Microclimates and Their Impact on Climate
Microclimates
•
We know that a country’s
climate is influenced by
its location on the globe,
but climate is also
influenced by
geographical features
such as landscape.
•
Human activities can also
have an influence on
climate.
•
They can contribute to
what are known as
microclimates
.
What is a microclimate?
•
A microclimate is the
climate of a very
small area that
differs from the
climate of the
surrounding area.
What is a microclimate?
•
We can experience the effect
of a microclimate if we walk
into a park in the middle of a
busy city.
•
The air is cooler in the park
than it is on the city streets.
•
This can also happen in
mountainous regions and
areas that are close to the
sea.
•
Let’s explore the reasons
why.
Landscape
•
Areas of high land
such as mountainous
regions are colder and
windier than areas of
low land.
•
The city of Santiago in
Chile experiences
higher temperatures
than the mountains
that surround it.
Water
•
Water bodies have an
influence on climate.
•
Water absorbs and
releases heat more
slowly than land does.
•
Ocean temperatures
increase very slowly
in spring and
decrease very slowly
in autumn.
•
The temperature
stays fairly constant.
Water
•
The city of Malaga in
Spain experiences
mild temperatures in
both summer and
winter because it is
located beside the
sea.
•
The same effect
happens close to
other large water
bodies, such as lakes
and rivers.
Soil
•
Soil affects climate in
many ways.
•
Forests contain rich soil
that holds lots of water
and makes the air humid.
•
Trees and other plants
also hold lots of water,
and absorb heat.
•
This is one of the reasons
why it is important to
have gardens in cities.
Deforestation
•
When a forest is
cleared to build an
urban development,
the soil gets covered
up with concrete.
•
Rainwater flows into
drainage systems
instead of being
absorbed by soil and
plant roots, leaving
built-up environments
prone to flooding
during heavy rainfall.
Temperature
•
Most cities experience
microclimates.
•
Urban centres tend to
be warmer than the
surrounding areas.
•
Temperatures in cities
tend to be 1–2°C higher
in winter and 5°C higher
in summer.
•
These warmer urban
areas are called urban
heat islands.
Human activity
•
The higher
temperatures are
caused by human
activities.
•
Road surfaces are
made of non-reflective
materials that absorb
heat.
•
Buildings absorb heat
from the sun and
release it into the
atmosphere.
•
Heat is generated by
central heating systems in
homes and other
buildings during winter.
•
This heat gets released
into the atmosphere as
the buildings cool down
overnight.
•
Factories also produce a
lot of heat.
•
This all contributes to the
microclimate in a city.
Human activity
Rising temperatures
•
In Tokyo, Japan, the
average temperatures
have risen by 3°C over
the past 100 years.
•
Higher temperatures
increase the likelihood
of thunderstorms.
•
Higher temperatures
also cause snow to fall
mainly as sleet, resulting
in fewer snow days for
children in cities!
Australian microclimates
•
Melbourne in
Australia has a
microclimate. The
temperatures here are
over 1°C higher than
in the surrounding
rural areas.
•
Melbourne
experiences frequent
thunderstorms.
Characteristics of microclimates
•
The microclimate of a
city often results in
cloudier, duller skies.
•
Scientists have found
that it is cloudier in
the afternoon in
London and Paris in
spring and summer
because the higher
temperatures lead to
more evaporation.
Urban microclimates
•
As well as this, the
smoke from cars and
factories can lead to
smog, which further
traps heat.
•
Smog hangs in the
atmosphere like a
low-lying cloud.
•
It causes air
pollution, which is a
serious health risk.
Urban microclimates
Most cities tend to have
a greater number of dry
days than rural areas
have, but when it does
rain in a city, the rainfall
is heavier.
Urban microclimates
•
Cities tend to be less
windy than rural areas
because buildings
provide some shelter
from the wind.
•
However, there are
some exceptions.
•
The city of Chicago in
the USA was built
beside a huge lake
called Lake Michigan.
Urban microclimates
•
Chicago was laid out in a
grid pattern, with long
streets and tall
buildings.
•
This produces a wind
tunnel effect, making
the wind blow faster
and colder through the
streets.
•
Chicago is nicknamed
the Windy City!
Illustrations
•
Shutterstock
•
Beehive
Microclimates are small areas with distinct climate conditions influenced by factors like landscape, water bodies, and soil. These unique environments can be experienced in urban parks, mountainous regions, and coastal areas. Factors such as high land elevations, proximity to water bodies, and soil composition play pivotal roles in shaping microclimates. Human activities, like deforestation, can alter these localized climates, impacting temperature, humidity, and rainfall patterns.
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Presentation Transcript
Microclimates We know that a country s climate is influenced by its location on the globe, but climate is also influenced by geographical features such as landscape. Human activities can also have an influence on climate. They can contribute to what are known as microclimates.
What is a microclimate? A microclimate is the climate of a very small area that differs from the climate of the surrounding area.
What is a microclimate? We can experience the effect of a microclimate if we walk into a park in the middle of a busy city. The air is cooler in the park than it is on the city streets. This can also happen in mountainous regions and areas that are close to the sea. Let s explore the reasons why.
Landscape Areas of high land such as mountainous regions are colder and windier than areas of low land. The city of Santiago in Chile experiences higher temperatures than the mountains that surround it.
Water Water bodies have an influence on climate. Water absorbs and releases heat more slowly than land does. Ocean temperatures increase very slowly in spring and decrease very slowly in autumn. The temperature stays fairly constant.
Water The city of Malaga in Spain experiences mild temperatures in both summer and winter because it is located beside the sea. The same effect happens close to other large water bodies, such as lakes and rivers.
Soil Soil affects climate in many ways. Forests contain rich soil that holds lots of water and makes the air humid. Trees and other plants also hold lots of water, and absorb heat. This is one of the reasons why it is important to have gardens in cities.
Deforestation When a forest is cleared to build an urban development, the soil gets covered up with concrete. Rainwater flows into drainage systems instead of being absorbed by soil and plant roots, leaving built-up environments prone to flooding during heavy rainfall.
Temperature Most cities experience microclimates. Urban centres tend to be warmer than the surrounding areas. Temperatures in cities tend to be 1 2 C higher in winter and 5 C higher in summer. These warmer urban areas are called urban heat islands.
Human activity The higher temperatures are caused by human activities. Road surfaces are made of non-reflective materials that absorb heat. Buildings absorb heat from the sun and release it into the atmosphere.
Human activity Heat is generated by central heating systems in homes and other buildings during winter. This heat gets released into the atmosphere as the buildings cool down overnight. Factories also produce a lot of heat. This all contributes to the microclimate in a city.
Rising temperatures In Tokyo, Japan, the average temperatures have risen by 3 C over the past 100 years. Higher temperatures increase the likelihood of thunderstorms. Higher temperatures also cause snow to fall mainly as sleet, resulting in fewer snow days for children in cities!
Australian microclimates Melbourne in Australia has a microclimate. The temperatures here are over 1 C higher than in the surrounding rural areas. Melbourne experiences frequent thunderstorms.
Characteristics of microclimates The microclimate of a city often results in cloudier, duller skies. Scientists have found that it is cloudier in the afternoon in London and Paris in spring and summer because the higher temperatures lead to more evaporation.
Urban microclimates As well as this, the smoke from cars and factories can lead to smog, which further traps heat. Smog hangs in the atmosphere like a low-lying cloud. It causes air pollution, which is a serious health risk.
Urban microclimates Most cities tend to have a greater number of dry days than rural areas have, but when it does rain in a city, the rainfall is heavier.
Urban microclimates Cities tend to be less windy than rural areas because buildings provide some shelter from the wind. However, there are some exceptions. The city of Chicago in the USA was built beside a huge lake called Lake Michigan.
Urban microclimates Chicago was laid out in a grid pattern, with long streets and tall buildings. This produces a wind tunnel effect, making the wind blow faster and colder through the streets. Chicago is nicknamed the Windy City!
Illustrations Shutterstock Beehive
