Modelling spatio-temporal near-surface temperature variation in high mountain landscapes

A surface energy balance model (SEB), describing the fluxes of latent and sensible heat as well as the ground heat flux at different surfaces, was developed to simulate substrate, surface and air temperature variations in high mountain landscapes at a high temporal resolution of one hour. Classical atmospheric forcing was imposed at a reference level. The SEB model was calibrated and tested using micro-meteorological measurements collected at different sites within four catchments of the low and middle alpine belt of western and eastern central Norway. These sites represent the most common alpine vegetation types. Agreement between the model predictions and measurements was good: in all cases at least 80% of the variance in the measurements was explained by the model. In the present stage, the model contains limitations concerning the effects of a snow pack and should be applied to the snow-free season, only. Nevertheless, comparably simple SEB models, like this one, can be employed to intensify knowledge about detailed-scaled micro-spatial temperature differentiation and its effects on high mountain ecosystem functioning. Due to its simplicity it is suitable for remote sensing utilization enabling the application along broad-scale altitudinal and oceanic-continental gradients.