Predicting the limits of the oasis effect as a cooling phenomenon in hot deserts

Abstract

The water, a built environment, and a palm grove are an impressive trilogy making up the formidable oasis, rendering it strong enough to survive the harsh desert climate. Furthermore, the interaction between them creates several natural and physical phenomena. This research discusses the oasis effect, one of the most significant phenomena in the oasis ecosystem; this effect has been treated as a cooling phenomenon in theories and mathematical models. Therefore, we aimed to examine the impact and limits of this phenomenon in regard to the microclimate of oases through digital simulation, using the SPUCAL_oec software (Simulation Platform of Urban Climate in Arid Lands _ Oases Effect Calculator).  Based on an innovative mathematical model, we developed SPUCAL_oec as an innovative vision for this green phenomenon, programmed to predict, calculate, and simulate the behavior and limits of the palm grove on the oasis microclimate. Finally, the results of SPUCAL_oec model showed that the oasis effect impacted the oasis microclimate owing to the existence of the palm grove. This effect could be as large as 6°C of temperature decrease and 12% increase in relative humidity. Furthermore, the SPUCAL software can aid designers and planners in making decisions regarding their design process.