MODELING THE EFFECT OF MEAN PRESSURE-GRADIENT ON THE MEAN FLOW WITHINFORESTS

Air flow within forests was simulated using models based on first- and second-order closure principles, with the addition of the mean barome tric pressure gradient in the momentum equation. The simulations indic ate that the mean pressure gradient can have a strong influence on the mean wind speed profiles within forests. The inclusion of the pressur e term can improve both models in terms of their capacities to match o bservations. The simulations also demonstrate that significant wind di rection shear can occur within a forest.