Lab 6 LAB 6-Climate Key Ideas Climograph Köppen climate system Climate controls

Question

Lab 6 LAB 6-Climate Key Ideas Climograph Köppen climate system Climate controls Descriptive climate names Tundra Desert Humid vs. arid climates Steppe Discussion Climate Classificatien Climate is often defined as the long-term average of weather for a given location. It is typically of data. represented by long-term monthly average values of the two major weather elements, temperature and represent a location's climate, we need long-term averages of mean monthly temperatures and monthly precipitation. Once calculated, these values are typically portrayed on a distinetive graph, called a elimograph. Climographs show average monthly precipitation as a bar graph along the lower part of the vertical axis and mean monthly temperature on the upper part of the vertical axis. Because climate is an average, more places have similar climate than have similar weather Climate classification is basically a generalizing technique. Using long-term averages, all places on the earth's surface can be classified as one of a dozen or so principal climate types. The importance of climate, however, goes beyond classifying locations as belonging to one climate type or another. The spatial distribution of climates helps scientists understand how the atmospheric system works and how the ocean, land, and atmosphere systems interact. Many scientists today are working on the problem of climate prediction for the future. In order to achieve that goal, they must understand the complexities of our present climates. The Kippen System A few climate classification schemes have been developed by geographers over the last 125 years. Köppen 's system of climate classification is the most well-known and most widely used scheme. In developing his scheme, Koppen realized that the types of plants growing in an area strongly reflect the area's climate variables. Using maps of natural vegetation, Köppen helped explain the global spatial organization of climates. A fundamental premise of Köppen's system is that different types of plants have certain critical temperatures. These are: -Tropical plants need a mean monthly temperature of at least 644°F (SO in order to reproduce 644T Many plants need a mean monthly temperature of at least 50°F (10°C) in order to germinate. S0°F 71.6 F Some plants require a mean monthly temperature of at least 71.6 F (22 C in order to 32F Vegetation becomes dormant when water freezes (0°C) reproduce 49 GEO 121 D-G-Spring 20

Explanation / Answer

A. Since no mean monthly temperature exceeds or is equal to 50oF this region can be categorized into the group E: Tundra type of climate under the Koppen classification system. So the first letter would be an E.

Since no month has a mean temperature of 32oF or above this region comes into the category F (ice-cap climate).

hence the letter symbol that best represents this climate is EF

B. Based on the letter symbol of Koppen climate classification we can also give a descriptive name to the climates. This can be done using the table 6.2 where all the descriptive name is tabulated.

Now from the table, we can see that our EF climate is given the descriptive name ice-cap climate or perpetual ice climate.

C. The climate information given here represents an area of perpetual ice or Icecap climate. This means that the temperature of the place never goes above 50oF and no monthly temperature exceeds 32oF. Of the given options the only permanent ice-covered area would be McMundro in the Antartica where there are permanent ice cover.

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