Comparison of latent and sensible heat fluxes over boreal lakes with concurrent fluxes over a forest: implications for regional averaging

• Published in: Agricultural and forest meteorology Vol. 98-99; pp. 535 - 546
• Main Authors: Venäläinen, A., Frech, M., Heikinheimo, M., Grelle, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 31.12.1999
• ISSN: 0168-1923
• DOI: 10.1016/S0168-1923(99)00100-8

In areas dominated by lakes, the heat energy exchange between the water surface and the atmosphere is expected to differ significantly from that of adjacent land. Using data derived from the Northern hemisphere climate-Processes land-surface Experiment (NOPEX) conducted in central Sweden, the seasonal and diurnal variations of latent and sensible heat fluxes above lakes and coniferous forest were compared. Estimates of latent and sensible heat fluxes were made with the profile method, which is outlined. Measurements during NOPEX were made on two small lakes and in a nearby coniferous forest. Turbulent fluxes were calculated using the eddy correlation approach. Results showed that the differences in heat fluxes between the lakes and the forest were large enough to influence local climatological conditions. Significantly important were the influences of lake depth and lake size on heat fluxes.