Vegetation affects urban mesoclimate and microclimate by intercepting solar radiation, directing air movement, and affecting air temperature. Microclimate, mesoclimate and macroclimate can be used to describe the climate of a given location. Macroclimate covers hundreds of square miles and parameters …
What is a mesoclimate?
A mesoclimate is the climate at an intermediate geographic scale, such as a downtown district, neighborhood, large park, farm, or wooded area. It is influenced by the physical characteristics of a local area, for example terrain features such as hills, …
What is a microclimate?
A microclimate is created in a relatively small area where environmental conditions may be warmer or cooler than in the general surrounding area. For example, trees or buildings can affect a microclimate by providing shade, resulting in cooler temperatures …
I want to burn firewood to save on heating costs. Burning wood releases CO2 but so does a power plant burning coal to make electricity to heat my house. Can you quantify the tradeoff? Which is better?
Coal and wood are energy sources that essentially have the same origin – Energy from the sun, that has been converted into chemical potential energy, stored in the bonds of carbohydrates through the process of photosynthesis. In both cases, this …
Adam Downing
Since 2001 Adam has worked as the Forestry and Natural Resources Extension Agent serving Virginia Cooperative Extension’s Northern District, a 28 county area from the Shenandoah Valley to Northern Virginia to Fredericksburg and Charlottesville. His professional expertise is in providing …
How can I find out the direction of prevailing winds for summer and winter in my area?
The United Stated Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service has a tool for determining local patterns of prevailing winds: http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/climate/windrose.html. Click on the link for ‘Wind Rose Plots.’ Next, select your state, then select the .gif file for …
How close can I plant shrubs to my air conditioning unit?
Close enough for shade, but far enough for free air movement and easy access is the common recommendation. It may be easier to get shade on the AC unit with a tree but if a shrub is choosen, the bigger …
Mary Carol Sheffield
Mary Carol works with University of Georgia Cooperative Extension in Paulding County. She is a County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources, providing education and outreach in a suburban Metro Atlanta area. Mary Carol’s role is to bring research …
What Can I Do to Promote Energy Conservation with Trees in My Community?
The best ways to promote energy conservation with trees in your community are educating others about the benefits of urban trees, advocating for tree planting and protection, and taking action to increase local tree canopy cover.
Although most people can …
Understanding and determining prevailing winds
Prevailing winds are the direction that the wind blows most often in a location. Prevailing winds can change by location and by season making it tricky to determine reliable wind patterns in your area. A person might be interested in …