Biometeorological modeling

Subject description

Plant-Ecosystem-Atmosphere Interactions relevant aspects of micrometeorology, soil physics, physiological ecology, ecosystem ecology and biogeochemistry. Instrumentation and measurements, associated with the study of plant biometeorology.

Water and energy exchange of ecosystems.

Modeling biophysical processes (e.g. turbulence and diffusion, momentum and photon transfer through vegetation, evaporation, photosynthesis, plant and soil respiration, and stomatal mechanics)

Water cycle models. Quantifying Interception of precipitation, outflows on stems and trunks. Methods for evapotranspiration calculation – aero dynamical, radiation, empirical. Modelling leaf wetness duration.

Crop models. Parameterization of plant canopy in models. Simple statistical and dynamical agro meteorological models. Meteorological driving variables and parameters.

Terrestrial phenological modeling. Statistical, causal and dynamical models. Verification, calibration, sensitivity of models. The effects of climate change on plant life cycle events.

The inadvertent modification of the atmosphere by living systems, especially human (studies of pollution, climate change impacts, changes to atmospheric amenity, and the processes of deterioration of landscape including deforestation and desertification)

Biometeorlogical models of the built environment The intentional modifications of natural energy and matter flows within urban areas, and indoor climate constructions. Modeling indoor climate, urban design, and architecture.

The subject is taught in programs

Objectives and competences

Understanding of weater and climate impact on living organisms and physical factors that influence climate.
Knowledge of approaches to model processes that influence agroecosystems and methods to quantify vegetation-climate interactions.

Teaching and learning methods

Lectures, tutorials, seminars using information on state of the climate from different sources

Expected study results

Knowledge and understanding:

Deeper understanding of the interactions between atmospheric processes and living organisms (plants, animals, and humans)..

Applicability: The use of basic physical laws and simple models to understand biometeorological processes

Reflection: Interactions between atmosphere and organisms and their description by physical laws.

Basic sources and literature

Monteith J.L., Unsworth M.H. 2013. Principles of Environmental Physics: Plants, Animals, and the Atmosphere. Fourth Edition, Elsevier Ltd: Oxford, Amsterdam, Waltham. ISBN: 978-0-12-386910-4, 401 str.
Bonan G.B. 2008. Ecological Climatology, Concepts and Applications. Second Edition. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. ISBN: 978-0-521-87221-8, 550 str.
Lutgens F.K., Tarbuck E.J. 2011. Foundations of Earth Science. Sixth Edition. Pearson Education Inc., New Jersey, ISBN: 978-0-321-71441-1, 506 str.
Oke T.R. Boundary layer climates. 1987. Second Edition. Methuen: London, New York, ISBN: 0-416-04432-8, 435 str.
Revijalni članki s področja in tekoča periodika.