Extended Abstract (744K)9A.5
Interface modeling for predicting atmospheric transport of biota
Gary L. Achtemeier, USDA Forest Service, Athens, GA
Aerobiology is a multi-disciplinary field that brings together biologists, meteorologists, agronomists, specialists in remote sensing, geographers, and many other disciplines. Gaining an understanding of the interaction between biological organisms and the environment requires communication between researchers from the various disciplines. With regards to atmospheric transport of biota, the lack of communication between biologists and meteorologists can lead to an absence of data of the kind that can link the two disciplines.
This paper describes a conceptual model that connects biota flight behavior with meteorological data generated from numerical weather prediction models. The conceptual model is demonstrated with an example of insect layering in a stratified atmosphere. The results are realistic in comparison with radar observations of insect layering but the real significance of the modeling approach is that it defines the kinds of data biologists need to generate in order to link with the meteorology of atmospheric transport.
Session 9A, Aerobiology: General
Wednesday, 30 October 2002, 1:00 PM-2:30 PM
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