Plant Ecology in a Changing World
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Topic 8B - Microclimate part 2
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Essential elements from Topic 8B:
Here, we expand on the essential microclimate concepts necessary for you to understand the drivers of microclimate parameters.

1.     We first recognize that the incident solar and infrared radiation absorbed by a surface (leaf or slope) is converted to heat energy and then dissipated through reradiation, conduction, convection, and evapotranspiration.

2.     We then learn that the dissipation of heat from the absorbed surface (leaf or slope) leads to gradients in temperature and humidity that influence biological processes.

3.     Plant distribution and plant metabolism are greatly impacted by these microclimate profile gradients.

Click here to download PDF of slides associated with Topic 8B
Click here to view YOUTUBE videos of Topic 8B
Jim Ehleringer, University of Utah