Approaches for averaging surface parameters and fluxes over heterogeneous terrain

Abstract

Successful prediction of possible climate change depends on realistic parameterization of land surface processes in climate models. In this study, different averaging strategies for aggregating patch-scale heterogeneities to scales that are appropriate for mesoscale and climate model grids have been explored. A simple model for estimating area-average "effective' surface flux parameters is evaluated. The model satisfies the energy balance equation and leads to a set of relationships between local and effective parameters in the governing equations for the surface energy balance. A set of heterogeneous surfaces has been simulated to study the effective fluxes obtained using the describing model. A comparison with results obtained by other investigators using different averaging methods is also performed. -from Authors