The surface energy balance is crucial for the dynamics of heat and the hydrological cycles within any region, involving key components such as net radiation, sensible heat, latent heat, and ground heat fluxes. These elements are pivotal in influencing local and regional climates. Numerous methods exist for observing and estimating these fluxes, ranging from ground stations to remote sensing satellites and reanalysis products. Nonetheless, each method presents distinct challenges, such as limited geographical coverage by ground stations and varying accuracies and resolutions among satellite and reanalysis data. Despite these advancements, significant gaps remain in our understanding, particularly regarding the intricate relationships between surface fluxes and atmospheric conditions like aerosols or greenhouse gases—factors that profoundly affect radiation levels.
This research topic aims to elucidate the multifaceted nature of surface energy fluxes. We seek to explore their estimation techniques, delve into the characteristics influencing these fluxes, examine the effects of both natural and anthropogenic factors, and investigate their long-term variations. Ultimately, this research will augment our comprehension of surface energy balances, offering insights pertinent to both the scientific community and policymakers, particularly in the context of climate change.
To further advance this field, our focus will extend to a broad spectrum of related themes. Key areas include:
• Estimation methods for surface energy balance
• Relationships between surface energy balance and climate change
• Influences of heat and hydrological cycles
• The impact of air pollution on surface radiation
• Long-term variations in surface energy fluxes
• In-depth analysis of different surface energy flux characteristics
By addressing these areas, we aim to foster a deeper understanding of the mechanisms governing surface energy fluxes and their broader implications.
Keywords:
surface energy balance, net radiation, sensible heat flux, latent heat flux, ground heat flux, climate change, time series, methods
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
The surface energy balance is crucial for the dynamics of heat and the hydrological cycles within any region, involving key components such as net radiation, sensible heat, latent heat, and ground heat fluxes. These elements are pivotal in influencing local and regional climates. Numerous methods exist for observing and estimating these fluxes, ranging from ground stations to remote sensing satellites and reanalysis products. Nonetheless, each method presents distinct challenges, such as limited geographical coverage by ground stations and varying accuracies and resolutions among satellite and reanalysis data. Despite these advancements, significant gaps remain in our understanding, particularly regarding the intricate relationships between surface fluxes and atmospheric conditions like aerosols or greenhouse gases—factors that profoundly affect radiation levels.
This research topic aims to elucidate the multifaceted nature of surface energy fluxes. We seek to explore their estimation techniques, delve into the characteristics influencing these fluxes, examine the effects of both natural and anthropogenic factors, and investigate their long-term variations. Ultimately, this research will augment our comprehension of surface energy balances, offering insights pertinent to both the scientific community and policymakers, particularly in the context of climate change.
To further advance this field, our focus will extend to a broad spectrum of related themes. Key areas include:
• Estimation methods for surface energy balance
• Relationships between surface energy balance and climate change
• Influences of heat and hydrological cycles
• The impact of air pollution on surface radiation
• Long-term variations in surface energy fluxes
• In-depth analysis of different surface energy flux characteristics
By addressing these areas, we aim to foster a deeper understanding of the mechanisms governing surface energy fluxes and their broader implications.
Keywords:
surface energy balance, net radiation, sensible heat flux, latent heat flux, ground heat flux, climate change, time series, methods
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.