Analysis of dew precipitation in three habitats within a small arid drainage basin, Negev Highlands, Israel

Abstract

Water availability is the most important limiting factor in arid lands. Any additional source of water, such as dew and fog, may have a positive impact upon the ecosystem. Dew and fog precipitation are largely dictated by weather conditions and habitat. Dew and fog measurements were carried out for 29 days in the fall of 1987–1989 at three distinctive habitats within a single drainage basin in the Negev Highlands, Israel. The habitats were a sun- and wind-exposed habitat, at two hilltops, a sun-shaded habitat, at the north- and west-facing footslopes, and a wind-protected habitat, at two wadi beds. Morning weather conditions (cloudiness, wind speed) were also monitored. An analysis of the dew and fog quantities and duration was performed. Clear mornings and a single foggy morning recorded were characterized by high dew and fog amounts and duration, whereas lower values were recorded during cloudy and especially windy mornings. The hilltop stations and especially the sun-shaded footslope stations obtained significantly higher values of dew and fog for a significantly longer duration than the wadi bed stations. Whereas the results did not support the hypothesis that advective condensation is responsible for the high dew amounts at the sun-shaded habitat, the data showed a continuous dew condensation even after sunrise. This continuous condensation, averaging up to 1.1 h following sunrise, was especially pronounced at the sun-shaded habitat and may explain the higher dew values and longer time duration obtained at this habitat. Since maximal dew values may not necessarily be obtained at sunrise and may change according to habitat, dew collection time should be carefully considered.