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Topoclimatological case-study of Alpine pastures near the Albula Pass in the eastern Swiss Alps

Michna, P.; Eugster, W.; Hiller, R. V.; Zeeman, M. J. 1; Wanner, H.
1 Institut für Meteorologie und Klimaforschung (IMK), Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)

Abstract:

Alpine grasslands are an important source of fodder for the cattle of Alpine farmers. Only during the short summer season can these pastures be used for grazing. With the anticipated climate change, it is likely that plant production – and thus the fodder basis for the cattle – will be influenced. Investigating the dependence of biomass production on topoclimatic factors will allow us to better understand how anticipated climate change may influence this traditional Alpine farming system. Because small-scale topoclimatological variations of the main meteorological variables: temperature, humidity, precipitation, shortwave incoming radiation and wind speed are not easily derived from available long-term climate stations in mountainous terrain, it was our goal to investigate the topoclimatic variations over the pastures belonging to the Alp Weissenstein research station north of the Albula Pass in the eastern Swiss Alps. We present a basic assessment of current topoclimatic conditions as a site characterization for ongoing ecological climate change studies. To be able to link short-term studies with long-term climate records, we related agrometeorological measurements with those of surrounding long-term sites run by MeteoSwiss, both on valley bottoms (Davos, Samedan), and on mountain tops (Weissfluhjoch, Piz Corvatsch). ... mehr


Verlagsausgabe §
DOI: 10.5445/IR/120094328
Originalveröffentlichung
DOI: 10.5194/gh-68-249-2013
Scopus
Zitationen: 7
Dimensions
Zitationen: 8
Cover der Publikation
Zugehörige Institution(en) am KIT Institut für Meteorologie und Klimaforschung – Atmosphärische Umweltforschung (IMK-IFU)
KIT-Zentrum Klima und Umwelt (ZKU)
Publikationstyp Zeitschriftenaufsatz
Publikationsjahr 2013
Sprache Englisch
Identifikator ISSN: 0016-7312
urn:nbn:de:swb:90-AAA1200943286
KITopen-ID: 120094328
HGF-Programm 12.02.02 (POF II, LK 01) Ökosystem - Atmosphäre Interaktionen
Erschienen in Geographica Helvetica
Verlag Copernicus Publications
Band 68
Heft 4
Seiten 249-263
Nachgewiesen in Dimensions
Scopus
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