About the project
Edge effects are widely studied for their impact on biodiversity, but less on their influence on the microclimate. If a consistent network of strips of tall-grasses (e.g. miscanthus) is implemented, the microclimate will be altered at the landscape level. Probable advantages would be a better conservation of moisture, protection of the culture from weather extremes. To tackle such complexe system, we need composite simulations that combine turbulent simulations with heat fluxes, so as to resolve evapotranspiration. We aim to plant on our farm in 2023 strips of miscanthus, that would provide by 2025 an experimental setup to calibrate the simulations. Other experimental setups could be made of strip cropping with strips of tall cultures such as maize, hemp or rye, with lower intercropped cultures. These simulations would allow us to extrapolate the new knowledge to other agrosystems, and to engineer quick adaptations to the evolving climate and its extremes.
Project idea owner
Partners we are looking for
1) experimental research tools : 3D the wind mapping, remote sensing for evapotranspiration
2) research farms or farmers thats have implemented simplified windbreak networks
3) research teams that can design composite simulations that combine aerodynamics of vegetated lanscapes and thermal balances