Relationship between sensible heat flux and landcover pattern in an urban area

Taking Xiamen city as the study area, this research retrieved sensible heat flux by using meteorological data and Landsat 5 TM images of the four seasons in 2009. Meanwhile the 65 different landscape metrics of each analysis unit were acquired by landscape analysis method. Then the most effective landscape metrics, which could affect sensible heat flux, were determined by correlation analysis, partial correlation analysis, etc. The results showed that the spatial composition of land cover pattern has significant effect on sensible heat flux. The proportion of forest land is the most important factor which affects and explains the cross-seasonal differences of sensible heat flux. But the spatial allocation of land cover pattern has no significant influence on sensible heat flux. This study is helpful in exploring the formation and evolution mechanism of urban heat island. It also has both theoretical meaning and applicable value for urban planning and administration.