Welcome to the “Surface-Atmosphere Interactions Laboratory” (SAIL), part of the Department of Geography at National Taiwan University. Our laboratory is dedicated to advancing the scientific understanding of the complex processes that govern interactions between the land surface and the atmosphere. Our current research primarily focuses on quantifying and characterizing these interactions across a range of spatial and temporal scales, from the micro-scale level to broader regional contexts. By integrating field observations, remote sensing, and modeling approaches, we seek to uncover the underlying mechanisms that drive these surface-atmosphere exchanges and their implications for environmental change.

Specifically, our research encompasses two main categories of inquiry:

First, we aim to quantify the fluxes that traverse the interface between the terrestrial biosphere — including various vegetation types such as forests, wetlands, and agricultural fields — and the near-surface atmospheric boundary layer. This work seeks to improve our understanding of the dynamic exchanges of energy, water, and carbon between the land and atmosphere. Furthermore, our investigations extend to examining how these ecosystems or vegetation types respond to environmental changes across a range of temporal and spatial scales, thereby contributing to a more nuanced understanding of ecosystem-atmosphere interactions.

Second, we explore how changes in land use and land cover alter the microenvironment and, in turn, impact regional climate dynamics. This includes investigating the influence of the built environment on local microclimates, with a specific focus on how urbanization affects thermal comfort and thermal stress in human populations. Additionally, we analyze the role of land cover changes in the modulation of regional convective rainfall events, aiming to deepen our understanding of how land use transformations influence hydrometeorological processes and regional precipitation patterns.

Through these research endeavors, we strive to advance scientific knowledge in the field of surface-atmosphere interactions, contributing to more sustainable land use and climate adaptation strategies.