Kinetic Effects and the Dissipation of the Turbulent Energy Cascade in the Solar Wind

Alfvenic fluctuations engage in a turbulent energy cascade which dissipates at plasma scales. Solar wind proton properties and associated intervals of Alfvenic fluctuations give the most direct evidence for plasma energization by the turbulence. The observational evidence for dissipation of Alfvenic fluctuations and heating of plasma in association with turbulence will be reviewed. The numerical treatment of kinetic proton effects and what it can reveal about the mechanism of dissipation and heating will be presented.