Impact of surface cover and surrounding area on microclimate of urban wetland park, Nugegoda

Abstract

Urban Wetland Park at Nugegoda was examined under this study. The work investigated three objectives. Effectiveness of different ground surface finishes to the microclimate (positively or negatively), wind pattern (wind directions and wind velocity) of the selected area to find out the effectiveness of wind pattern to the microclimate and the effectiveness of surrounding area over the wetland park, considering the build mass, traffic struck area and the water body. Temperature and relative humidity were obtained using HOBO data logger. Wind velocity was measured by anemometer and wind direction was measured using compass. The work observed an increase of air temperature in the investigated park by 5.34 0C above corresponding ambient air temperature. The heat which was generated in built mass, came attached to the air flow and it caused a rise in the temperature of park. Zone 01 and zone 02 records 2.5 0C higher temperature than zone 03. Zone 01 and 02 are directly exposed to the build mass, but in-between zone 03 and road area has a vegetated land. This vegetated land has caused a temperature drop in zone 03. The work highlights the significance of vegetated land as a buffer zone for negative effect from built mass. Surface cover is a significant factor which determines the deviation of temperature within a park.