Energy at the Surface of the Earth
An Introduction to the Energetics of Ecosystems
- 1st Edition - May 28, 1981
- Latest edition
- Author: David H. Miller
- Editors: J. Van Mieghem, Anton L. Hales
- Language: English
Energy at the Surface of the Earth: An Introduction to the Energetics of Ecosystems presents way of looking at the manner in which the biological, physical, and cultural systems… Read more
Energy at the Surface of the Earth: An Introduction to the Energetics of Ecosystems presents way of looking at the manner in which the biological, physical, and cultural systems that mantle the landmasses of our planet receive, transform, and give off energy, which is an essential condition of existence that takes many forms. Energy conversions establish the climate in which these systems operate. The principal forms of energy that are converted at the ecosystem scale include radiant, latent, mechanical, chemical and fossil, and thermal. The book begins with radiant energy absorbed by ecosystems—a phenomenon that is independent of their surface temperature and that can be looked on as a burden or a gift, depending on circumstances. An increase in such absorption raises surface temperature, as described in the fulcrum chapter of the book, Chapter VIII. This increase in turn sets into action outflows of energy that by the first law of thermodynamics are equal in energy units, although not necessarily equal in quality to the inflows. The final chapters deal with vertical stratification and areal contrasts in energy budgets, the augmented energy budget of the city, and the responses that serve to keep the budget balanced.
PrefaceAcknowledgmentsChapter I Introduction The Energy Budget The Locus of Energy Transformation Energy in Ecosystems ReferencesChapter II Surface Characteristics of Ecosystems Ecosystem Size and Structure Factors in Coupling of an Ecosystem with the Sun Radiative Coupling with the Atmosphere Coupling of an Ecosystem with the Atmosphere by Turbulence Coupling with the Substrate Ecosystems at the Active Surface of the Earth ReferencesChapter III Direct Solar Radiation Nature and Significance of the Solar Beam Geometry of the Solar Beam Incidence of the Solar Beam on Ecosystems under the Changeable Atmosphere Incidence of the Solar Beam on Ecosystems of Different Attitudes Spatial Patterns and Ecological Consequences ReferencesChapter IV Diffuse Solar Radiation The Diffuse Flux Generated by Rayleigh Scattering Diffuse Radiation under a Hazy Atmosphere Diffuse Radiation under a Cloudy Atmosphere Spectral Composition of the Diffuse Flux Variations over Time Spatial Variation ReferencesChapter V Total Incoming Solar Radiation The Relative Contributions of the Component Fluxes Flux Densities of Total Solar Radiation Incident on Ecosystems Spectral Composition of the Incident Solar Flux Determining the Combined Solar Fluxes on Horizontal Surfaces Variations in Total Solar Radiation over Time Spatial Differences in Total Solar Radiation ReferencesChapter VI Incoming Longwave Radiation Magnitude and Significance of the Flux Radiation under a Cloudless Sky Sources of Variation under Clouds Measurement and Estimation Variations over Time Spatial Variations in Incoming Longwave Radiation ReferencesChapter VII Radiant Energy Absorbed by Ecosystems Ecosystem Characteristics That Affect Absorption of Radiant Energy Geometric Components of Radiant Energy Spectral Composition of Radiant Energy Absorbed by Ecosystems Spectral Patterns of Absorptivity Coefficient Variations in Radiant-Energy Intake over Time Spatial Patterns of Absorbed Radiant Energy The Temperature-Independent Intake of Energy ReferencesChapter VIII Surface Temperature of Ecosystems Defining Surface Temperature T0 Significance of Surface Temperature Determining Surface Temperature Variations over Time Spatial Patterns ReferencesChapter IX Longwave Radiation Emitted by Ecosystems The Longwave Flux Role in Ecosystem Energy Budgets Determination of Upward Longwave Radiation Variations in the Upward Flux of Longwave Radiation ReferencesChapter X Resultants of the Upward and Downward Radiation Fluxes The Net Exchange of Longwave Radiation between Ecosystem and Atmosphere Factors in the Net Exchange of Energy by Longwave Radiation Combining All the Radiation Fluxes: The Net All-Wave Deficit or Surplus Variations in Net All-Wave Radiation over Time Spatial Contrasts in Net All-Wave Radiation ReferencesChapter XI Fixing of Carbon by Ecosystems Gross Primary Production Net Primary Production Influences on Productivity and Translocation ReferencesChapter XII The Release of Carbon Fixed in Ecosystems Biological Energy Conversions Ecosystems in Steady State Energy Conversion by Fire ReferencesChapter XIII Broad-Scale Transformations of Fossil Energy Fossil Energy in the Management of Extensively Exploited Ecosystems Fossil-Energy Conversions in Farm Operations Fossil Energy in Ecosystems and Mosaics Energy in Circulation Systems ReferencesChapter XIV Phase Changes of Water in Ecosystems: I. Freezing and Thawing Presence and Characteristics of Snow Cover in Ecosystems The Energy Budget of Melting Snow Cover Effects of Terrain and Weather on the Energy Budget Thawing of Soil and Ice Freezing ReferencesChapter XV Phase Changes of Water in Ecosystems: II. Vaporization Energy Conversion by Vaporization Ecosystem Characteristics Atmospheric Removal of Vapor from Ecosystems Variations in Latent-Heat Conversions ReferencesChapter XVI The Flux of Sensible Heat from Ecosystems Ecosystem Characteristics The Atmospheric Environment as a Sink or Source for Sensible Heat Ecosystem-Atmosphere Relationships Variations in the Removal of Sensible Heat from an Ecosystem Spatial Contrasts ReferencesChapter XVII Substrate Heat Flux in Terrestrial Ecosystems Role of the Soil in the Ecosystem Thermal Diffusivity and Admittance Heat Storage in the Daily Cycle Aperiodic Variations Heat Storage in the Annual Cycle Spatial Patterns of Soil-Heat Flux ReferencesChapter XVIII Substrate Energy Storage in Aquatic Ecosystems and Its Place in Their Energy Budgets Ecosystem Structure Coupling with the Sun Coupling with the Atmosphere Advection of Upstream Heat or Cold in Ecosystem Energy Budgets Variations in the Energy Budget ReferencesChapter XIX Potential and Kinetic Energy in Ecosystems Potential Energy in Ecosystems Potential Energy in Ecosystem Environments Kinetic Energy of Water in Ecosystems Atmospheric Kinetic Energy in Ecosystems Variations of Potential and Kinetic Energy ReferencesChapter XX Energy Budgets at Different Depths in Ecosystems The Ecosystem as Environment of Its Members Radiant-Energy Absorption at Different Levels Ventilation Vertical Profiles Substrate Energy Stratification of Energy Budgets ReferencesChapter XXI Ecosystem Contrasts The Origins of Contrast Contrasts in Temperature-Independent Fluxes Contrasts in Surface Temperature Contrasts in Emitted Radiation and Energy Conversion Contrasts in Ecosystem Couplings Contrasts in the Outputs from Ecosystems Time Variations in Contrast The Variegated Mantle of the Earth ReferencesChapter XXII Energy Conversions at Nodes Points of Energy Concentration Characteristics of the Urban Interface Modified Radiant-Energy Intake Fossil-Energy Augmentation Temperature-Dependent Energy Fluxes Responses of Urban Ecosystems ReferencesChapter XXIII Integrating the Energy Fluxes Models of Ecosystem Energy Budgets Effects of Changes in Radiant-Energy Intake Effects of Changes in Surface Characteristics Effects of Changes in Atmospheric Conditions The Structure of Ecosystem Energy Budgets Conclusion ReferencesIndex
- Edition: 1
- Latest edition
- Published: May 28, 1981
- Language: English
JV
J. Van Mieghem
Affiliations and expertise
Royal Belgian Meteorological Institute, Uccle, Belgium