Microclimate Geography

“A microclimate is a smaller area within a general climate zone that has its own unique climate”(http://study.com/academy/lesson/microclimate-definition-factors-examples.html). There are a number of different aspects associated within the topic of microclimate between North facing slopes and South facing slopes in the southern hemisphere including biodiversity, humidity, temperature, soil nutrient quantity and the amount of sunlight. According to Swingland, I. R. 2001. ‘biodiversity is the term given to the variety of life on Earth. It is the variety within and between all species of plants, animals and micro-organisms and the ecosystems within which they live and interact.’ The aim of the investigation is to prove or disprove the differences

Areas with dams and lakes in the area have a more moderate climate( moderate temperature and humidity) due to the fact that water absorbs and releases heat slower than the land. Water also gets evaporated and results in a higher moisture content than an area with no water body which results in a higher air temperature due to moisture absorbing heat and making the surrounding air warm. The moisture present in the air also affects the vegetation as some plants prefer more humid environments.

Vegetation: the vegetation in the area interacts with the soil and the water and thus affects the microclimate. The vegetation regulates the temperature of the soil below, acts as a filter for dust and can act as a protective windbreak or to block out the sun. plants are also different in different areas due to the different climates associated with those areas.

This article is valid as it relates directly to microclimates and the effects of certain factors that influence the climate of the area. This article is relevant to the assignment as it directly deals with the factors that influence the microclimate of an

The north slope is primarily covered with grass and then a few shrubs and other small bushes due to the increased temperature which results in dryer soil and less nutrient rich soil which mainly grass thrives in and the odd shrub and other small bushes. This affects the animal life on the north slope and only animals that thrive in a grassy dry habitat are present. The atmospheric conditions on the north slope are dry due the dry soil and low moisture content ( according to article 2 in the literature review) with a very low to none existent humidity. According to figure 3, site 1 at the bottom of the slope is 99% grass and 1% other. Site 2 in the middle of the slope is 80% grass, 10% shrubs and 10% other. Site 3 at the top of the slope consists of 58% grass, 40% shrubs and 2% other. The south slope is covered by a variety of foliage throughout the slope. The south slope has nutrient rich soil with moisture in the soil which is ideal for plant growth and animal life due to a high moisture content in the soil and a greater biodiversity of plants and animals. As a result site 1 at the bottom of the slope has 50% canopy trees, 45% grass and 5% shrubs. At site 2 situated in the middle of the slope there is 60% canopy trees, 30% grass, 8% shrubs and 2% other plant species. At site 3 at the top of the slope there is 60% canopy trees, 20% shrubs, 19% other plants and