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Utilizing multistatic specular meteor radar (MSMR) observations, this study delves into global aspects of wind perturbations in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT) from the unprecedented 2022 eruption of the Hunga Tonga‐Hunga Ha'apai (HTHH) submarine volcano. The combination of MSMR observations from different viewing angles over South America and Europe, and the decomposition of the horizontal wind in components along and transversal to the HTHH eruption's epicenter direction allow an unambiguous detection and identification of MLT perturbations related to the eruption. The performance of this decomposition is evaluated using Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model with thermosphere/ionosphere extension (WACCM‐X) simulations of the event. The approach shows that indeed the HTHH eruption signals are clearly identified, and other signals can be easily discarded. The winds in this decomposition display dominant Eastward soliton‐like perturbations observed as far as 25,000 km from HTHH, and propagating at 242 m/s. A weaker perturbation observed only over Europe propagates faster (but slower than 300 m/s) in the Westward direction. These results suggest that we might be observing the so‐called Pekeris mode, also consistent with the L1 pseudomode, reproduced by WACCM‐X simulations at MLT altitudes. They also rule out the previous hypothesis connecting the observations in South America to the Tsunami associated with the eruption because these perturbations are observed over Europe as well. Despite the progress, the L0 pseudomode in the MLT reproduced by WACCM‐X remains elusive to observations. Key Points: A decomposition of the horizontal wind in longitudinal and transverse components, allows clear identification of Hunga Tonga‐Hunga Ha'apai eruption signaturesEastward soliton‐like mesosphere and lower thermosphere horizontal wind perturbations are observed propagating at 242 m/s, up to at least 25,500 km from the epicenterWeaker westward propagating perturbations are observed at phase speeds in between the expected L0 and L1 speeds, but up to 17,000 km [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sporadic E‐layer (Es) exhibits unique opportunity for exploring the coupling from lower to upper atmosphere. It was found that the East Asia is with the highest intensity and occurrence probability of Es. By using the long‐term data of 21 ionosonde stations in China and Japan over the past 60 yrs, this paper explores the probable control on the Es layer from the lower layers. It is found that the intensity of the Es layer is strongly correlated with the surface atmospheric temperature, terrain, and land‐sea boundary. The correlation coefficient of the intensity of Es with surface temperature is as high as 0.8204, while that with the terrain and land‐sea boundary is up to 0.6668. Based on the coupling between the lower and upper atmosphere, this paper reveals the probable controls from lower layers on the intensity of the Es in East Asia. Plain Language Summary: As an occasional ionized layer of the ionosphere, the sporadic E‐layer (Es) exhibits unique opportunity for exploring the coupling from lower to upper atmosphere. Despite extensive research on both behavior and mechanism of the Es, none have adequately explained the strong inhomogeneous of its global morphology. It is found in fact that the East Asia is with the highest intensity and occurrence probability of Es. By using the long‐term data of 21 ionosondes in China and Japan over the past 60 yrs, this letter explores the formation mechanism of the strongest Es regions in the world. It is found that the intensity of the Es layer is strongly correlated with the surface atmospheric temperature, terrain, and land‐sea boundary. The correlation coefficient between the intensity of Es and surface temperature is highest, while that with the terrain and land‐sea boundary is also high. By analyzing the data as long as six decades, this letter reveals the probable controls from lower layers on the intensity of the Es in East Asia. Key Points: By analyzing the six‐decade data of 21 ionosondes in East Asia, it reveals probable controls on the strongest Es layer from lower layersFor the first time, it is found that the intensity of Es layer is highly correlated with the surface atmospheric temperatureAn interesting coupling from lower to upper atmosphere may be found by taking advantage of observations longer than half of a century [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The thermal dynamics of the upper atmosphere, especially in the mesosphere, have been improving our understanding about the effects of climate change, as well as how the dynamics and general circulation in the upper atmosphere are driven by different types of waves, such as the atmospheric gravity waves, planetary waves and atmospheric tides. In order to study the upper atmospheric temperature variability and gravity waves, several research groups have been employing the remote technique of observing the airglow emissions originated in the upper mesosphere and lower thermosphere, besides emissions from the ionosphere. INPE’s airglow group started the studies on emissions from the upper atmosphere to investigate temperature and dynamics in the mesosphere, thermosphere/ionosphere at the end of 70’s. However, only in 2001 this group sent the first airglow experiment to the Brazilian Antarctic Station Comandante Ferraz (EACF) to measure the OH (8-3) emission and temperature. From that year to 2014, several other experiments were carried out at EACF, not only to measure the temperature and airglow intensities, but also to observe gravity waves, winds and other related phenomena. This paper presents airglow experiments at EACF from 2001 to the present, including illustrations, examples of already published results, and unpublished data.

The ionosphere as a part of Earth’s atmosphere supports a wide range of oscillations, of which acoustic–gravity waves (AGWs) form an important part. AGWs distribute energy and momentum from the source region over large distances. A significant portion of AGWs originates in the lower atmosphere and propagates through the atmosphere up to the ionospheric heights where, due to the coupling between neutral and ionized particles, it could be detected as wavelike disturbances of the plasma. Primarily, the ionospheric behavior is driven by solar and geomagnetic activity, while the influence from neutral and below-laying regions of the atmosphere most of the time forms a substantially smaller part of the observed variability. However, it could significantly alter ionospheric behavior. Our study is limited to a time span of rather low solar and geomagnetic activity in order to highlight neutral atmosphere influence. In this study, we focus on two tropospheric situations above Europe that may lead to AGW generation, which propagate up to the F-layer where they potentially induce variability that we observe within ionospheric plasma parameters.

Abstract In this study, the variability of the migrating solar diurnal (DW1) tide in the mesosphere-lower thermosphere (MLT) region during Northern and Southern Hemisphere (NH & SH) Sudden Stratospheric Warmings (SSWs) is investigated using Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry (SABER) temperature observations and reanalysis-driven Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model with thermosphere and ionosphere extension (WACCM-X) simulations. The periods examined include four major NH SSWs that occurred in 2006, 2009, 2010 and 2013 and two SH SSWs that were observed in 2002 and 2019. Our analysis shows that the DW1 tide in both observations and simulations displays a reduction of amplitude at low-latitudes after the onset of NH and SH SSWs. As WACCM-X simulations qualitatively reproduce this feature of DW1 tidal variability common to both NH and SH SSWs, they have been used to examine the possible mechanism that could explain these observations in the DW1 tide. It is known that changes in the latitudinal shear of zonal winds at low-latitudes strongly affect the seasonal variation of the DW1 tide in the MLT. We show that SSW-associated changes in the latitudinal shear in the MLT could explain the observed variability of the DW1 tide during NH and SH SSWs. Graphical Abstract

In this study, the variability of the migrating solar diurnal (DW1) tide in the mesosphere-lower thermosphere (MLT) region during Northern and Southern Hemisphere (NH & SH) Sudden Stratospheric Warmings (SSWs) is investigated using Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry (SABER) temperature observations and reanalysis-driven Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model with thermosphere and ionosphere extension (WACCM-X) simulations. The periods examined include four major NH SSWs that occurred in 2006, 2009, 2010 and 2013 and two SH SSWs that were observed in 2002 and 2019. Our analysis shows that the DW1 tide in both observations and simulations displays a reduction of amplitude at low-latitudes after the onset of NH and SH SSWs. As WACCM-X simulations qualitatively reproduce this feature of DW1 tidal variability common to both NH and SH SSWs, they have been used to examine the possible mechanism that could explain these observations in the DW1 tide. It is known that changes in the latitudinal shear of zonal winds at low-latitudes strongly affect the seasonal variation of the DW1 tide in the MLT. We show that SSW-associated changes in the latitudinal shear in the MLT could explain the observed variability of the DW1 tide during NH and SH SSWs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analyzed the characteristics of small-scale wave disturbances emerging during the evolution and transformation of the jet stream (JS) in the winter stratosphere and the lower mesosphere of the northern hemisphere, including the periods of sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) events. Continuous generation of small-scale wave disturbances is shown to occur over quiet geomagnetic winter periods in the region of a steady jet stream in the strato–mesosphere. We studied spatial spectra for the vertical velocity variations, determined by the parameters of emerging wave disturbances. The greatest intensities of disturbances are recorded in the regions corresponding to the high velocities of the JS (from 100 m/s and higher). In the northern hemisphere, those latitudes encompass ~40–60° N. When a steady jet stream forms, the horizontal length and periods of the most intensive wavelike disturbances are shown to vary within 300–1000 km and 50–150 min correspondingly (which match the characteristic scales of internal gravity waves, or IGWs). During the SSW prewarming stage, the JS transforms substantially. Over the same periods, a disturbance intensification is recorded, as well as the emergence of larger-scale disturbances with 3000–5000-km horizontal wavelengths, and even higher. After the SSW peak and during the stratosphere circulation recovery, the velocity in the JS substantially decreases and an essential reduction in wave-disturbance generation occurs. There are decreases in the average amplitude values (by factors of 1.8–6.7). The strongest amplitude drop was observed for short waves (zonal wavelength λU = 300 km). The maximum attenuation for all wavelengths was observed for the strongest 2008/2009 winter SSW. For the analyzed events, such attenuation was observed for up to about a month after the SSW peak. Thus, JS disruption during major SSWs leads to deactivating the source for generating small-scale wave disturbances in the stratosphere. This may affect disturbances in higher atmospheric layers. The results obtained are the experimental evidence that JS itself is the primary source for the generation of IGWs in the stratosphere–lower mesosphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solar cycle 24 from December 2008 to December 2019 had an unusual progression and was the weakest cycle in a century, providing an ideal scenario to study perceivable effect of wave forcing from lower atmosphere. This study examines the ionospheric response to meteorological phenomenon of sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) during solar cycle 24 (Arctic winter 2008/2009 to 2018/2019) using Global Positioning System‐derived total electron content (VTEC) and its deviation from monthly median (ΔVTEC) for four longitudinal chains. Each chain comprises eight stations, covering varied latitudes in both hemispheres. A longitude‐ and latitude‐dependent response of VTEC is observed within ∼3 weeks of peak polar stratospheric temperature anomaly (ΔTmax), with maximum variations seen for low‐latitude stations at American and Australian‐East Asian sectors. It is seen that variations during minor warming events are comparable or at times even larger than during major warming events. These responses increase with an increase in solar activity, with major SSW events primarily seen during moderate and low solar activity periods and minor SSW during high solar activity period. Under similar ionizing conditions, a quite similar ionospheric response is observed irrespective of ΔTmax and of SSW type (major or minor); however, under similar SSW strength, no prominent pattern in ionospheric response is observed. Latitude‐dependent semidiurnal ionospheric behavior is observed for only a few events. This vertical coupling between lower and upper atmosphere during SSW is predominantly influenced by 13–16 days periodicities in VTEC, along with other periodicities of 9, 7, 5, and 3 days. Plain Language Summary: Sun is the primary source of ionization for the ionized layer of the atmosphere, the ionosphere. However, solar cycle 24, extending from December 2008 to December 2019, was the weakest cycle in the last 100 years. With such low levels of solar forcing, the ionosphere is expected to be strongly influenced by the wave forcing from below. Sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) is one of the important meteorological phenomena which impacts the ionosphere and will have perceivable effects during such ideal background scenario. This study focuses on the characteristics of ionospheric variations, that is, ionospheric response to SSW as the solar cycle progresses, thereby characterizing these variations as a function of solar activity, type of SSW, longitude/latitude, and dominant periodicities observed in these variations during 11 SSW events from Arctic winter 2008/2009 to 2018/2019. It is seen that variations during minor warming events are comparable or at times even larger than during major warming events. These responses increase with an increase in solar activity, with major SSW events primarily seen during moderate and low solar activity periods and minor SSW during high solar activity periods. These factors influencing the ionospheric variations during SSW are discussed. Key Points: Ionospheric variation (ΔVTEC) during minor warming events is comparable or at times even larger than during major warming eventsSemidiurnal behavior in ΔVTEC is observed for only a few sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) events and is found to depend on latitudeIonospheric variations during SSW show dominant 13–16 days periodicity along with periodicities of 9, 7, 5, and 3 days [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While knowledge of the energy inputs from the Sun (as it is the primary energy source) is important for understanding the solar-terrestrial system, of equal importance is the manner in which the terrestrial part of the system organizes itself in a quasi-equilibrium state to accommodate and re-emit this energy. The ROSMIC project (2014–2018 inclusive) was the component of SCOSTEP's Variability of the Sun and Its Terrestrial Impact (VarSITI) program which supported research into the terrestrial component of this system. The four themes supported under ROSMIC are solar influence on climate, coupling by dynamics, trends in the mesosphere lower thermosphere, and trends and solar influence in the thermosphere. Over the course of the VarSITI program, scientific advances were made in all four themes. This included improvements in understanding (1) the transport of photochemically produced species from the thermosphere into the lower atmosphere; (2) the manner in which waves produced in the lower atmosphere propagate upward and influence the winds, dynamical variability, and transport of constituents in the mesosphere, ionosphere, and thermosphere; (3) the character of the long-term trends in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere; and (4) the trends and structural changes taking place in the thermosphere. This paper reviews the progress made in these four areas over the past 5 years and summarizes the anticipated research directions in these areas in the future. It also provides a physical context of the elements which maintain the structure of the terrestrial component of this system. The effects that changes to the atmosphere (such as those currently occurring as a result of anthropogenic influences) as well as plausible variations in solar activity may have on the solar terrestrial system need to be understood to support and guide future human activities on Earth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analyzed the characteristics of small-scale wave disturbances emerging during the evolution and transformation of the jet stream (JS) in the winter stratosphere and the lower mesosphere of the northern hemisphere, including the periods of sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) events. Continuous generation of small-scale wave disturbances is shown to occur over quiet geomagnetic winter periods in the region of a steady jet stream in the strato–mesosphere. We studied spatial spectra for the vertical velocity variations, determined by the parameters of emerging wave disturbances. The greatest intensities of disturbances are recorded in the regions corresponding to the high velocities of the JS (from 100 m/s and higher). In the northern hemisphere, those latitudes encompass ~40–60° N. When a steady jet stream forms, the horizontal length and periods of the most intensive wavelike disturbances are shown to vary within 300–1000 km and 50–150 min correspondingly (which match the characteristic scales of internal gravity waves, or IGWs). During the SSW prewarming stage, the JS transforms substantially. Over the same periods, a disturbance intensification is recorded, as well as the emergence of larger-scale disturbances with 3000–5000-km horizontal wavelengths, and even higher. After the SSW peak and during the stratosphere circulation recovery, the velocity in the JS substantially decreases and an essential reduction in wave-disturbance generation occurs. There are decreases in the average amplitude values (by factors of 1.8–6.7). The strongest amplitude drop was observed for short waves (zonal wavelength λU = 300 km). The maximum attenuation for all wavelengths was observed for the strongest 2008/2009 winter SSW. For the analyzed events, such attenuation was observed for up to about a month after the SSW peak. Thus, JS disruption during major SSWs leads to deactivating the source for generating small-scale wave disturbances in the stratosphere. This may affect disturbances in higher atmospheric layers. The results obtained are the experimental evidence that JS itself is the primary source for the generation of IGWs in the stratosphere–lower mesosphere.

A comparative study on the impact of rare Southern Hemisphere (SH) Sudden Stratospheric Warmings (SSW) on the middle atmospheric circulation is investigated using a global reanalysis dataset. Since the SH SSW generally occur around spring equinox marking the seasonal transition, so an attempt has been made to isolate the seasonal transition effect from the actual data by carrying out deseasoning to delineate the effects mainly due to the warming. The deseasoned winds are able to extract relatively weak dynamical signatures of SSW at lower altitudes in terms of prominent zonal mean easterly forcing around the peak warming day (PWD) which are not evident from the actual winds. The influence of 2002 SSW seems to reach the troposphere in terms of easterly deseasoned forcing, which is not the case in 2019. Also the deseasoned winds in the stratosphere reveals earlier occurrence of easterly forcing in the extratropical latitudes, which progresses poleward around the PWD indicating a possible tropical precursor to the SH SSW. In general, the actual upper mesospheric wind is dominated by seasonal transition but the deseasoned winds reveal easterly and southerly forcing due to the SSW. Interestingly, the horizontal flow is found to be very different or even opposite in direction at different longitudes indicating uneven longitudinal response of the atmosphere to the warming events across the globe. Overall, the present study provides a detailed and comparative overview of the middle atmospheric circulation in terms of zonal mean flow and concomitant zonal variability during two rare major and minor SSW events in the SH. • Identification of warming impact by removing seasonal contributions for global circulation analysis during SH SSWs. • Easterly forcing at lower altitudes during SSWs, indicating distinct warming-induced impacts. • Early low latitude stratospheric influences, hinting at tropical connections to SH SSWs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The polar vortices play a central role in vertically coupling the atmosphere from the ground to geospace by shaping the background wind field through which atmospheric waves propagate. This work extends the vertical range of previous polar vortex climatologies into the upper mesosphere. The mesospheric polar vortices are defined using the CO gradient method with Microwave Limb Sounder satellite data; the stratospheric polar vortices are defined using a stream function‐based algorithm with data from meteorological reanalyses. Strengths and weaknesses of the two vortex definitions are given, as well as recommendations for when, where, and why to use each definition. Midwinter mean vortex geometry in the mesosphere is funnel shaped in the Arctic, with a wide top and narrow bottom. The Antarctic mesospheric vortex tapers with height in early winter and broadens with height in late winter. The seasonal evolution of mesospheric vortex frequency of occurrence, size, and zonal symmetry in both hemispheres is presented. Unexpected behavior above 60 km includes late season vortex broadening in both hemispheres, especially following winters without sudden stratospheric warmings. Following extreme stratospheric disturbances the polar night jet in the mesosphere strengthens and shifts poleward, resulting in a mesospheric vortex that contracts. Overall, the mesospheric polar vortices are more similar between the two hemispheres than their stratospheric counterparts. The vortex climatology presented here serves as an observational benchmark to which the mesospheric polar vortices in high‐top climate models can be evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We analyze 10 years of Mars Express total electron content (TEC) data from the Mars Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionospheric Sounding (MARSIS) instrument. We describe the spatial, seasonal, and solar cycle behavior of the Martian TEC. Due to orbit evolution, data come mainly from the evening, dusk terminator and postdusk nightside. The annual TEC profile shows a peak at Ls = 25–75° which is not related to the solar irradiance variation but instead coincides with an increase in the thermospheric density, possibly linked with variations in the surface pressure produced by atmospheric cycles such as the CO2 or water cycles. With the help of numerical modeling, we explore the contribution of the ion species to the TEC and the coupling between the thermosphere and ionosphere. These are the first observations which show that the TEC is a useful parameter, routinely measured by Mars Express, of the dynamics of the lower‐upper atmospheric coupling and can be used as tracer for the behavior of the thermosphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Lower Atmosphere/Ionosphere Coupling Experiment (LAICE) CubeSat mission will focus on understanding the interaction of atmospheric gravity waves generated by weather systems in the lower atmosphere with the mesosphere, lower thermosphere, and ionosphere (MLTI). Specifically, LAICE will focus on the energy and momentum delivered by these waves and attempt to connect the wave sources and the wave effects in three widely different altitude ranges, substantially adding to our knowledge of critical coupling processes between disparate atmospheric regions. The LAICE mission consists of a 6U CubeSat with a four-instrument payload. The retarding potential analyzer (RPA) will provide in-situ ion density and temperature measurements. A four-channel photometer will measure density and temperature variations in the mesosphere through observations of O 2 (0, 0) Atmospheric band and O 2 Herzberg I band airglows. There are two pressure sensors that comprise the Space Pressure Suite (SPS): the Space Neutral Pressure Instrument (SNeuPI) and the LAICE Ionization gauge Neutral Atmosphere Sensor (LINAS). Both will provide neutral density measurements, but SNeuPI is a prototype sensor that will be validated by LINAS. This CubeSat mission, scheduled for launch in early 2016 from the International Space Station, provides a cost-effective approach to measuring low altitude in-situ parameters along with simultaneous imaging that is capable of addressing the fundamental questions of atmospheric gravity wave coupling in the MLTI region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A statistical study of the thermospheric gravity waves has been carried out using multiwavelength daytime oxygen airglow emission intensity and equatorial electrojet (EEJ) strength data, which originate from four different altitude regions of the thermosphere. The thermospheric daytime oxygen airglow emission intensities at wavelengths 557.7, 630.0, and 777.4 nm, obtained during the January to March period in the three years 2011–2013, have been used. The percentage number of days in which waves with spectral periods in the gravity wave range have occurred are found to be greater for the relatively higher solar activity duration (in 2013) compared to that of low solar activity (in 2011). This observation is explained to be due to the altering background atmospheric density and temperature (that vary with solar activity), which, in turn, influences the propagation and dissipation of waves. Moreover, the higher frequency gravity waves (of periods Brunt–Väisälä to 30 min) have been found to be present in greater numbers in the thermosphere compared to that of low-and-moderate frequency gravity waves (of periods 30–60 min). This behavior in the frequency selection by ambient conditions at thermospheric altitude is in accordance with earlier theoretical and simulation works. The ratios of high- to low-frequency occurrences have also been found to be greater in higher solar activity period of 2013 compared to that of the relatively low solar activity period of 2011. These results thus provide experimental evidence to the earlier simulation works suggesting similar behavior, as found here, for thermospheric gravity waves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A high-spectral resolution multiwavelength imaging slit spectrograph using echelle grating (MISE) that is capable of measuring daytime optical emissions at multiple wavelengths simultaneously over a large (140°) field-of-view is presented. Optical emissions during daytime (either dayglow or daytime aurora) are buried in the strong daytime solar scattered background continuum and therefore very high spectral resolution measurements are required to obtain their contributions. MISE measures the emission intensities of OI 557.7nm, OI 630.0nm, and OI 777.4nm that originate in the upper atmosphere. The dispersion achieved by the spectrograph at these three spectral regions, respectively, is 0.004, 0.0049, and 0.0059nmpixel−1. By using an echelle grating as the dispersing element, multiple spectral regions of aeronomic interest are made to fall in the same diffraction angle range so that rotation of grating is avoided. This instrument is immune to ambient temperature fluctuations and vibrations and is suitable for long and continuous field operations. The spectral and intensity calibration of this instrument along with the data analysis methodology are discussed. Sample data of emission intensities from all the three wavelengths mentioned above for a couple of days obtained from Hyderabad (17°N, 80°E; 8.7°N Mag. Lat.) are presented which show a good similarity when compared with those of empirical and photochemical model results. The OI 557.7nm daytime emissions are measured sparsely from ground-based techniques and ground-based OI 777.4nm daytime emissions from ground are presented for the first time, to the best of our knowledge. The variability is highlighted and the potential of such measurements to derive information on vertical coupling of atmospheric regions and wave dynamics during daytime are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because of the importance of gravity waves (GWs) in coupling different atmospheric regions, further studies are necessary to investigate the characteristics of GW propagation in a non-isothermal atmosphere. Using a nonlinear numerical model, we simulate the propagation of small amplitude GWs with various wavelengths in different non-isothermal atmospheres. Our results show that the GW vertical wavelength undergoes sharp changes above the stratopause and mesopause region. Specifically, for a GW with an initial vertical wavelength of 5 km, the seasonal background temperature structure difference at 50° latitude can cause the vertical wavelength to vary by ∼2 km in the mesosphere and by as large as ∼4.5 km in the lower thermosphere. In addition, the GW paths exhibit great divergence in the height range of ∼65-110 km. Our results also show that the variations of GW path, vertical wavelength and horizontal phase velocity are not synchronized in a non-isothermal atmosphere as in an isothermal atmosphere. Despite the fact that all GWs change their characteristics as they propagate upward in a non-isothermal atmosphere, the variations relative to the initial parameters at a reference height are similar for different initial vertical wavelengths. Our results indicate that the changing characteristics of a gravity wave in a non-isothermal atmosphere need to be considered when investigating the relationship of GWs at two different heights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Tree plantations have developed a reputation for excessive water use, with age commonly used as an explanatory variable to predict water loss – but many factors have the potential to affect plantation water use, and few of these alternatives have been considered. Changes in forest cover may be correlated with other environmental changes that may affect precipitation, transpiration, and runoff, indicating that more thorough investigation is required in both field and simulation studies. Several factors influencing water use by plantations are amenable to management control, so there is scope to design and manage forest plantations deliberately for water use efficiency. Research is needed to elucidate the relative contributions of forests and grasslands to atmospheric moisture; the influence of vegetation on the distribution of rainfall; the effect of air turbulence from plantation edges, firebreaks and streamlines; the potential to modify atmospheric coupling of forest plantations through plantation design, including the use of mixed species plantations, and by softening hard edges by thinning and pruning plantation edges. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We compared the change in microclimate and tree water relations between a boreal mixedwood, variable retention (VR), partially harvested stand and an adjacent, unharvested control stand. A nearly three-fold increase in potential evapotranspiration (ETP) at the crown level in the VR site was approximately proportional to a 2.8-fold increase in wind speed (u), along with subsidiary increases in net radiation (Q *) and vapour pressure deficit (D) after harvesting. Soil volumetric moisture content (θ v) also increased, while there were negligible changes in air temperature (T a) and relative humidity (RH) after partial harvesting. Whole-tree sap flow response to cutting was measured in white spruce (Picea glauca), balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera) and paper birch (Betula papyrifera) with thermal-dissipation sap flow sensors. After partial harvesting, transpiration per unit leaf area (Q l) in all three species began earlier in the morning and extended later in the day in VR trees than control trees. Mean maximum sap flow rates per leaf area (Q l-max) during mid-day for P. glauca in the VR site were about 2.5 times greater than in the control trees, while B. papyrifera Q l-max was approximately 1.6 times higher in the VR site. For P. balsamifera, however, Q l-max was only marginally greater in the VR site than in the control. This suggests stomatal closure by the P. balsamifera and B. papyrifera residual trees likely occurred to prevent excessive xylem cavitation. Xylem pressure potential (Ψ x) measurements of twigs also indicated water stress in both P. balsamifera and B. papyrifera in the VR stand, but not for P. glauca. However, similarity of sapwood hydraulic conductivity (K Ψ ) between the two sites, for all three species, showed that xylem cavitation of the main stems was insignificant following VR harvesting. Decoupling coefficients (Ω) indicated that all three species were more coupled to the atmosphere in the VR site than in the control. Species differences in susceptibility to atmospheric moisture-stress induced cavitation, combined with differences in stress-coping mechanisms and physiology, appeared to influence the response in transpiration to increased ETP following VR harvesting. Species susceptibility to atmospheric moisture-stress due to increased ETP following partial harvesting can be ranked as: P. balsamifera > B. papyrifera > P. glauca. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]