Next consider heat exchange due to sensible heat flux, including convection, which is related to the roughness of the surface. A dryland (nonirrigated) crop has approximately three times greater surface roughness than short-grass steppe. Which surface would have greater heat loss due to convection, assuming that surface temperatures are warmer than the atmosphere: a cropland or short-grass steppe

short-grass steppe

Explanation:

As stated in the text above, a dry land (non-irrigated) crop has approximately three times greater surface roughness than the short grass steppe. Soils with greater roughness, has a great capacity to retain water not drained. This is because the aggregates of this soil are able to behave as small reservoirs, which stabilize the temperature of the soil's surface, leaving it closer to the surface of the atmosphere. This means that in this type of soil, the heat loss by convection is much less than in a short-grass steppe soil.