Characterization of Geographical and Meteorological Parameters

[EN]This chapter is devoted to the introduction of some geographical and meteorological information involved in the numerical modeling of wind fields and solar radiation. First, a brief description of the topographical data given by a Digital Elevation Model and Land Cover databases is provided. In particular, the Information System of Land Cover of Spain (SIOSE) is considered. The study is focused on the roughness length and the displacement height parameters that appear in the logarithmic wind profile, as well as in the albedo related to solar radiation computation. An extended literature review and characterization of both parameters are reported. Next, the concept of atmospheric stability is introduced from the Monin–Obukhov similarity theory to the recent revision of Zilitinkevich of the Neutral and Stable Boundary Layers (SBL). The latter considers the effect of the free-flow static stability and baroclinicity on the turbulent transport of momentum and of the Convective Boundary Layers (CBL), more precisely, the scalars in the boundary layer, as well as the model of turbulent entrainment

Linking water-balance simulation and multiobjective programming: land-use plan design in Hawaii

In the Hawaiian Islands, planners and public officials have decided recently to raise the permissible level of urban development in central Oahu. The decision is opposed by many on the grounds that it threatens agricultural land as well as the sustainability of groundwater supply. A two-part procedure is presented for exploring the impacts of such development and designing urban-expansion patterns that minimize them. First, a water-balance simulation model is used to calculate groundwater recharge as it varies with land use and location within the area. The difference between recharge and withdrawal is computed, and any changes are then estimated for different land uses. This information is then incorporated into optimization models having objectives related to agricultural land retention, groundwater balance, and residential population growth. The models generate alternative land-use expansion plans and show the trade-offs among objectives. The consideration of slightly suboptimal (dominated) solutions allows a significant expansion in the range of such alternatives. The results suggest that, if future agricultural development does not occur on currently nonagricultural land, then both agricultural land and groundwater sustainability will suffer significant adverse effects under the new population limits.

Reassessment of revegetation strategies for Kaho'olawe Island, Hawai'i

This work investigates 2 US Army Construction Engineering Research Laboratory revegetation experiment sites (Phase I and II) on Kaho'olawe Island, Hawai'i (USA) to determine the long-term success of several revegetation strategies and to identify species that are best suited for future restoration activities in the highly eroded central plateau region of the island. Only the Phase I treatments receiving the highest rates of phosphorus and nitrogen fertilizer and the Phase II strategy (moderately high fertilization and landscaping) produced enough cover to begin providing protection from erosion processes. Buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris L.), glycine (Neonotonia wightii (Wight Arnott) Verdc.), Natal redtop (Rhynchelytrum repens (Willd.) Hubb.), and siratro (Macroptilium atropurpureum (DC) Urb.) appear to be resilient to the harsh island conditions, which include strong winds, low annual rainfall, acute erosion, and a nutrient-depleted soil profile. Although all 4 species offer some protection against erosional processes, none are particularly desirable for long-term restoration of the island. Glycine and siratro, both of which volunteer readily in planting sites, are considered invasive in that they may smother other more desirable species, particularly less competitive natives. Finally, native woody species are shown to have difficulty in surviving on the island without special attention to planting and maintenance.The Journal of Range Management archives are made available by the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries. Contact [email protected] for further information.Migrated from OJS platform August 202