CSAFM 1: Observational studies of land-atmosphere interactions
Physical and biological land surface characteristics affect how energy, water, aerosols, and greenhouse gases are exchanged with the atmosphere. Thus, interactions between the land surface and the atmosphere represent a key component of the climate system. To improve predictions of global and regional climates, a better understanding of the tight coupling between land and atmosphere is needed. Observational and experimental studies can improve our understanding of land-atmosphere interactions. For example, eddy covariance measurements of fluxes of energy and matter help constrain flux dynamics across multiple time scales from hours to years and create large, long-term datasets to examine variability in land-atmosphere interactions. This data provides base data for ecosystem models. Chamber studies have provided the information needed to investigate process-based dynamics of GHG emissions. New technologies are expanding measurements to all landscapes across Canada – i.e., agricultural, forest, and peatland sites. These studies provide powerful tools to explore biophysical and biogeochemical processes underlying land-atmosphere interactions. This session highlights innovative research of all aspects of field campaigns observing land-atmosphere interactions.