Experiments allow scientists to gather vital data to show how changes in large scale land use could actually stimulate rain clouds.So far the tests have revealed remarkable pictures of blue sky over cleared farmlands on one side of the rabbit proof fence while on the other convective cloud formed over native bushland.
“The native plants are darker and have their stomata closed so more energy goes in but they don’t evaporate as much water,” Professor Lyons said. The increased turbulence above the native vegetation also means there’s sufficient convection to lift the moisture high enough to form clouds. Professor Lyons said one way to bring clouds back over the agricultural land could be to plant native vegetation over large areas around farmlands. Labels: climate change, solutions |