The Radiation Balance; Laboratory: Solar and Terrestrial Radiation Measurements
- Soil Heat Flux and Soil Temperature; Laboratory: Soil Heat Flux and Soil Temperature Measurements
- Air Temperature and Sensible Heat Flux; Laboratory: Measurements of Air Temperature and Sensible Heat Flux
- Wind and Turbulent Transfer; Laboratory: Measurement of Turbulent Heat Flux
- Atmospheric Humidity and Dew; Laboratory: Measurement of Turbulent Moisture Flux
- Modification of Soil Temperature and Moisture Regimes; Laboratory: Temperature and Moisture Data Interpretation
- Evaporation and Evapotranspiration, Part I; Laboratory: Estimating Pan and Lake Evaporation
- Field Photosynthesis, Respiration, and Carbon Balance; Laboratory: Field Measurement of Photosynthesis
- Windbreaks and Shelter Effects; Laboratory: Basic Statics of Climatic Elements
- Frost and Frost Control; Laboratory: Data Analysis for Frost Prevention
- Water Use Efficiency in Plants; Laboratory: Water Use Efficiency Models
- Animal Biometeorology; Laboratory: Analysis of Morbidity, Mortality and Climate
