Improvements in the description of parameters of surface and vegetation in the Northeast region of Brazil for use in meteorological and hydrological models

• Grant number: 03/00142-8
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: July 01, 2003
• End date: August 31, 2006
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Geosciences - Meteorology
• Principal Investigator: Regina Célia dos Santos Alvalá
• Grantee: Regina Célia dos Santos Alvalá
• Host Institution: Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais (INPE). Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação (Brasil). São José dos Campos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The coupled meteorological models used in the Center for Weather Forecasting and Climatic Studies (Cptec) need the representation of the spatial variation of ground and vegetation, which requires the adaptation of a more detailed database and one with parameters which represent more accurately the physical properties of the ground and the distribution of types of vegetation. In this context, the objective of this Project is to elaborate an updated map of the vegetation, including changes in land use, for the Northeast region of Brazil, plus the northern parts of the states of Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo, which fall within the ambit of the former Superintendency of the Development of the Northeast (Sudene), through the process of high resolution orbital sensor images and the integration of digital data of use/cover of the earth. The map should be adapted to the operational meteorological and hydrological models of Cptec and of several other state meteorological centers. This updating of the surfasse parameters will permit the study of possible changes in the balance of energy on the surface and the local and regional circulations on the Northeast deriving from the changes in land use and, in a more general way, for the subsequent verification of the impact of the improvement of the representation of vegetation in the models of weather forecasting, climate and water on the ground in the region. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

CORREIA, F. W. S.; ALVALA, R. C. S.; MANZI, A. O.. Modeling the impacts of land cover change in Amazonia: a regional climate model (RCM) simulation study. THEORETICAL AND APPLIED CLIMATOLOGY, v. 93, n. 3-4, p. 225-244, AUG 2008. (03/00142-8)