7.2 Weather vs Climate

Aristotle's Climate Classification:

Major Zones:

• Tropical: Warm, little variation.

  • Located between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn.

• Polar: Cold, ice-covered much of the year.

  • Extends from the North pole to about 66’33 north and from the South pole to 66’33 south.

• Temperate: Seasonal variation.

  • Lies between the Polar and Tropical Zones.

Koppen Climate Classification System: Classifies climates based on temperature and precipitation.

• German Climatologist named Wladimir Koppen(1846 - 1940) developed this system.

Five Major climate zones based on three factors:

• Average monthly temperature.

• Average monthly precipitation.

• average annual precipitation.

Koppen Climate Subcategories:

• Tropical(A): Warm, high precipitation.

  • no dry season all year around.

• Dry(B): Low precipitation(deserts, semi-arid regions).

• Temperate(C): Seasonal Varaitions

  • warm summers and cool winters.

• Continental(D): Large temperature differences.

  • variations between summer and winter, found in inland areas.

• Polar(E): Cold, ice-covered.

  • very short summers

Comparative Climatographs:

• Climatographs are essential tools used by scientists to compare climates in different regions, allowing for precise analysis of temperature and precipitation patterns.

• A climatograph includes figures for average monthly temperature and average total monthly precipitation, based on measurements taken over several years.

• Climatographs facilitate classification of climates by revealing patterns that can be used to categorize and compare different regions worldwide.

Biomes: large ecosystems defined by climate(e.g., rainforests, tundra).

Noteworthy facts to know?:

• Canada falls within the temperate and polar climate zones, characterized by cold winters and varying summers.

• The tropical rainforest biome is not found in Canada due to its northern latitude.

• Examples of seven of the world's eight major biomes can be found across Canada, including temperate rainforests, deserts, and permanent ice.

• Canada's geography limits temperature extremes, preventing the growth of tropical plants and animals.

Biomes and their Characteristics:

• Permanent ice

  • Canada’s far north are permanently frozen zones with annual precipitation of less than 50 cm.

  • Lichens and mosses can tolerate the cold and drought.

• Tundra

  • has a layer of permanently frozen soil called permafrost. Few trees can survive the thin soils and lack of moisture.

  • Plants grow close to the ground.

• Boreal Forest:

  • Located between latitudes of 45 and 65 degrees up north in Canada.

  • Covered by a forest of coniferous trees such as black spruce and white spruce.

  • Annual precipitation is between 30cm and 85 cm.

  • Temperatures are below freezing for six months per year.

• Temperate Deciduous Forest

  • Found in eastern Canada

  • Has a precipitation of 75cm to 180cm

  • Temperatures range from -30C in winter and 30C during summer.

  • Maple, oak, and birch are typical trees in these forests.

• Temperate Rainforest:

  • Costal British Columbia is home to Canada’s temperate rainforest.

  • has a 200cm of precipiation per year.

  • Temperatures are mild, ranging from 5C to 25C.

  • Has tall trees such as Sitka spruce and Douglas fir.

• Grassland

  • Precipitation of 25cm to 100cm with hot summers and cold winters.

  • limited rainfall

  • vegetation is grasses with deep roots adapted for drought

• Desert

  • located in southern British Columbia

  • forms the norther end of the Great Basin Desert of the western United States

  • Rainfall is less than 25 cm annually.

  • plants have spiny leaves to conserve water and grow deep roots.

Bioclimate profiles: Used to predict climate change impacts on agriculture and energy.

Bioclimate Profiles:

• include such elements as minimum, maximum, and mean temperature; probability of frost; monthly total precipitation; number of days with rain and days with snow; and water surplus and deficit. 

• One goal for bioclimate profiles is to apply them to projected changes in climate, helping governments and industries plan for events such as higher temperatures during crop growing seasons or increased demand for heating homes and buildings in winters.

Ecozones & Ecoregions: Classify climate effects on biodiversity.

Ecozones and Ecoregions:

• Ecozone: area of Eath’s surface characterized by climate features and living things, separated from neighbouring ecozones such as oceans, deserts, or mountain ranges.

• Ecoregions: smaller subdivisions within ecozones, defined by landforms such as plains, lakes, mountains, and rivers.

  • influenced by climatic conditions, wildlife, and human activities.