Chaiyanan Kamlangkla. The impact of urbanization on near surface air temperature trends in Thailand. Master's Degree(Livable City Management and Environmental Sustainability). Mahidol University. Mahidol University Library and Knowledge Center. : Mahidol University, 2019.
The impact of urbanization on near surface air temperature trends in Thailand
Abstract:
The changing trend of near surface air temperature in Thailand over 40-year period (1970-2009) has increased. However, some weather observation stations located near or in urbanization was influenced by the urban heat island effect. This local non-climate factor should be taken into account as a common cause of rising near surface air temperature in addition to global warming. The objective of this research is to differentiate the influences of global warming and urbanization on the changing trend of near surface air temperature in Thailand by using the monthly air temperature data for 46-year (1970-1915) from 69 meteorological stations. The research methodology consisted of data quality control with testing and rectifying by homogeneity check, linear trend analysis, urbanization classification i.e. urban, suburban, and rural area using land use data, and proportional impacts of global warming and urbanization on near surface air temperature trends. The results showed that the minimum, maximum and average of near surface air temperature from meteorological stations located in urban areas (n = 29), suburban areas (n = 29), and rural areas (n = 27) tended to increase significantly (p <0.05) at 1.71, 1.53, and 1.70; 1.40, 1.46, and 1.34; 0.81,0.82, and 0.79°C per 46 years, respectively. The increasing of near surface air temperature from the meteorological stations located in urban and suburban areas was influenced by urbanization at 45.46-48.30 % when compared to meteorological stations located in rural area. The results indicated that the increasing trend of near surface air temperature was positively correlated with the percentage of urban growth. Therefore, the mitigation of increasing air temperature could be implemented by managing local non-climate factors and implementing the urban environmental management measures such as reducing energy consumption in transportation and residential sectors, and increasing green spaces.