Surface energy exchanges over contrasting vegetation types on a sub-tropical sand island

Energy fluxes responded to seasonal changes in background meteorology with the most important influences being net radiation and the surface layer temperature gradient, with the soil temperature-ambient temperature gradient, ground temperature, and vapour pressure deficit also important. Sites differed according to soil water content, with the remnant palustrine wetland and swamp having ready access to water but the exotic pine plantation having much drier soils. We conclude that should the current balance between vegetation types change, there would be a corresponding shift in the overall surface energy balance of the island, affecting its micrometeorology, and water table depth.