An analysis of errors in the calculation of energy flux densities above vegetation by a Bowen-ratio profile method

Abstract

The Bowen-ratio profile method for calculating total carbon dioxide, latent heat, and sensible heat flux density above a corn crop was used by measuring temperature, water vapor, and CO2 concentrations at several heights in the aerodynamic boundary layer of the crop. The ratio (α) of sensible heat flux density to carbon dioxide flux density as well as the Bowen ratio (β) were used in the computations. The two ratios, α and β were determined graphically from the slopes of linear plots of temperature vs CO2 concentration and vs water vapor. Each of the energy flux densities was computed from the two ratios and net radiation minus soil heat flux density. An analysis of probable error was performed on the Bowen-ratio profile method to evaluate the accuracy of the flux density estimates. Less than 10% error was found for latent heat flux density and less than 15% for carbon dioxide flux density under normal midday conditions for the instrumentation used. However, the carbon dioxide flux density error increased to over 40% when the sensible heat flux was small.