The physics of atmospheric interaction

This chapter focuses on developing novel instrumentation and experimental methods, and creating new theory and understanding and associated numerical models. It considers activity since the mid-1990s, when the scope of studies diversified to include documentation of and modelling of additional atmospheric exchanges, with particular emphasis on carbon dioxide. The first-named author provides reflections drawn upon experience during a long career dedicated to this branch of hydrology defines what he feels to be some of the major contributions of research of the physics of atmospheric interactions at Wallingford. Throughout the past 50 years Wallingford, has been at the forefront of investigative energy balance, evaporation and latterly carbon dioxide measurements over terrestrial surfaces. The first integrated forest micrometeorology experiment at Thetford provided a blueprint for the forest experiments found in CarboEurope, whereas the intensive measurement programme in Amazonia in 1984 showed that remote and hostile terrains could be successfully investigated.