On the interactions between clouds, radiation, turbulence and vegetation in the atmospheric boundary layer

This thesis explores and quantifies how the surface and vegetation, through photosynthesis, and clouds through light and dynamics, impact each other. These interactions are very relevant for the amount of temperature, humidity and other properties of the lower atmosphere and, as a consequence, of the weather we experience. A very detailed model simulating the air flow in the atmosphere is used. We investigate the interactions and responses in matters of seconds and within meters through idealized studies. We do so at three different locations in the world with differing climates, clouds and vegetation: Netherlands in the mid-latitudes, Benin in Southern West Africa and the Amazonas rainforest in Brazil. We find that when these interactions are taken into account new features arise in the spatial structure and properties of the surface and lower atmosphere.