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Continuous Observation (continuous + observation)

Distribution by Scientific Domains
Life Sciences60%
Engineering40%

Selected Abstracts

Hydrometeorological behaviour of pine and larch forests in eastern Siberia

HYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES, Issue 1 2004
Shuko Hamada
Abstract Seasonal changes in the water and energy exchanges over a pine forest in eastern Siberia were investigated and compared with published data from a nearby larch forest. Continuous observations (April to August 2000) were made of the eddy-correlation sensible heat flux and latent heat flux above the canopy. The energy balance was almost closed, although the sum of the turbulent fluxes sometimes exceeded the available energy flux (Rn , G) when the latent heat flux was large; this was related to the wind direction. We examined the seasonal variation in energy balance components at this site. The seasonal variation and magnitude of the sensible heat flux (H) was similar to that of the latent heat flux (,E), with maximum values occurring in mid-June. Consequently, the Bowen ratio was around 1·0 on many days during the study period. On some clear days just after rainfall, ,E was very large and the sum of H and ,E exceeded Rn , G. The evapotranspiration rate above the dry canopy from May to August was 2·2 mm day,1. The contributions of understory evapotranspiration (Eu) and overstory transpiration (Eo) to the evapotranspiration of the entire ecosystem (Et) were both from 25 to 50% throughout the period analysed. These results suggest that Eu plays a very important role in the water cycle at this site. From snowmelt through the tree growth season (23 April to 19 August 2000), the total incoming water, comprised of the sum of precipitation and the water equivalent of the snow at the beginning of the melt season, was 228 mm. Total evapotranspiration from the forest, including interception loss and evaporation from the soil when the canopy was wet, was 208,254 mm. The difference between the incoming and outgoing amounts in the water balance was from +20 to ,26 mm. The water and energy exchanges of the pine and larch forest differed in that ,E and H increased slowly in the pine forest, whereas ,E increased rapidly in the larch forest and H decreased sharply after the melting season. Consequently, the shape of the Bowen ratio curves at the two sites differed over the period analysed, as a result of the differences in the species in each forest and in soil thawing. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Sectioning of radiolarians under continuous observation

FOSSIL RECORD-MITTEILUNGEN AUS DEM MUSEUM FUER NATURKUNDE, Issue 1 2002
Joachim Stanek
Abstract A new method to study the internal structure of fossil radiolarians in presented. The core of the method is (1) freezing the radiolarian in a drop of water using a Peltier module and (2) slicing the radiolarian with a specially equipped electric tooth-brush under an optical microscope. With this method the internal structure of diagenetically altered radiolarians can be studied even if internal sediment cannot be removed. Eine neue Methode zur Analyse der Internstrukturen von Radiolarien wird vorgestellt. Die Methode beinhaltet (1) Einfrieren einzelner Radiolarien in einem Wassertropfen mit Hilfe eine Peltier-Elements und (2) Schleifen der Radiolarien mit Hilfe eine modifizierten elektrischen Zahnbürste unter einem Binokular. Mit dieser Methode ist es möglich Internstrukturen von Radiolarien zu untersuchen, selbst wenn diese diagenetisch verändert sind oder fest verbackenes Internsediment aufweisen. [source]

The Development of the Observational Method

GEOMECHANICS AND TUNNELLING, Issue 5 2008
Wulf Schubert o.Univ.-Prof.
A continuous observation during construction always has been an important element of geotechnical engineering for minimizing risks. The reasons are the uncertainties in the geological and geotechnical models, as well as the limited capability to sufficiently accurately describe the complex ground behaviour. In the early days design of geotechnical structures thus was mainly based on experience. As usual, experience was used to develop mathematical solutions to the problem. To account for the inherent scatter of parameters and uncertainties in the models, the assumptions made during design had and have to be verified or falsified during construction by observations. For safe and economical construction, the design has to be adjusted during construction to the actual conditions. The term "observational method" was first formally introduced by Peck and Terzaghi. The original ideas behind the method have not always been understood or followed. After a brief historical review of the observational method the current status of the method is critically reviewed, and further developments discussed. Die Beobachtungsmethode einst und jetzt Die Schwierigkeit, den Baugrund ausreichend zu erkunden und dessen Interaktion mit dem Bauwerk zutreffend mathematisch zu modellieren, erfordert die laufende Beobachtung während des Baus, um die Baumaßnahmen an die tatsächlichen Verhältnisse anzupassen und das Risiko vermindern zu können. Mit vermehrter Erfahrung wurden auch Analysemodelle entwickelt. Zur Berücksichtigung der unvermeidlichen Streuung der Baugrundeigenschaften und der Unsicherheiten in den Modellen wurden und werden während des Baus Beobachtungen durchgeführt. Die Bezeichnung "Beobachtungsmethode" wurde formal von Peck und Terzaghi eingeführt. Die damals formulierten Grundsätze wurden nicht immer verstanden und befolgt. Im Beitrag wird nach einem kurzen historischen Rückblick über Entstehung und Entwicklung der Methode der derzeitige Stand kritisch beleuchtet, und weitere Entwicklungen werden diskutiert. [source]

Ecosystem,atmosphere exchange of CH4 and N2O and ecosystem respiration in wetlands in the Sanjiang Plain, Northeastern China

GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY, Issue 3 2009
CHANGCHUN SONG
Abstract Natural wetlands are critically important to global change because of their role in modulating atmospheric concentrations of CO2, CH4, and N2O. One 4-year continuous observation was conducted to examine the exchanges of CH4 and N2O between three wetland ecosystems and the atmosphere as well as the ecosystem respiration in the Sanjiang Plain in Northeastern China. From 2002 to 2005, the mean annual budgets of CH4 and N2O, and ecosystem respiration were 39.40 ± 6.99 g C m,2 yr,1, 0.124 ± 0.05 g N m,2 yr,1, and 513.55 ± 8.58 g C m,2 yr,1 for permanently inundated wetland; 4.36 ± 1.79 g C m,2 yr,1, 0.11 ± 0.12 g N m,2 yr,1, and 880.50 ± 71.72 g C m,2 yr,1 for seasonally inundated wetland; and 0.21 ± 0.1 g C m,2 yr,1, 0.28 ± 0.11 g N m,2 yr,1, and 1212.83 ± 191.98 g C m,2 yr,1 for shrub swamp. The substantial interannual variation of gas fluxes was due to the significant climatic variability which underscores the importance of long-term continuous observations. The apparent seasonal pattern of gas emissions associated with a significant relationship of gas fluxes to air temperature implied the potential effect of global warming on greenhouse gas emissions from natural wetlands. The budgets of CH4 and N2O fluxes and ecosystem respiration were highly variable among three wetland types, which suggest the uncertainties in previous studies in which all kinds of natural wetlands were treated as one or two functional types. New classification of global natural wetlands in more detailed level is highly expected. [source]