Radiation Modelling Amount of radiation critical for plants and animals: (1)Affects photosynthesis primary productivity (2)Thermal regime air and soil temperature (3) Controls evaporation rate soil moisture Evaporation liquid water water vapour requires energy round atmosphere Energy comes from solar radiation Hence, people record aspect as an index of how exposed/sheltered a site is, as shaded sites are cooler and moisterRadiation Modelling • Amount of radiation critical for plants and animals: (1) Affects photosynthesis primary productivity (2) Thermal regime air and soil temperature (3) Controls evaporation rate soil moisture - Evaporation liquid water water vapour requires energy ground atmosphere - Energy comes from solar radiation Hence, people record aspect as an index of how exposed/sheltered a site is, as shaded sites are cooler and moister