ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES in rocky mountain coniferous ...

Energy In = Energy Out
In this equation the symbols are explained as follows:
Rn = the net amount of radiant energy available at the surface, called
net radiation
ET = the net amount of energy used at the surface for evaporation, con-
densation, freezing, melting and transpiration, called
evapotranspiration
H = the net amount of energy released from the surface to the air by
convection, called sensible heat flux
G = the net amount of energy transferred from the surface into the
soil and other materials below the surface, called soil heat
flux
M = the net amount of energy used in metabolism, including respiration
and photosynthesis. This term is usually so small it is ignored.
This balance equation can be used for a canopy surface, leaf surface, animal
surface or soil surface, It permits a realistic assignment of cause for internal
responses based on energy relationships.
Other climatic variables were also monitored in conjunct ion with other biological
studies. Continuous records from 1973 through 1979 have been kept for certain treatments
at Coram. Records at Lubrecht and Solo creek have been kept from 1977 through
1979 and at the Wyoming site in 1979. The following list ind icates some of the
parameters measured :
solar radiation
net radiation
photosynthetically act
soil heat flux
precipitation
residue temperature
1 i tter temperature
ive radiation air temperature
wind speed and direction
soil temperature
Various instruments were used, including a newly-buil t automated system to put
data on cassette tapes. As much of this data has yet to be analyzed and interpreted,
the results presented here are only prel iminary.