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Microclimatic differences between and within canopy gaps in a temperate rainforest
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Microclimatic differences between and within canopy gaps in a temperate rainforest

C.R. Freitas and N.J. Enright
International Journal of Biometeorology, Vol.38(4), pp.188-193
1995
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Abstract

The microclimate in the understorey and in two canopy gaps of different size (249 m2 and 12.6 m2) within a temperate rainforest in northern New Zealand were characterised using net all-wave radiation (Q*), vapour pressure deficit (VPD), vertical air temperature gradient (VTG), and maximum and minimum air temperatures. Hemispherical fisheye photographs were used to define the exposure to the sky at each microclimate recording site both within and between gaps, and in the understorey. Under condiions of clear skies during the summer, with the sun close to its maximum altitude, the large gap centre had a mean daytime (0700-1700 hours)Q* of 452 W/m2. This value was similar to that estimated for an open field nearby, but three times greater than Q* at the centre of the small gap, and six times greater than in the understorey. The east and west sides of both gaps had higher values of Q* than the north and south sides. Both Q* and mean daily maximum temperature were strongly correlated with the amount of sky exposure. VPD and VTG were higher in gaps than in the understorey, with maximum values for both variables occurring at the centre of the large gap.

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Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
International collaboration
Citation topics
3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology
3.40 Forestry
3.40.55 Forest Dynamics
Web Of Science research areas
Biophysics
Environmental Sciences
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Physiology
ESI research areas
Environment/Ecology
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