Measuring the Natural EnvironmentMeasurements of natural phenomena are vital for any type of environmental monitoring, from the practical day-to-day management of rivers and agriculture, and weather forecasting, through to longer-term assessment of climate change and glacial retreat. This book looks at past, present and future measurement techniques, describing the operation of the instruments used and the quality and accuracy of the data they produce. The book will be important for all those who use or collect such data, whether for pure research or day-to-day management of the environment. It will be useful for students and professionals working in a wide range of environmental science: meteorology, climatology, hydrology, water resources, oceanography, civil engineering, agriculture, forestry, glaciology, ecology. The first edition received excellent reviews and this new edition has been expanded considerably, through the addition of six new chapters and the extension and modification of many of the existing chapters. |
Contents
Basics | 1 |
Radiation | 11 |
Temperature | 31 |
Humidity | 53 |
Wind | 69 |
Barometric pressure | 91 |
Evaporation | 113 |
Precipitation | 134 |
Visibility | 320 |
Clouds | 343 |
Lightning | 361 |
The upper atmosphere | 383 |
The oceans | 421 |
Cold regions | 452 |
Remote sensing | 469 |
Atmospheric composition | 503 |
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Common terms and phrases
access tube accuracy allow anemometer angle antenna Argos atmosphere automatic barometer base beam borehole bucket buoys calibration capacitance changes Chapter cloud cylinder depth detection diameter direction electrical electronic error estimate EUMETSAT evaporation field station Figure float flow flux frequency gauge geostationary give Gray code ground heat height humidity Ian Strangeways Inmarsat installed instruments light logger lysimeter manual measured mercury Meteorological Meteosat meter method metres Natural Environment neutron probe observations operated orbit ozone potentiometer precipitation precise pressure problem pulse radar radiometers radiosondes rain rainfall raingauge range readings received reed switches resistance thermometer river rotation sample satellite scattering screen sensing sensor ships signal snow soil moisture solar radiation sonde Stevenson screen surface techniques telemetering telemetry tensiometers thermometer transmission transmissometers transmitter usually variables vertical visibility voltage water vapour wave wavelength weather wind speed