Evaluating Anisotropy-based Monin-Obukhov Similarity Theory over Canopies and Complex Terrain

• DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2502.13970
• Publication Date: 2025-02-03
• Authors: Tyler Waterman; Ivana Stiperski; Nathaniel Chaney; Marc Calaf
• Keywords: Similarity (geometry)

Monin Obukhov Similarity Theory (MOST) has long served as the basis for parameterizations of turbulence exchange between surface and atmospheric boundary layer in models weather climate prediction. Decades research, however, illuminated some limitations MOST based parameterizations, particularly when MOST's foundational assumptions flat horizontally homogeneous terrain are violated. Recent work leveraged anisotropy an additional non-dimensional term to extend generalize complex terrain. In this work, we examine performance generalized scaling velocity variances, refit these scalings, study key characteristics across 47 towers wide ranging National Ecological Observation Network (NEON). NEON particular covers a diverse selection ecosystems, from arctic circle tropical islands, such expands previous vegetated canopies other environments not examined studies. The finds that readily extends new environments, with robust over range canopy configurations. Results also further illuminate variance degrees forms (one-component two-component) anisotropy, relate degree environmental characteristics, evaluate differences non-vegetated surfaces. Overall, our understanding complexity while paving way improved parameterizations.