7.20 Describing Climate7.20 Describing Climate

ONScience 10ONScience 10

Quantitative Graphs and Comparative Quantitative Graphs and Comparative Zone SystemsZone Systems

Climatographs, Climate Zones, Climatographs, Climate Zones, Ecoregions, Bioclimatic ProfilesEcoregions, Bioclimatic Profiles

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ClimatographsClimatographs Provide a Provide a

quantitative quantitative breakdown of breakdown of temperature and temperature and precipitationprecipitation

Shows fluctuation Shows fluctuation seasonallyseasonally

ClimatographsClimatographs

Constructing ClimatographsConstructing Climatographs

the letters along the bottom of the graphs identify the months of the letters along the bottom of the graphs identify the months of the year starting with "J" for January the year starting with "J" for January

plot the dot in the middle of the bar for all months then join with plot the dot in the middle of the bar for all months then join with a smooth curving line to indicate the temperature conditions a smooth curving line to indicate the temperature conditions (the scale is given at the left in Celcius)(the scale is given at the left in Celcius)– Convention: when using colour this line is usually 'red' Convention: when using colour this line is usually 'red'

twelve vertical bars which indicate the average monthly amount twelve vertical bars which indicate the average monthly amount of precipitation. Use the millimetre (mm) scale to the right to of precipitation. Use the millimetre (mm) scale to the right to measure the amounts-measure the amounts-– Convention: when using colour the bars are usually coloured in 'blue'Convention: when using colour the bars are usually coloured in 'blue'

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Climate ZonesClimate Zones Russian Scientist Vladimir Köppen Russian Scientist Vladimir Köppen In 1884, he published the first In 1884, he published the first

version of his map of climatic zonesversion of his map of climatic zonesin which the seasonal temperature ranges in which the seasonal temperature ranges were plotted.were plotted.

Köppen’s work was published as the Köppen climate Köppen’s work was published as the Köppen climate classification system around 1900, and was modified several classification system around 1900, and was modified several times until 1936.times until 1936.

The Köppen system of classification is based on The Köppen system of classification is based on – temperaturetemperature– precipitationprecipitation– plant communitiesplant communities

Several other scientists have added to Köppen's work and have Several other scientists have added to Köppen's work and have “cloned” his system, i.e.: Trewartha climate classification “cloned” his system, i.e.: Trewartha climate classification

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55Source: http://wpcontent.answers.com/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/32/World_Koppen_Map.png/400px-World_Koppen_Map.png

KöppenKöppen Classification System Classification System

Köppen Climate ZonesKöppen Climate Zones The Köppen system recognizes five major The Köppen system recognizes five major

climatic types; each type is designated by a climatic types; each type is designated by a capital letter.capital letter.

A A - Tropical Moist Climates: all months have average temperatures above - Tropical Moist Climates: all months have average temperatures above 18° Celsius.18° Celsius.

BB - Dry Climates: with deficient precipitation during most of the year. - Dry Climates: with deficient precipitation during most of the year. – Two “B” subgroups, Two “B” subgroups, SS - semiarid or steppe, and - semiarid or steppe, and WW - arid or desert - arid or desert

CC - Moist Mid-latitude Climates with Mild Winters. - Moist Mid-latitude Climates with Mild Winters. DD - Moist Mid-Latitude Climates with Cold Winters. - Moist Mid-Latitude Climates with Cold Winters. EE - Polar Climates: with extremely cold winters and summers. - Polar Climates: with extremely cold winters and summers.

– Two subgroups, Two subgroups, TT – tundra, and – tundra, and EE - icecap. - icecap.

Canada has Canada has nono type A regions type A regions66

Köppen Climate ZonesKöppen Climate Zones Further subgroups are designated by a Further subgroups are designated by a

second, lower case letter which distinguish second, lower case letter which distinguish specific seasonal characteristics of specific seasonal characteristics of temperature and precipitation.temperature and precipitation.

ff - Moist with adequate precipitation in all - Moist with adequate precipitation in all months and no dry season. This letter months and no dry season. This letter usually accompanies the usually accompanies the AA, , CC, and , and DD climates. climates.

mm - Rainforest climate in spite of short, dry - Rainforest climate in spite of short, dry season in monsoon type cycle. This letter season in monsoon type cycle. This letter only applies to only applies to AA climates. climates.

s s - There is a dry season in the summer of - There is a dry season in the summer of the respective hemisphere (high-sun the respective hemisphere (high-sun season).season).

ww - There is a dry season in the winter of - There is a dry season in the winter of the respective hemisphere (low-sun the respective hemisphere (low-sun season).season).

To further denote variations in climate, a third To further denote variations in climate, a third letter was added to the code.letter was added to the code.

aa - Hot summers where the warmest month is - Hot summers where the warmest month is 22°C or greater. These can be found in 22°C or greater. These can be found in CC and and DD climates. climates.

b b - Warm summer with the warmest month - Warm summer with the warmest month below 22°C. These can also be found in below 22°C. These can also be found in CC and and DD climates. climates.

cc - Cool, short summers with less than four - Cool, short summers with less than four months over 10°C in the months over 10°C in the CC and and DD climates. climates.

dd - Very cold winters with the coldest month - Very cold winters with the coldest month below -38°C (-36°F) in the below -38°C (-36°F) in the DD climate only. climate only.

hh - Dry-hot with a mean annual temperature - Dry-hot with a mean annual temperature over 18°C in over 18°C in BB climates only. climates only.

kk - Dry-cold with a mean annual temperature - Dry-cold with a mean annual temperature under 18°C in under 18°C in BB climates only. climates only.

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Köppen’s Climatic Map of CanadaKöppen’s Climatic Map of CanadaSource: Government of Canada, Natural Resources CanadaSource: Government of Canada, Natural Resources Canada

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BSk

ET EF

Dfc

Dfa

Cfb

Csb

Dfb

Other ClassificationsOther Classifications

Several other classification systems exist for Several other classification systems exist for climate. These include classification by:climate. These include classification by:– EcoregionsEcoregions– BioclimatesBioclimates

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EcoregionsEcoregions Another way to classify a climate zone. Ecoregions focus on Another way to classify a climate zone. Ecoregions focus on

the ecology of a region. This classification looks at:the ecology of a region. This classification looks at:– LandformsLandforms– SoilSoil– PlantsPlants– AnimalsAnimals– ClimateClimate

There are 867 global EcoregionsThere are 867 global Ecoregions Complete classifications is done by:Complete classifications is done by:

– Zones Zones – ProvincesProvinces– RegionsRegions– DistrictsDistricts

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Example of ClassificationEcozone 15 top of hierarchy- sub-continental scale. Large and generalized

ecological units characterized by interactive and adjusting abiotic and biotic factors.

Ecoprovince 53

characterized by structural or surface forms, faunal realms, and vegetation, hydrology, soil, and macro climate. eg, Newfoundland ecoprovince (no. 6.4) is one of 6 ecoprovinces in Boreal Shield Ecozone.

Ecoregion 194

characterized by regional factors, including climate, physiography, vegetation, soil, water, and fauna. eg, Maritime Barrens ecoregion (no. 114) is one of 9 ecoregions in Newfoundland ecoprovince. 

Ecodistrict 1021

characterized by assemblages of relief, landforms, geology, soil, vegetation, water bodies and fauna. eg, the Jeddore Lake ecodistrict (no. 473) is one of 5 in Maritime Barrens ecoregion.

Source: http://sis.agr.gc.ca/cansis/nsdb/ecostrat/intro.html

Terrestrial Ecoregions of CanadaTerrestrial Ecoregions of Canada

1212Source: http://atlas.nrcan.gc.ca/site/english/maps/archives/5thedition/environment/ecology/mcr4164/?maxwidth=1600&maxheight=1400&mode=navigator&upperleftx=0&upperlefty=0&lowerrightx=5352&lowerrighty=4704&mag=0.125

1313From - http://www.ec.gc.ca/soer-ree/English/Framework/Nardesc/Canada_e.cfm

Bioclimate ProfilesBioclimate Profiles Series of Graphs which describe only temperature and moisture Series of Graphs which describe only temperature and moisture

conditions for a locationconditions for a location Describe climate conditions and predict possible changes over Describe climate conditions and predict possible changes over

next 40-80 years. next 40-80 years.

1414Source: http://www.utoronto.ca/imap/

1515From - http://www.dbs-sar.com/images/World_ecoregion.bmp

1616From -http://assets.panda.org/img/ecoregions_232886.jpg

1717From - http://www.on.ec.gc.ca/wildlife/wildspace/wsimages/ws-map-ontforest.gif

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EcoregionsEcoregions Also consider landforms, plants, soil type and Also consider landforms, plants, soil type and

animals animals 867 global Ecoregions867 global Ecoregions SUBDIVIDEDSUBDIVIDED

– Zones, Zones, – Provinces, Provinces, – RegionsRegions– DistrictsDistricts

Source: http://www.fs.fed.us/rm/ecoregions/images/maps/ecoregions-north-america.gif

Methods of describing ClimateMethods of describing Climate

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Bioclimatic ProfilesBioclimatic Profiles Describe only climatic ConditionsDescribe only climatic Conditions Describe climate Describe climate

conditions and predict conditions and predict possible changes over possible changes over next 40-80 years next 40-80 years

From - http://www.planthardiness.gc.ca/images/cfs11x8E.jpg

Methods of describing ClimateMethods of describing Climate