Micro-climate influence on reference evapotranspiration estimates in wetlands |
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| Authors: | J Kelvin RJ Harding TM Hess |
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| Institution: | 1. Centre for Ecology &2. Hydrology, Crowmarsh Gifford, Wallingford, UK;3. Cranfield Water Science Institute, Cranfield University, Cranfield, UK;4. Cranfield Water Science Institute, Cranfield University, Cranfield, UK |
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| Abstract: | Temperature and relative humidity measurements were made within and outside a lowland fen in eastern England during 2009 and 2010. Summer temperatures were found to be on average 0.24°C lower within the fen than outside, whilst summer vapour pressures were found to be on average 0.074 kPa higher within the fen. In contrast, winter temperatures were found to be higher within the fen by an average of 0.03°C. These differences may be expected to influence evapotranspiration estimates derived using data from each of the sites. The influence of the location of meteorological measurements on evapotranspiration estimates was therefore evaluated. The existence of a wetland microclimate results in up to a 7% reduction in annual reference evapotranspiration compared to a site surrounded by arable farmland only 5.5 km away. |
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| Keywords: | evaporation lowland fen microclimate reference evapotranspiration wetlands |
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