Topic 8a - Microclimate part 1

Essential elements from Topic 8A:
Here, we introduce the essential quantitative concepts necessary for you to understand the climatic drivers of microclimate and the ways in which the slope and orientations of both leaves and landscape slopes influence sunlight levels and ultimately plant function.
  1. Macroclimate and microclimate are distinct concepts. Almost all of the climate discussions so far in this class have been related to macroclimate.
  2. With respect to plant adaptation, it is important to understand both macroclimate and microclimate concepts. Macroclimate will generally provide useful information on whether or not a plant species is able to persist in that region. In contract, microclimate will provide useful information on topographical (slope, aspect) and height-related aspects that govern aspects of plant metabolism and phenology.
  3. The two wave bands of electromagnetic magnetic radiation influencing microclimate and plants are
    1. Solar radiation (directional)
    2. Terrestrial radiation (non-directional)
  4. Latitude, slope, and season greatly influence the patterns of direct solar radiation incident on leaves and slope landscapes.
  5. Leaves have morphological adaptations that impact the amount of direct solar radiation incident on a leaf:
    1. Leaf angle
    2. Leaf azimuth
    3. Leaf absorptance
    4. Leaf shape

In the independent XLSX module, we provide you with an excel spreadsheet that allows you to calculate the amount and duration of direct sunlight expected on slopes of different angle and orientation over the course of the year and for any location in the world.