Scale-dependent measurement and analysis of ground surface temperature variability in alpine terrain

• DOI: 10.5194/tc-5-431-2011
• Publication Date: 2011-05-25T05:37:54Z
• Authors: S. Gubler; J. Fiddes; M. Keller; S. Gruber
• Keywords: Elevation (ballistics); Ranging

Abstract. Measurements of environmental variables are often used to validate and calibrate physically-based models. Depending on their application, the models at different scales, ranging from few meters tens kilometers. Environmental can vary strongly within grid cells these Validating a model with single measurement is therefore delicate susceptible induce bias in further applications. To address question uncertainty associated scale permafrost models, we present data 390 spatially-distributed ground surface temperature measurements recorded terrain high topographic variability Swiss Alps. We illustrate way program, deploy refind large number devices efficiently, strategy reduce loss reported earlier studies. Data after first year deployment presented. The represent temperatures two scales some On coarser scale, dependence mean annual elevation, slope, aspect cover type modelled multiple linear regression model. Sampled −4 °C 5 an area approximately 16 km2 subject elevational differences 1000 m. also indicate that up 6 (i.e., −2 4 °C) even band 300 Furthermore, fine-scale variations be (up 2.5 distances less than 14 m homogeneous terrain. effect this variable validation applications alpine regions discussed.