Energy Biosphere Flashcards
Sun
ultimate source of energy for movement and storage of water and for its change of state throughout hydrologic cycle
Measure Energy
in calories
Calorie
energy required to raise 1g of water at standard temp and pressure 1 degree C
Langley
how we measure energy we recieve from the sun in cal/cm^2
Solar Constant
2.0 langly/min (Ly/min)
Evaporation
cooling process, quite slow
Bodies
recieve and transmit energy
Black Body
absorbs all wavelength or incoming energy and reflect/transmit none
As Bodies Absorb Energy
tends to heat up as long as it doesn’t change state; emit more energy at shorter wavelength and reverse as it cools
Sun vs. Earth: Sun
emits a lot of energy in short wavelength range
Sun vs. Earth: Earth
much cooler; emits longer wavelength radiation
Wavelengths
terrestrial emissions are very long compared to solar emissions; we see is a very small band
Color
what we see is what is being reflected and everything else is absorbed
Albedo
ability of a body to absorb energy; % incident radiation reflected
High Albedo
large % is reflected, not absorbed
Albedo Varies With
wavelength
Sun’s Shortwave Incident Radiation
reflected by atmosphere, some absorbed, and some transmitted
Transmitted Energy
can again be transmitted, absorbed, or reflected by bodies
Sensible Heat
heat we feel; moves by conduction (s & l) or convection (g)
Latent Heat
potential heat; accounts for evaporation, liquefaction, etc.
Evapotranspiration Surface
factors that effect the evaporation/transpiration potential of the surface
Evapotranspiration Surface Characteristics
field, mature growth, clear-cut, color, etc.; moisture at surface
Solid Forest Canopy
type of black body (good absorber) and good radiator; great effect on shortwave, little on longwave
Greenhouse Effect
longwave emitted from canopy may be captured by atmosphere due to high moisture and CO2
Net Result of Forest Canopy
forests are cooler during the day and warmer at night
Radiation
function of temp; can estimate canopy temp by sensing radiant flux at some wavelength
Evapotranspiration
amount is directly related to available energy; evaporation if surface is wet, none if dry
Land Management Effect
forests are most efficient at using available energy for evapotranspiration; clear cuts and meadows are much less efficient
Evapotranspiration and Biosphere
vegetated zone; has movement, processes, and storage capabilities; water may move between atmosphere and soil
Interception
results in an amount of precipitation being prevented as it attempts to reach the ground; can be redistributed; depth, not volume; referred to as a loss
Interception and Redistribution Cycle
precipitation falls, intercepted water is evaporated, drips, throughfall, stemflow…repeat
Interception Mechanics
slows down fall velocity, protects soil from eroding, high canopies could reproduce tall velocities
Erosion Effects
fine particles clog pores, raindrop impacts or overland flow initiate erosion, soil aggregates break down
Forest Litter
leaves > wet leaves > decomposition > soil (top to bottom); stores tons of water
Increase Interception
conversion to pine/fir; decreases amount reaching ground
Decrease Interception
thinning of forest; increases amount reaching ground
