A simple worst case analysis for estimation of correct scanning rate in a micrometeorological experiment

After a review of confusing literature debates, a simple way is demonstrated to estimate influence of sample frequency on means of scanned meteorological variables in a field of maize. For a high time-constant thermometer the influence of high scanning rates is demonstrated to be low in relation to chosen approximations of the true mean by a lower scanning rate. For a very low time-constant thermocouple psychrometer and a low time-constant air movement meter the influence of several lower scanning rates is demonstrated to be low in comparison with a chosen approximation of the true mean by a relatively high scanning rate. As no Fourier analysis is applied in this simple method, definite assessment of aliasing errors is in theory only approximated, although other results point into the direction that such an analysis would not change much the error examples given. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)