Climate performance of urban vegetation in the city of Presidente Prudente (SP): radiative effects and estimates of the Bowen ratio

• Grant number: 12/06307-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2012
• End date: June 30, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Applied Social Sciences - Architecture and Town Planning - Architecture and Urbanism Technology
• Principal Investigator: Antonio Jaschke Machado
• Grantee: Elaine Cristina Barboza
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia (FCT). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Presidente Prudente. Presidente Prudente , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The purpose of this project is to examine the spatial variability of the urban climate in the city of Presidente Prudente, Brazil, and their relation to the existing vegetation. It is expected that the environmental quality within the urban fabric is closely related to the energy exchange between vegetation, buildings, and the urban atmosphere. An observational study will be developed by using a radiometer, sonic anemometer, and conventional instruments. Data collection (air temperature and humidity, wind intensity, net radiation, and sensible heat flux) will be taken place in different sectors of the city, characterized by different types of surface coverage. Data analysis will include comparisons between the radiative and turbulent fluxes, allowing an initial estimate of the energy balance and the Bowen ratio in terms of the observed sensible heat and the estimated latent heat. Measurements of air temperature and humidity as well as the intensity and direction of the wind, it shall be taken by using instruments and apparatus of the LATOGEO (Laboratory of Topography and Geodesy FCT/UNESP). Measurements of radiative and turbulent fluxes will be taken using sensors of the Research Project Estudo observacional do conforto térmico nas cidades do médio Paranapanema (FAPESP process no. 11/08520-8). The estimates of the Bowen ratio will be performed from a simplified model of the sensible heat and the net radiation. In the last stage of this study, the radiative and turbulent data will be analyzed and related to the elements of the urban landscape, searching for evidence of general environmental quality associated with different types of vegetation found in the urban area.(AU)