Determination of the Mean Wind Speed and Momentum Diffusivity Profiles above Tall Vegetation and Forest Canopies Using a Mass Conservation Assumption

Abstract

A semianalytical method based on a mass conservation principle is presented for describing the transition- layer profiles of mean wind speed and momentum diffusivity and for estimating the aerodynamic characteristics of forest and tall vegetation canopies. This method incorporates density and vertical structure of the canopy and assumes that the transition-layer mean wind speed profile can be expressed in a polynomial form having second-order osculation. It is also suggested that canopy structure has a major influence on the transition-layer mean wind speed and momentum diffusivity profile. The proposed methodology may help in simulating airflow for use in large-scale models of plant-atmosphere exchanges.