Wagemann, J.; Thies, B.; Rollenbeck, R.; Peters, T. & Bendix, J. (2015): <b>Regionalization of wind-speed data to analyse tree-line wind conditions in the eastern Andes of southern Ecuador</b>. <i>Erdkunde</i> <b>69</b>, 3-19.
Resource Description
Title:
Regionalization of wind-speed data to analyse tree-line wind conditions in the eastern Andes of southern Ecuador
FOR816dw ID:
1384
Publication Date:
2015-04-02
License and Usage Rights:
PAK 823-825 data user agreement. (www.tropicalmountainforest.org/dataagreementp3.do)
email:
rollenbe <at> staff.uni-marburg.de
Laboratory for Climatology and Remote Sensing
Faculty of Geography
Philipps University of Marburg
Deutschhausstr. 10
35032 Marburg
Germany
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.<br/>
Keywords:
| wind speed | regionalization |
Literature type specific fields:
ARTICLE
Journal:
Erdkunde
Volume:
69
Page Range:
3-19
Metadata Provider:
Individual:
Jörg Bendix
Contact:
email:
bendix <at> staff.uni-marburg.de
Faculty of Geography
Deutschhausstraße 10
Philipps University of Marburg
Laboratory for Climatology and Remote Sensing
35032 Marburg
Germany
