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Climate of Rangelands J. Peterson Jim Peaco (www.nps.gov) J. Schmidt (www.nps.gov) Climate plays primary role Climate: Biome: Long-term patterns of temperature & precip Weather = short-term variation in temp., precip. wind, humidity, etc. Largest terrestrial ecosystem that is easily recognizable. Prairies, shrublands, woodlands, forests, etc. Ecosystems: Community of organisms & abiotic environment How does climate affect global vegetation patterns? Affects plant biomass (amount of vegetation) Affects types of plants that will grow: Drives photosynthesis Determines growing periods (frost-free period) Trees need more water than shrubs, forbs & grasses. Some plants like it hot & some like it cold. Depends on plant physiology. Influences soils texture & structure. Climate Affects Vegetation Rangelands evolved where precip was insufficient for forests, but too much for barren deserts. Robert Whittaker’s classification of biomes, based on annual precipitation, temperature Variation in Annual Precipitation Across U.S. Variation in Precip L.A. Sharp Experimental Area –Malta Idaho Effective precip = when precipitation is usable Min Precip = (1989) 6.6 inches Max Precip = (1982) 23.6 inches Average = 14.9 inches Geographic Climate Regions Great Basin Figure by K. Launchbaugh Grassland & Savannas Deserts & Semideserts Mediterranean Deserts & Semideserts Topographic Effects Mountains can create Orographic Barriers with Rain Shadows on the leeward side From http://web.mst.edu/~rogersda/umrcourses/ge301/ Hadley Cell Effect Atmospheric circulation patterns between circulation between the equator and 30 latitude. http://people.eku.edu/davisb/Africa/Hadleycell.jpg Hadley Cell Effect Creates bands of moist or dry zones around the globe. http://serc.carleton.edu/images/eslabs/weather/hadley_cells_semi_permanent.jpg Equator 30 http://www.whymap.org/ Continental Land Effects Lands around large bodies of water tend to have climates with: Mild temperatures Abundant precipitation (moist or mesic) Centers of continents are often: Extreme temperature variation (summer to winter) Dry Continental Patterns http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/BlueMarble/Images/land_shallow_topo_2048.jpg Watch Global Circulation video at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=qh011eAYjAA Rangelands of the World Summary of Climate Patterns of precip. & temp drive patterns of vegetation. Geographic effect Altitude and latitude are important Orographic barriers & rain shadows Hadley cells Continental effects