ISSN:
1573-1472
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Geosciences
,
Physics
Notes:
Abstract Net radiation estimates are frequently required in watershed research, e.g., in calculating evapotranspiration and snowmelt. In mountainous areas, the effective net radiation, i.e., the horizontal projection of the flux through a surface parallel to the slope, is a more accurate measure of the available energy than that measured with a horizontal sensor. In a non-homogeneous area, however, a basin average of effective net radiation is difficult to estimate. The annual curves for net and global solar radiation under clear skies at one point in the Marmot Creek Experimental Watershed in Alberta, Canada, show variations from 55 to 650 ly day-1 for net radiation, and from 100 to 760 ly day-1 for global radiation. A factor to convert measured net radiation at the point to a basin average of effective net radiation is obtained by comparing these curves with that for effective clear sky global radiation for the basin, and by considering the ratio of net to global radiation over the various types of vegetation in the basin. This conversion factor varies throughout the year with the elevation of the Sun and the basin albedo, ranging from a maximum of 1.27 in December to a minimum of 0.93 in April, and averaging 1.06 for the year.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00769104
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