User:Kroberts73/sandbox

Article Evaluation
The article on Oasis Effect on Wikipedia is a good start. However, when I read it, I do not feel like I have come away with a new understanding. Honestly, I am probably more confused because it was not explained. Basically, the definition is given. Now the good thing is there is nothing wrong or off-topic on this article. Therefore, no one is being misinformed, but no one is being informed either. The article is obviously missing many ideas and explanation. Right now, it is only three sentences that are chopped full of scientific jargon. Also, there are no pictures or diagrams that could help explain or present information in a new light. A lot of information needs to be added but at least the article is going in the right direction.

Overall, the article is presented in a neutral tone (not enough content to really make an argument). However, everything is underrepresented. There is just not enough information to really explore the topic.

Both citations, deal with the subject matter and support what the author has written. However, the author has closely paraphrased to the first source which is not good. overall, the article just gives the definition of the topic without really going into detail or significance. The first source is unbiased since it literally the definition of the oasis effect. The second one seems unbiased as well.

As for the talk page, from what I can see, there has been no chatter between wiki authors, but it is heavily involved in Wiki Projects. It is under Wiki Project Environment/ Climate Change, Meteorology, and Urban studies and planning.

Lead Section
The oasis effect explains the local cooling due to evaporation or evapotranspiration of a water source or plant life in an otherwise dry area.

Since it depends on forms of evaporation, the oasis effect has different impacts on the surrounding environment depending on the season such as summer and winter. The oasis effect gets its name from the same process that occurs in an oasis. However, the oasis effect does not just affect oases in the desert. It also plays a part in urban planning because manipulation of a city's layout can help create an oasis effect. Understanding the oasis effect can help urban planners to combat phenomena like the urban heat island effect.

Causes
The oasis effect occurs because of several factors. First, an oasis has plant life which provides coverage for the ground. This coverage means that direct sunlight cannot directly reach the ground. Less sunlight means lower temperatures for the land. Lower land temperatures result in lower temperatures for the air which results in cooler climates. An oasis also contains moisture whether from a water source and/or plants. Where there is water then evaporation occurs. Evaporation is a endothermic reaction which means that it takes heat from the surroundings to convert liquid to gas. Evaporation takes heat away from the oasis cooling it down. The oasis effect occurs most prominently during the summertime because evaporation occurs more rapidly during this warmer period. A similar process is how sweat evaporates off the skin making a person feel cooler.

Winter Effects
In the winter, the oasis effect operates differently. Instead of making the oasis cooler, at night the oasis effect makes it warmer. This occurs through the fact that trees block heat from leaving the land. Basically, radiation cannot be emitted back into the atmosphere because the trees intercept and absorb it.

Urban Planning
The oasis effect plays a role in urban development. The oasis effect states that areas, especially cities with plants and bodies of water, will be cooler than surrounding areas. Accordingly, cities with parks will have lower temperatures. The reason behind this is because plants have a higher albedo than just bare ground or roads. Areas with higher albedo reflect more light than they absorb.

Normally, cities are hotter than their suburbs due to dense population, dark buildings and roads, and pollution. This is shown through the urban heat island effect. However, by manipulation of trees, parks, and overall plant life, cities can create their own oasis effect.

To create an oasis effect in urban areas, many changes will not have to be made. In fact, a scattering of trees can make a difference in local temperatures. By maintaining plant life throughout a city, urban planners can use the oasis effect.

However, some concerns arise within urban areas that have limited water sources. Due to population grown, water becomes more needed, and cities do not want to leave water sources out in the open just to evaporated. Some arid places also do not want to sacrifice water for upkeep of plants.

See Also:

 * Evaporative Cooling