Seasonal Albedo Variation of Black Spruce and Sphagnum-Sedge Bog Cover Types

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Albedo measurements were made over two northern Minnesota bog cover types. Two Kipp and Zonen pyranometers were cycled over black spruce [Pica mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.] and sphagnum-sedge bog canopies within a one year period. During the snow-free seasonal periods black spruce had a 6–8% albedo and did not exhibit a response to new shoot growth and maturation. Albedo increased to 8.2% with an 80% bog surface snow cover in late November while a 100% bog surface snow cover increased the albedo to 10.5% in February–March. The sphagnum-sedge bog exhibited an increase from 11.6% in April–May to 16.1% in June with a gradual decline to 13.5% in October–November. A 50–60% old snow cover increased the November–December albedo to 35.1% while the albedo of a fresh continuous snow cover in February–March was 81.7%. The effect of cloud cover on the albedo was negligible. Abstract Albedo measurements were made over two northern Minnesota bog cover types. Two Kipp and Zonen pyranometers were cycled over black spruce [Pica mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.] and sphagnum-sedge bog canopies within a one year period. During the snow-free seasonal periods black spruce had a 6–8% albedo and did not exhibit a response to new shoot growth and maturation. Albedo increased to 8.2% with an 80% bog surface snow cover in late November while a 100% bog surface snow cover increased the albedo to 10.5% in February–March. The sphagnum-sedge bog exhibited an increase from 11.6% in April–May to 16.1% in June with a gradual decline to 13.5% in October–November. A 50–60% old snow cover increased the November–December albedo to 35.1% while the albedo of a fresh continuous snow cover in February–March was 81.7%. The effect of cloud cover on the albedo was negligible.