Analysis of photosynthetically active radiation under various sky conditions in Wuhan, Central China

Observations of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and global solar radiation (G) at Wuhan, Central China during 2005–2012 were first reported to investigate PAR variability at different time scales and its PAR fraction (Fp) under different sky conditions. Both G irradiances (Ig) and PAR irradiances (Ip) showed similar seasonal features that peaked in values at noon during summer and reached their lower values in winter. Fp reached higher values during either sunrise or sunset; lower values of Fp appeared at local noon because of the absorption effects of water vapor and clouds on long-wave radiation. There was an inverse relationship between clearness index (Kt) and Fp; the maximum Ip decreased by 22.3 % (39.7 %) when sky conditions changed from overcast to cloudless in summer (winter); solar radiation was more affected by cloudiness than the seasonal variation in cloudy skies when compared with that in clear skies. The maximum daily PAR irradiation (Rp) was 11.89 MJ m−2 day−1 with an annual average of 4.85 MJ m−2 day−1. Fp was in the range of 29–61.5 % with annual daily average value being about 42 %. Meanwhile, hourly, daily, and monthly relationships between Rp and G irradiation (Rg) under different sky conditions were investigated. It was discovered that cloudy skies were the dominated sky condition in this region. Finally, a clear-sky PAR model was developed by analyzing the dependence of PAR irradiances on optical air mass under various sky conditions for the whole study period in Central China, which will lay foundations for ecological process study in the near future.