14.2 – Classification System Objectives: *Describe the criteria used to classify climates. *Compare and contrast different climates. *Explain and give examples of microclimates. Main Idea: Climates are categorized according to the average temperatures and precipitation amounts.

To Do: 3/23/2016 Wednesday Get the papers from the microbes lab out. Also, get a copy of the accountable talk STEM off of the stool. Start familiarizing yourself with it. We’ll start out with class discussion about any succession we have observed in the pond water micro-ecosystems. Key point to ponder: Why did some of the ecosystems never have moving organisms while others did… Even though they came from the same source of water?

Köppen Classification System Classification system for climates Based on average monthly values of temperature and precipitation Developed by German climatologist Wladimir Koppen. System takes into account distinct vegetation found in different climates Koppen’s classification system is made up of five main divisions based on temperateure and precipitation.

Five main divisions

Tropical climates Year-round high temperatures Wet climates can have up to 600 cm of rain each year Almost continually under the influence of maritime tropical air The areas that border the rainy tropics to the north and south of the equator are transition zones, known as the tropical wet and dry zones. These areas have distinct dry winter seasons as a result of the occasional influx of dry air masses.

Dry climates Covers about 30% of the earth Largest climatic zone Continental tropical air dominates Precipitation is low Vegetation is scarce Two types  Arid regions called deserts, and Semiarid regions called semideserts. Semideserts are usually more humid than deserts. They generally separate arid regions from bordering wet climates.

Mild Climates Mild climates can be classified into three subtypes; humid subtropical climates, marine west-coast climates, and Mediterranean climates. Humid subtropical climates are influenced by the subtropical high-pressure systems that are normally found over oceans in the summer. The marine west-coast climates are dominated by the constant inland flow of air off the ocean. Summers in Mediterranean climates are generally warm and dry because of their nearness to the dry midlatitude climates from the south. Winters are cool and rainy as a result of the midlatitude weather systems that bring storm systems from the north.

Continental climates Three subtypes Warm summer climates Cool summer climates Subarctic climates Tropical and polar air masses often form fronts where they meet in continental climates. Thus, these zones experience rapid and sometimes violent changes in weather, including sever thunderstorms or tornadoes.

Polar Climates To the north of the subarctic climate lies one of the polar climates – the tundra. The tundra is known for its low temperatures. There are no trees in the tundra and precipitation is generally low. The ice-cap polar climate, found at the highest latitudes in both hemispheres, does not have a single month in which average temperatures rise above 0 degree celcius. A variation of the polar climate, called a highland climate, is found at high elevations.

 Microclimates A localized climate that differs from the main regional climate is called a microclimate. Example: Heat islands Many concrete buildings and large expanses of asphalt can create a heat island, where the climate is warmer than in surrounding rural areas.