Main subject area: Environmental remote sensing: Hydrology
The national-scale maximum temperature in Denmark of 36.4 °C was measured in Holstebro in August 1975. This contradicts the climate change-observed rise in maximum and mean daily temperatures in the summer seen in many regions, such as Germany, where maximum temperatures are steadily reached over time, the last record maximum being 42.6 °C in 2019. 1970s are the years of irrigation deployment in Denmark, reaching the maximum area equipped for irrigation by the end of the 1980s. Irrigation is known to reduce regional temperatures due to the evapotranspirative cooling. That is to say, the water flux evaporated or transpired from cropland reduces the increase in amount of solar radiation absorbed by the surface (warming).
In this project we will investigate the long-term (as long as possible) dynamics of the radiative forcings (temperature, humidity, albedo) and energy fluxes (evapotranspiration) over Denmark to reveal whether and how their changes exert feedbacks on the regional climate. All data are freely available from both national climate centers (e.g., DMI, but also GCMs) and satellite imagery. We will also ask Landbrugstyrelsen for data on area equipped with irrigation over time.
Any time
AU-Viborg, Blichers Alle 20, 8830 Tjele
60 ECTS: Experimental theses in which the student is responsible for planning, trial design and collection and analysis of his/her own original data
It is advantegous if the candidate is familiar with basic programming (E.g, R, Matlab, Phyton, or alike). Also, basic knowledge in the water cycle and the energy balance is advangegous but bot a requirement. Must-read article Thiery et al. (2020; https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-019-14075-4).
