Exploring seasonal diurnal surface temperature variation in cities based on ECOSTRESS data: A local climate zone perspective

Zhipeng Shi; Jun Yang; Ling-En Wang; Fang Lv; Guiyang Wang; Xiangming Xiao; Jianhong Xia

doi:10.3389/fpubh.2022.1001344

Exploring seasonal diurnal surface temperature variation in cities based on ECOSTRESS data: A local climate zone perspective

Front Public Health. 2022 Sep 6:10:1001344. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1001344. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Zhipeng Shi¹, Jun Yang^{1

2

3}, Ling-En Wang⁴, Fang Lv¹, Guiyang Wang⁵, Xiangming Xiao⁶, Jianhong Xia⁷

Affiliations

¹ Human Settlements Research Center, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, China.
² School of Humanities and Law, Northeastern University, Shenyang, China.
³ Jangho Architecture College, Northeastern University, Shenyang, China.
⁴ Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
⁵ Urban planning, mapping, and geographical information service center of Dalian, Dalian, China.
⁶ Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology, Center for Earth Observation and Modeling, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, United States.
⁷ School of Earth and Planetary Sciences (EPS), Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia.

Abstract

High urban temperatures affect city livability and may be harmful for inhabitants. Analyzing spatial and temporal differences in surface temperature and the thermal impact of urban morphological heterogeneity can promote strategies to improve the insulation of the urban thermal environment. Therefore, we analyzed the diurnal variation of land surface temperature (LST) and seasonal differences in the Fifth Ring Road area of Beijing from the perspective of the Local Climate Zone (LCZ) using latest ECOSTRESS data. We used ECOSTRESS LST data with a resolution of 70 m to accurately interpret the effects of urban morphology on the local climate. The study area was dominated by the LCZ9 type (sparse low-rise buildings) and natural LCZ types, such as LCZA/B (woodland), LCZD (grassland), and LCZG (water body), mainly including park landscapes. There were significant differences in LST observed in different seasons as well as day and night. During daytime, LST was ranked as follows: summer > spring > autumn > winter. During night-time, it was ranked as follows: summer > autumn > spring > winter. All data indicated that the highest and lowest LST was observed in summer and winter, respectively. LST was consistent with LCZ in terms of spatial distribution. Overall, the LST of each LCZ during daytime was higher than that of night-time during different seasons (except winter), and the average LST of each LCZ during the diurnal period in summer was higher than that of other seasons. The LST of each LCZ during daytime in winter was lower than that of the corresponding night-time, which indicates that it is colder in the daytime during winter. The results presented herein can facilitate improved analysis of spatial and temporal differences in surface temperature in urban areas, leading to the development of strategies aimed at improving livability and public health in cities.

Keywords: Beijing; ECOSTRESS data; Local Climate Zone; diurnal variation; land surface temperature; urban morphology.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Cities
Environmental Monitoring* / methods
Seasons
Temperature
Water*

Substances

Water