Meteorlogical impact of replacing native perennial vegetation with annual agricultural species

Xinmei, H., Lyons, T.J. and Smith, R.C.G. (1995) Meteorlogical impact of replacing native perennial vegetation with annual agricultural species. Hydrological Processes, 9 (5-6). pp. 645-654.

Abstract

Following the clearing of native perennial vegetation for agriculture based on winter growing annual species, the surface characteristics of south-western Australia have been significantly altered. Analysis of the annual variation of these characteristics based on satellite data and a one-dimensional boundary layer model suggests that convective mixing over the cleared land is no longer able to reach the lifting condensation level for a significant period of the year. This implies a decrease in convective cloud formation and a reduction in the convective enhancement of rainfall.