REGIONALIZATION OF WIND-SPEED DATA TO ANALYSE TREE-LINE WIND CONDITIONS IN THE EASTERN ANDES OF SOUTHERN ECUADOR
Wagemann J, Thies B, Rollenbeck R, Peters T, Bendix J (2015)
Publication Language: English
Publication Type: Journal article, Original article
Publication year: 2015
Journal
Book Volume: 69
Pages Range: 3-19
Journal Issue: 1
DOI: 10.3112/erdkunde.2015.01.01
Abstract
This paper presents a method to extrapolate wind-speed data and to calculate wind-speed and dynamic pressure
maps for the complex topography of a mountain rainforest area in the tropical Andes of southeastern Ecuador. The spatial
differentiation of dynamic wind pressure in this area is claimed to be a major determinant of the altitude of the tree-line
ecotone and to affect the tree line’s physiognomy. The paper presents a hybrid method encompassing statistical data analysis
using the Weibull distribution and a digital terrain analysis, taking topographical shelter effects into account. The method
is used to derive mean and maximum wind-speed and dynamic pressure maps to reveal whether the tree-line ecotone is
influenced by direct wind effects. On average, the tree-line ecotone on the eastern slopes shows a clear average depression
of ~50 m. These slopes are affected by higher dynamic wind stress, so have a more disturbed canopy. These altered vegetation
structures may be caused mainly by direct wind effects and to a smaller extent by indirect effects, such as high humidity.
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Involved external institutions
Germany (DE)How to cite
APA:
Wagemann, J., Thies, B., Rollenbeck, R., Peters, T., & Bendix, J. (2015). REGIONALIZATION OF WIND-SPEED DATA TO ANALYSE TREE-LINE WIND CONDITIONS IN THE EASTERN ANDES OF SOUTHERN ECUADOR. Erdkunde, 69(1), 3-19. https://doi.org/10.3112/erdkunde.2015.01.01
MLA:
Wagemann, Julia, et al. "REGIONALIZATION OF WIND-SPEED DATA TO ANALYSE TREE-LINE WIND CONDITIONS IN THE EASTERN ANDES OF SOUTHERN ECUADOR." Erdkunde 69.1 (2015): 3-19.
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