Ecophysiological model of net primary production of woody species and estimation of their climatic ranges

In this paper, an ecophysiological model for computation of net primary production (NPP) of woody species, which uses daily hydrometeorological data (minimum and maximum surface air temperatures and total precipitation) and some other environmental characteristics, is proposed. For several woody species (pine, spruce, birch, and larch), the model parameters and the threshold NPP values (i.e., the minimum values when existing of those species is possible) were estimated. Testing computations of their potential areals (climatic ranges-geographical areas where the NPP estimates based on the 20th century climate data exceed the threshold values) performed for the former USSR countries cohere with actual areals satisfactorily.     

The earthquake spectral anomaly estimate by the MLH to mB relation and its possible application to earthquake prediction

This paper presents a method of estimating a spectral anomaly based on the relation of medium- and short-period magnitudes. The method has been applied to the analysis of the temporal anomaly trend in the Kurile Kamchatka zone in which four large earthquakes were developing. Moderately well-expressed anomalies with duration and lead time of about a year have been found in all four cases.     

Empirical model of the OI 630 nm emission variations. 3. Emitting layer height

The empirical model of variations in the emitting layer height and parameters has been developed based on an analysis of the rocket measurements of the vertical distributions in the 630 nm intensity. The dependences on the solar zenith angle during a day are most substantial. This dependence is responsible for the character of seasonal variations at different latitudes. The height of the emitting layer increases with increasing solar activity, reflecting a temperature rise in the upper atmosphere. The negative trend—0.35 km yr^?1 in the interval 1964–1990—has been revealed.     

Empirical model of variations in the emission of the molecular oxygen atmospheric system. 1. Intensity

The data on regular variations in the emission intensity of the molecular oxygen Atmospheric system excited in the region of the lower thermosphere have been systematized based on the long-term studies. The empirical approximations of the emission behavior are presented.     

Applying Dalton’s law of potential evaporation rate over the territory of Russia and neighboring countries using long-term observation data

Parameters of the relationship between wind speed W and conductance G, used in Dalton’s law for potential evaporation rate, were estimated from the long-term field monitoring data on potential evaporation at 81 stations of the State Hydrological Institute. Linear dependence onWwas assumed, that is, G(W) = g ₁ + g ₂ W. The estimation yielded g ₁ = 165.2 and g ₂ = 99.9. These parameters were employed for computation of potential evaporation rate from routine meteorological data for locations of 2460 meteorological stations of the former USSR territory. The computed estimates were then compared with some published calculated values and with the data of direct potential evaporation rate measurements at 254 geographical points. The comparison yielded satisfactory results.     

Estimate of seasonal changes in the intensity of the infrared atmospheric system of molecular oxygen

On the basis of measurements of the intensity of 1.58-μm emissions of the Infrared Atmospheric System of molecular oxygen (IRAO₂) conducted at the Zvenigorod scientific station of the Institute of Atmospheric Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences (φ = 55.7°N, λ = 36.8°E), seasonal variations are estimated for various solar zenith angles. Their amplitude has the maximum value at the solar zenith angles χ _S ∼ 105–110°. It decreases at χ _S ∼ 125–130° and tends to zero at χ _S ∼ 80–85°. The comparison of currently measured values of the 1.58-μm emission intensity of the Infrared Atmospheric System of molecular oxygen with published data on the intensity of this emission obtained in 1961–1966 reveals their decrease over approximately 50 years. This fact is in good agreement with similar behavior of the emission intensity of atomic oxygen (557.7 nm) over the period considered.     

Growth Rate of Carbon Dioxide Concentration in the Atmospheric Surface Layer in the Late 20th Century and Early 21st Century

The rate of variations in the CO2 concentration in the atmospheric surface layer at different geographic locations in the late 20th century and early 21st century is considered. The series of monthly mean concentration at the GAW (Global Atmosphere Watch) monitoring stations are used. The average rates of CO2 concentration growth and their standard deviations are estimated for 64 stations for the above two time periods. It is shown that the growth rate insignificantly varies with latitude during the analyzed periods. However, the growth rate for almost every station in the second period substantially exceeds the value for the first period. Thus, there is a worldwide acceleration in the CO2 concentration growth despite the international efforts on the reduction of global anthropogenic emissions.