E-ε modelling of turbulent air flow downwind of a model forest edge

A two-dimensional E-ε model, which included the effects of plant-atmosphere interaction, was used to simulate air flow downwind of forest edges for the purpose of predicting the microclimate in forest openings. A suitable set of wall functions was selected to consider the aerodynamic effects of the ground in the opening. The model with discretization and parameter schemes was validated using a set of data from a wind-tunnel experiment. The simulated wind speed and turbulence kinetic energy closely agreed with the measured values. After validation, the model was used to predict eddy diffusivity in the lee of the forest edge. The modelled spatial distribution of the eddy diffusivity agreed in general with that calculated using wind-tunnel measurements. The usefulness and limitations of the E-ε model are discussed.