Numerical investigation of velocity distribution of turbulent flow through vertically double-layered vegetation

The velocity structures of flow through vertically double-layered vegetation(VDLV)as well as single-layered rigid vegetation(SLV)were investigated computationally with a three-dimensional(3D)Reynolds stress turbulence model,using the computational fluid dynamics(CFD)code FLUENT.The detailed velocity distribution was explored with a varying initial Froude number(Fr),with consideration of the steady subcritical flow conditions of an inland tsunami.In VDLV flows,the numerical model successfully captured the inflection point in the profiles of mean streamwise velocities in the mixing-layer region around the top of short submerged vegetation.An upward and downward movement of flow occurred at the positions located just behind the tall and short vegetation,respectively.Overall,higher streamwise velocities were observed in the upper vegetation layer due to high porosity,with Pr=98%(sparse vegetation,where Pr is the porosity),as compared to those in the lower vegetation layer,which had comparatively low porosity,with Pr=91%(dense vegetation).A rising trend of velocities was found as the flow passed through the vegetation region,followed by a clear sawtooth distribution,as compared to the regions just upstream and downstream of vegetation where the flow was almost uniform.In VDLV flows,a rising trend in the flow resistance was observed with the increase in the initial Froude number,i.e.,Fr?0.67,0.70,and 0.73.However,the flow resistance in the case of SLV was relatively very low.The numerical results also show the flow structures within the vicinity of short and tall vegetation,which are difficult to attain through experimental measurements.

Rebirth after death: forest succession dynamics in response to climate change on Gongga Mountain, Southwest China

Global climate change is having long-term impacts on the geographic distribution of forest species. However, the response of vertical belts of mountain forests to climate change is still little known. The vertical distribution of forest vegetation(vertical vegetation belt) on Gongga Mountain in Southwest China has been monitored for 30 years. The forest alternation of the vertical vegetation belt under different climate conditions was simulated by using a mathematical model GFSM(the Gongga Forest Succession Model). Three possible Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change(IPCC) climate scenarios(increase of air temperature and precipitation by 1.8℃/5%, 2.8℃/10% and 3.4℃/15% for B_1, A_1B and A_2 scenarios, respectively) were chosen to reflect lower, medium and higher changes of global climate. The vertical belts of mountainous vegetation will shift upward by approximately 300 m, 500 m and 600 m in the B_1, A_1B and A_2 scenarios, respectively, according to the simulated results. Thus, the alpine tree-line will move to a higher altitude. The simulation also demonstrated that, in a changing climate, the shift in the vegetation community will be a slow and extended process characterized by two main phases. During the initial phase, trees of the forest community degrade or die, owing to an inability to adapt to a warmer climate. This results in modest environment for the introduction of opportunistic species, consequently, the vegetation with new dominant tree species becomes predominant in the space vacated by the dead trees at the expense of previously dominated original trees as the succession succeed and climate change advance. Hence, the global climate change would dramatically change forest communities and tree species in mountainous regions because that the new forest community can grow only through the death of the original tree. Results indicated that climate change will cause the change of distribution and composition of forest communities on Gongga Mountain, and this change may enhance as the intensity of climate change increases. As a result, the alternation of death and rebirth would finally result in intensive landscape changes, and may strongly affect the eco-environment of mountainous regions.

Development of a modified thermal humidity index and its application to human thermal comfort of urban vegetation patches

Extremely hot environments can trigger serious health problems.To evaluate the effects of microclimate on thermal comfort,we proposed and validated a modified thermal humidity index(MTHI)that combined air temperature and relative humidity with land surface temperature(LST).MTHI was more sensitive to microclimate changes than the general thermal humidity index that includes only T and RH,and thus the thermal comfort could be better indicated.In an urban riparian buffer study,we estimated the temporal dynamics and spatial distribution of MTHI values for 47 vegetation patches and explored how structural characteristics of patches affect the thermal comfort.The results showed that planting could significantly reduce LST and MTHI.Vegetation patches with complex vertical structures had considerably higher thermal comfort than those with simple structures.Decreasing nearest distance to river or increasing plant abundance could reduce the thermal discomfort.There were significant differences in the structure characteristics between the patches with MTHI<70 and those with MTHI>70,implying the critical thresholds of variations in thermal comfort with patch structure.Given that people always feel uncomfortable during the daytime in July,optimizing the patch structure is essential to improve the microclimate regulation services of an urban landscape.