I was surprised to see this article in the FloridAgriculture magazine.
What the Florida scientists have discovered is apparently a regional phenomenon. Examinations of temperature data from stations in Georgia and Alabama have revealed the same distinction between rural and urban areas.To those who read Dr. Roger Pielke, Sr.'s blog, Climate Science [unfortunately no longer active], this might be familiar information. It should be gratifying to him that more people are beginning to understand the correlation of land use changes to regional climate changes... a correlation that is far stronger than CO2 to climate change in general.
The one exception to this regional pattern appears in the Everglades Agricultural Area. There, draining of land over the past century left dry, black soil that absorbs much more heat than the rest of Florida’s farm acreage.
James W. Jones, also a scientist in the Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department, said, “Any of the places that have pastures or forests or citrus trees would certainly help to prevent temperature increase from occurring, relative to cities. The greenery and the fact that plants are using water prevent the soil from absorbing as much heat.”
More information about climate change and temperature variability is available at the COAPS Internet address (http://www.coaps.fsu.edu) as well as the Southeast Climate Consortium’s Internet address.
While Florida scientists may think they discovered this regional phenomenon, they are only confirming earlier work...