The Climate Near the Ground

Das Grundlagenwerk "Das Klima der bodennahen Luftschicht" von Rudolf Geiger ist seit den 70er Jahren vergriffen; der Autor verstarb 1981. Auch die amerikanische Ausgabe bei Harvard University Press ist seit 1986 vergriffen. Das Buch ist in USA immer noch ein Standardwerk (in Deutschland gibt es ebenfalls kein vergleichbar gutes Buch), und so konnten zwei Wissenschaftler in USA gefunden werden, die die dringend notwendige Neuauflage mit Streichung überholter und Hinzufügung aktueller Kapitel/Abschnitte in Arbeit nehmen wollten. Sie belassen den bewährten Aufbau des Werks unverändert.This revised and updated version of Rudolf Geiger's classic microclimatology text is designed to introduce readers to the nature of the atmosphere and climate near the ground. It is especially aimed at those seeking a first introduction to the field of microclimatology and thus are in need of assistance in dealing with and understanding the seemingly and ever increasing literature on the subject. The Climate Near the Ground presents the literature in a well-organized and easily understood descriptive fashion. This book is designed not only as an introduction text for students in environmental science but also as a reference for environmental scientists desiring a basic understanding of the climate near the ground.

1. Microclimate and Research.- I. Earth's Surface Energy Balance.- 2. Physical Basis of the Earth's Radiation Balance.- 3. Components of the Energy Balance and Their Importance.- 4. Radiation Balance of the Earth's Surface.- 5. Longwave Radiation at Night.- 6. The Laws of Energy Transport in the Ground.- 7. Transport of Energy in the Atmosphere. Eddy Diffusion.- 8. Mixing Due to Friction and Convection.- 9. Temperature Instability, Dissemination of Seeds, Dispersion of Air Pollutants, and Effective Stack Height as Problems of Eddy Diffusion.- II. The Air Layer over Level Ground without Vegetation.- 10. Normal Temperature Stratification in the Underlying Surface (the Ground).- 11. Temperature in the Lowest 100 m of the Atmosphere.- 12. The Unstable Sublayer and the Inversion Sublayer.- 13. Daytime Temperature of the Air Layer near the Ground.- 14. Nighttime Temperature of the Air Layer near the Ground.- 15. Distribution of Water Vapor above the Ground.- 16. The Wind Field and the Influence of Wind near the Ground.- 17. Distribution of Particulates and Trace Gases.- 18. Optical Phenomena Occurring near the Ground.- III. Influence of the Underlying Surface on the Adjacent Air Layer.- 19. Soil Type, Soil Mixtures, Soil Tillage.- 20. Ground Color, Surface Temperature, Ground Cover (Mulching) and Greenhouses.- 21. Soil Moisture and Ground Frost.- 22. The Air Layer above Small Water Surfaces.- 23. The Air Layer near the Water Surface of Lakes, Seas and Rivers.- 24. The Air Layer near Snow and Ice.- IV. Further Analysis of the Energy Balance.- 25. Basis and Methods of Evaluation.- 26. Results of Previous Energy Balance Measurements.- 27. Advective Influences and Transitional Climates.- 28. Remarks on Evaporation.- V. The Effect of Low Plant Cover on the Surface AirLayer.- 29. Energy Balance and Temperature of Plant Components.- 30. Radiation, Eddy Diffusion, and Evaporation in a Low Plant Cover.- 31. The Microclimate of Meadows and Grain Fields.- 32. The Microclimate of Gardens, Potato Fields, and Vineyards.- VI. Forest Climatology.- 33. Radiation in a Forest.- 34. Metabolism, Energy Storage and Wind in a Forest.- 35. Air Temperature and Humidity in a Forest.- 36. Dew, Rain, and Snow in a Forest.- 37. Microclimate at the Stand Edges.- 38. Further Problems Concerning the Local Climate of Forests.- 39. Climatic Influences of the Forest.- VII. The Influence of Topography on the Microclimate.- 40. Insolation on Various Slopes.- 41. The Effect of Differing Amounts of Sunshine on Microenvironment.- 42. Small-Scale Topographic Influences at Night (Cold Air Currents, Frost Hollows).- 43. Local Winds in Hilly and Mountainous Terrain.- 44. The Climate of Various Slopes (Exposure Climate).- 45. The Thermal Belt.- 46. Microclimate in the High Mountains.- 47. The Microclimate of Caves.- VIII. Interrelation of Animals and Humans to the Microclimate.- 48. Animal Behavior.- 49. Animal Dwellings.- 50. Bioclimatology.- 51. Urban Climate.- 52. Artificial Protection against Wind.- 53. Artificial Protection against Low Temperatures.- References.- Symbols.- Conversion Table.- Author Index.