The partitioning between latent and sensible heat flux at FLUXNET sites

The partitioning between ecosystem latent (LE) and sensible (H) heat fluxes is critical for understanding the hydrological cycle, predicting boundary layer development, weather and climate. The FLUXNET network provides a unique opportunity to investigate the partitioning of latent and sensible heat fluxes at the surface over a broad range of vegetation types and climates. This paper focuses on two aspects of surface flux partitioning at more than 20 sites worldwide. The first focus is on the relative partitioning between latent and sensible heat fluxes, or the Bowen ratio, during the warm season. We investigate the Bowen ratio across vegetation types and climates, and suggest controlling climatological and ecological factors. The surface resistance, which is related to the ability of the vegetation to supply available water and is one factor controlling the Bowen ratio, was generally lower at the agricultural and deciduous forest sites compared to coniferous forests. The ratio of the atmospheric humidity deficit to the net radiation (proportional to the climatological resistance), a second important factor controlling the Bowen ratio, was generally lower at sites near large bodies of water or over tundra vegetation, and was greater at more continental sites. The second focus of the study is on the diurnal trends of latent and sensible heat fluxes. We quantify the diurnal pattern of turbulent energy fluxes using the `diurnal centroid', which is an indicator of whether the fluxes peak in the morning or afternoon. The diurnal centroid provides useful signatures of important physiological and climatological factors that control surface fluxes. These factors include stomatal closure, advection, atmospheric stability and vegetation height. Sites with tall vegetation and/or high wind speeds in continental regions with limited affects of advection, a stable and dry atmosphere and weak stomatal sensitivity to atmospheric humidity deficits or water potential tend to have late diurnal peaks in latent heat flux relative to sensible heat flux. Alternatively, sites with short vegetation, prominent advection from maritime sources, a weakly stable and moist atmosphere and a strong stomatal sensitivity to humidity deficit or water potential will have earlier peaks in latent heat flux relative to sensible heat flux.