Characteristics of thermal effects and seasonal variation on different thermal active surfaces of canopy gaps in tropical seasonal rain forest

Based on the analyses of daytime thermal effects of different thermal active surfaces in canopy gaps in tropical seasonal rain forest in the cool fog and hot wet season in Xishuangbanna, the thermal characteristics of different thermal active surfaces in canopy gaps are described. The finding showed that: The thermal effect of vertical thermal active surfaces is not negligent, not only in the cool fog season, but also in the hot wet season. Moreover, influenced by the height of trees that form the edge of the gap, the height of maximum area of thermal effect of vertical thermal active surfaces at the east and north edge of gaps in tropical seasonal rain forest was higher than that in secondary forest, but the intensity of thermal effects was weaker, compared to secondary forest. This indicates that, besides solar angle, time and intensity of radiation, the height of trees is also an important factor that influences thermal effects of vertical thermal active surface of edges. The results supply a research basis for understanding microclimatic formation of canopy gaps, for studying forest succession and effects of forest biodiversity.