Explaining the principles of microclimatology and illustrating how they apply to a wide array of subfields, this book provides a clear and vivid description of the surface microclimate, its physical basis and its interactions with the biosphere. This edition has been revised to keep abreast of current research in microclimatology, to provide more examples of work from North America and to more clearly illustrate how surface energy fluxes are linked to the nature of the surface environment. The authors have added discussions dealing with the speed of sound, the use of vegetative barriers to reduce sound and physiological control of energy and moisture exchanges. They have also expanded the discussion of microclimactic effects on animal and human behaviour and dwellings.