On the Use of GOES Thermal Data to Study Effects of Land Use on Diurnal Temperature Fluctuation

Abstract

Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) infrared data were used to study the effect of land use on the diurnal surface temperature fluctuation. Five major land use types in southern Florida: the sandy soil agricultural area; the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA); the conservation areas; the Natural Everglades Area (NEA); and Lake Okeechobee; were observed. The average daytime and nocturnal surface temperatures of sandy soil in agricultural areas was lower than that of organic soil in agricultural areas. The average temperature of organic soil in agricultural areas was lower than that of organic soil in conservation areas. The surface temperature in the wet marsh area was much lower than that in a large water-storage lake. A land use change in the EAA, and an increase in the water storage in Lake Okeechobee and the conservation areas could influence the microclimate.