Journal Facts

Journal
Journal of Environmental Systems
ISSN
0047-2433 (print) 1541-3802 (electronic)
Volume
8
Issue
2
Date
1/1/1978

Article Facts

Title
Rainfall Patterns and Agricultural Practices
DOI
10.2190/B0V3-BUCR-WJFY-FVFT
Author
Jonathan Sands
Pages
99-110
Online Date
05/09/2002

Article Links

Rainfall Patterns and Agricultural Practices

Jonathan Sands

DOI: 10.2190/B0V3-BUCR-WJFY-FVFT

Abstract

A mechanism is proposed to account for the observed rainfall increases over forests compared to geographically similar non-forest areas. This mechanism is based on the "thermal mountain" concept advanced by Malkus and Stern in 1953. A 10 km long forest, 6°C hotter than the surrounding region, can produce a thermal mountain 1026 meters high.

The height of the thermal mountain is dependent on the prevailing windspeed, the temperature difference between the forest and the surrounding area, the absolute air temperature, and the length of the forest in the direction of the prevailing wind.

The extensive deforestation due to agricultural needs may have profound effects on the climate, especially rainfall patterns, of the farm lands and surrounding countryside.

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