About this Research Topic
Surface energy balance is the basic driving force for the heat and hydrological cycle in any certain region. It comprises four energy fluxes namely net radiation, sensible heat flux, latent heat flux, and ground heat flux. Any of these energy fluxes either individually or in combination have a significant impact on regional climate. Many ground observing stations and a few remote sensing satellites are observing/estimating these fluxes, moreover, reanalysis products for the estimation of these fluxes are also available. However, each of these available data sources has its own limitations e.g., ground observations are limited to certain point locations which are not evenly available across the globe. Also, the accuracy and temporal/spatial resolution of available satellite and reanalysis products are variable. Along with estimation, it is of high importance to investigate the characteristics and variation mechanism of these surface fluxes. Many atmospheric parameters such as aerosol, greenhouse gasses, and trace gasses have a certain impact on various surface fluxes, especially on net radiation. Biophysical and biogeochemical parameters such as land cover change, deforestation, thawing of permafrost, surface morphology, the 3D architecture of vegetation canopies, the vertical distribution of aerosols, surface albedo and temperature, etc. contribute to shaping the variational pattern of surface energy fluxes
This research topic aims to discover and highlight various aspects of surface energy fluxes including the estimation methods, characteristics of these fluxes, impact of various natural and anthropogenic factors, and the long-term variations of various surface energy fluxes. This issue will help the scientific community as well as the policymakers to better understand the surface energy balance and its role in climate change.
We welcome high-quality scientific research covering one or more of but not limited to the following topics;
Estimation methods of surface energy balance
Surface energy balance and Climate change
Heat cycle
Hydrological cycle
Impact of air pollution on surface radiation
Long-term variations of surface energy fluxes
Characteristics of various surface energy fluxes
This research topic aims to discover and highlight various aspects of surface energy fluxes including the estimation methods, characteristics of these fluxes, impact of various natural and anthropogenic factors, and the long-term variations of various surface energy fluxes. This issue will help the scientific community as well as the policymakers to better understand the surface energy balance and its role in climate change.
We welcome high-quality scientific research covering one or more of but not limited to the following topics;
Estimation methods of surface energy balance
Surface energy balance and Climate change
Heat cycle
Hydrological cycle
Impact of air pollution on surface radiation
Long-term variations of surface energy fluxes
Characteristics of various surface energy fluxes
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.
