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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 10, 2026

Determination of Aggregate Surface Morphology at the Interfacial Transition Zone ITZ
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Estimating and Evaluating Roughness Length and Displacement Height in Heterogeneous Urban Environments.

Jason P Horne1, Ying Pan1, Kenneth J Davis1

  • 1Department of Meteorology and Atmospheric Science, University Park, PA USA.

Boundary-Layer Meteorology
|April 9, 2026
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Estimates for roughness length and displacement height vary by method, with anemometric approaches yielding non-physical results. Surface-layer similarity theory shows biases in urban areas, particularly under near-neutral and stable conditions.

Keywords:
Aerodynamic roughness lengthAnemometric methodsDisplacement heightMorphometric methodsUrban micrometeorology

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Area of Science:

  • Atmospheric Science
  • Environmental Science
  • Geophysics

Background:

  • Roughness length (z0) and displacement height (zd) are critical surface-layer parameters for numerical models.
  • Accurate estimation of these parameters is vital for improving predictions in weather, climate, and urban atmospheric studies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the consistency of roughness length (z0) and displacement height (zd) estimates using morphometric and anemometric methods.
  • To assess the performance of surface-layer similarity theory in urban environments using these estimates.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from two eddy-covariance flux towers in Indianapolis, IN (AmeriFlux US-INg and US-INc).
  • Compared morphometric (geometric) and anemometric (wind-based) methods for estimating z0 and zd.
  • Applied surface-layer similarity theory to predict mean wind speed and compared with observations.

Main Results:

  • Significant inconsistencies were found between morphometric and anemometric estimates of z0 and zd.
  • Anemometric methods produced non-physical zd values relative to observed roughness elements.
  • Surface-layer similarity theory, using morphometric estimates, exhibited biases in mean wind speed predictions, especially under near-neutral and stable conditions.
  • The differentiation between vegetation and built structures impacted morphometric estimates but did not fully correct similarity theory biases.

Conclusions:

  • Existing surface-layer similarity theories have limitations in urban environments, particularly under near-neutral stability.
  • Morphometric estimates may underestimate integral velocity and length scales, with the degree of underestimation dependent on atmospheric stability.
  • Accounting for turbulence anisotropy improved similarity theory predictions during unstable conditions but not in near-neutral cases, highlighting the need for further research.