covariance
/koʊˈvɛəriəns/
Definition
A statistical measure representing the degree to which two variables change together, used in atmospheric science to analyze the simultaneous fluctuations of vertical wind speed and carbon concentration.
Etymology
Derived from the Latin 'co-' meaning 'together' and 'variantia' from 'variare' meaning 'to change.' It entered scientific terminology to describe how two distinct sets of data vary in relation to one another.
In the news
In the article, eddy-covariance is described as a critical technique for measuring the exchange of carbon between the land and the atmosphere. It allows researchers to quantify how carbon dioxide moves by observing the correlation between wind movement and gas concentration.
Summer training helps student sharpen climate change research goals
Read the full article ↗The Pennsylvania State University