Turbulence flux estimates of sensible and latent heat near shelterbelts during low wind conditions

A study was conducted to evaluate sensible and latent heat fluxes near shel terbelts under low wind conditions using eddy correlation. The study site w as located at the Agricultural Meteorological Research Center in Mead, Nebr aska during the summer of 1995. A wheat stubble and alfalfa field surrounde d by a shelterbelt 12 m in height were instrumented with surface energy bal ance systems using eddy correlation that were located in the windward and l eeward side of the shelterbelts for both fields. Estimates of sensible and latent heat fluxes were compared for the windward and leeward sides of the shelterbelt for both surfaces. Daily sensible heat fluxes tended to be larg er in the open location relative to the sheltered while latent heat fluxes tended to be higher behind the shelterbelt. Overall surface energy balance closure during the study averaged 0.85 indicating reliable consistent estim ates of turbulence flux using eddy correlation near shelterbelts.