Using a zonal atmospheric model to test biogeophysical feedback-caused drought in the subtropical desert
Recent interest in the cause of the sub-Sahara drought has initiated several investigations implying possible anthropogenic origin through increased surface albedo due to reduced plant cover from overgrazing. Results of two integrations of the Zonal Atmospheric Model (ZAM2) are presented, differing only in the prescribed surface albedo for the subtropical land masses of the northern hemisphere. These studies were initiated to determine whether an albedo change alone can bring about such dramatic impacts on local precipitation rates as have been implied. Preliminary results indicate that an albedo change can affect the climate, not just at the latitude of change but also at other latitudes due to various atmospheric feedback mechanisms. (auth)
- Research Organization:
- California Univ., Livermore (USA). Lawrence Livermore Lab.
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48 e
- OSTI ID:
- 5071398
- Report Number(s):
- UCRL-76603; CONF-750619-3
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 56. annual meeting of the American Geophysical Union, Washington, DC, USA, 16 Jun 1975
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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