The Vertical Extent of the Influence of the Land Surface Boundary on the Atmosphere Above

Heterogeneities in the land surface type on scales smaller than the typical General Circulation Model (GMC) grid size have long presented a challenge to properly modelling the impact of the subgrid scale variability on the grid scale. In particular, at some height above the heterogeneous vegetated surface the atmospheric properties (temperature, humidity, for example) become homogenized. This is an issue with implications for climate modelling as well as for the optimal use of field data for climate studies. There is evidence that the influence of the soil and/or vegetation properties extends well beyond the atmospheric surface layer. The present study is aimed at understanding the implications of this influence for a GCM's description of the coupling at the earth-atmosphere interface.