Modelling terrestrial water and energy balances at local (1 km2) scales

R. P. Silberstein, M. Sivapalan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

A model is presented which couples the land surface energy balance with the soil and surface water balance through transpiration and bare soil evaporation. Soil moisture is modelled as three interconnected stores, which control stomatal resistance, soil surface moisture potential, and runoff generation. Moisture is extracted from the soil stores according to their saturation status, and atmospheric demand, and this feeds back to the energy balance. When pasture replaces forest, the model predicts a rise in effective surface temperature of about 3 K, a reduction in moisture flux of around 50%, a three-fold increase in runoff, and an increase in mean soil moisture status. -from Authors

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)105-114
Number of pages10
JournalUnknown Journal
StatePublished - 1993
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Environmental Science
  • General Earth and Planetary Sciences

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Modelling terrestrial water and energy balances at local (1 km2) scales'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this