Distinct Climatic Zones Research Articles

Critical Analysis of Energy Efficiency Assessment by International Green Building Rating Tools and Its Effects on Local Adaptation

The adaptation of green building rating systems (GBRS) as tools for providing a reliable evaluation of specific built environments is becoming increasingly significant, since factors such as regional climatic conditions may hinder the direct application of any GBRS in its non-adapted form. Energy efficiency is one of the central categories for evaluating building performance, although the category is weighted differently by leading GBRS, such as the Building Research Establishment Assessment Method, and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. Moreover, varying climatic conditions in different counties can affect building performance and result in different levels of energy consumption and CO2 emissions. This study focuses on the built environment of Saudi Arabia and seeks to improve the accuracy of its newly established GBRS, namely the Saudi Environmental Assessment Method. After reviewing various existing international GBRS, the study finds that they have a deficiency in their building performance ratio and/or matrix that indicates the differences resulting from various climatic conditions. This can engender unfair building assessments when comparing between two buildings in two different climatic zones. Therefore, it is essential to recognize to what degree the climatic conditions can affect a building’s energy performance within the Saudi Arabian context. In order to address this issue, which is the research question of the study, a critical analysis is conducted that reviews international assessment methods and, employing the building simulation tool IES-VE, assesses three distinct climatic zones: (a) the hot arid climate of Riyadh, (b) the hot humid climate of Jeddah, and (c) the mild hot mountainous climate of Al-Baha. In total, 30 typical building models, 10 in each zone, are subjected to a sensitivity analysis, and the results reveal that the different climatic conditions in Saudi Arabia have a significant effect on building performance. The study therefore concludes developing a climatic conditions ratio/matrix is imperative for enhancing the accuracy of the building assessment method employed.

Climate change impacts on crop yield, soil water balance and nitrate leaching in the semiarid and humid regions of Canada.

The impact of climate change on agricultural systems is a major concern as it can have a significant effect on the world food supply. The objective of this study was to evaluate climate change impacts on crop production and nitrate leaching in two distinct climatic zones in Canada. Spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was selected for the semiarid regions of Western Canada (Swift Current, SK) and maize (Zea mays L.) was chosen for the more humid regions of central Canada (Woodslee, ON). Climate scenarios were based upon simulations from a Canadian Regional Climate Model (CanRCM4) under two Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5) and crop simulations were conducted using the Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT) model. Compared to the baseline climate scenario, wheat yields increased by 8, 8, 11, 15%, whereas maize yields decreased by 15, 25, 22, 41% under RCP4.5 2050s (2041–2070), RCP4.5 2080s (2071–2100), RCP8.5 2050s and RCP8.5 2080s scenarios, respectively. Annual nitrate leaching increased by 19, 57, 73, 129% at Swift Current and by 84, 117, 208, 317% at Woodslee under the four scenarios, respectively. Adaptation measures suggested that fertilizer N rate for spring wheat should be increased to 80–100 kg N ha-1 to obtain optimal yields although this will result in an additional risk of 5–8 kg N ha-1 nitrate leaching at Swift Current. The fertilizer N rate of 150 kg N ha-1 was found to be suitable for high maize yields at Woodslee. New wheat and maize cultivars with long growing seasons would enable crop growth to match the phenological stage and hence maintain high crop yields to adapt to increased temperatures in the future.

‘Pakshi Pitti’: a robust haven for pelagic birds in the Indian Ocean

India, a land of distinct climatic and geographic zones, supports a remarkable diversity of avian fauna within both its mainland and its seas. There are over 1200 species of birds recorded in India...

The Impact of Climate Change on Biodiversity in Nepal: Current Knowledge, Lacunae, and Opportunities

Nepal has an extreme altitudinal range from 60–8850 m with heterogeneous topography and distinct climatic zones. The country is considered a biodiversity hotspot, with nearly a quarter of the land area located in protected areas. Nepal and the surrounding Himalayan region are particularly vulnerable to climate change because of their abrupt ecological and climatic transitions. Tens of millions of people rely on the region’s ecosystem services, and observed and modeled warming trends predict increased climate extremes in the Himalayas. To study the ecological impacts of climate change in Nepal and inform adaptation planning, we review the literature on past, present, and predicted future climatic changes and their impacts on ecological diversity in Nepal. We found few studies focusing on organisms, while research on species and communities was more common. Most studies document or predict species range shifts and changes in community composition. Results of these few investigations highlight major lacunae in research regarding the effects of changing climate on species comprising the Himalayan biota. Further empirical work is needed at all levels of biological organization to build on information regarding direct ecological impacts of climatic changes in the region. Countries face an ever-increasing threat of climate change, and Nepal has strong physiographic, elevational, and climatic gradients that could provide a useful model for studying the effects of climate change on a mountainous, and highly biodiverse, area.

Development of high spatial resolution rainfall data for Ghana

ABSTRACTVarious sectors of the country's economy – agriculture, health, energy, among others – largely depend on climate information, hence availability of quality climate data is very essential for climate‐impact studies in these sectors. In this paper, a monthly rainfall database (GMet v1.0) has been developed at a 0.5° × 0.5° spatial resolution, from 113 Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet) gauge network distributed across the four agro‐ecological zones of Ghana, and spanning a 23‐year period (1990–2012). The datasets were first homogenized with quantile‐matching adjustments and thereafter, gridded at a spatial resolution of 0.5° × 0.5° using Minimum Surface Curvature with tensioning parameter, allowing for comprehensive spatial fields assessment on the developed dataset. Afterwards, point‐pixel validation was performed using GMet v1.0 against gauge data from stations that were earlier excluded due to large datagaps. This proved the reliability of GMet v1.0, with high and statistically significant correlations at 99% confidence level, and relatively low biases and rmse. Furthermore, GMet v1.0 was compared with GPCC and TRMM rainfall estimates, with both products found to adequately mimick GMet v1.0, with high correlations which are significant at 99% confidence level, low biases and rmse. In addition, the ratio of 90th – percentile provided fairly similar capture of extremes by both TRMM and GPCC, in relation to GMet v1.0. Finally, based on annual rainfall totals and monthly variability, k‐means cluster analysis was performed on GMet v1.0, which delineated the country into four distinct climatic zones. The developed rainfall data, when officially released, will be a useful product for climate impact and further rainfall validation studies in Ghana.

Bin weather data for different climates of Turkey

In this study, bin weather data and bin method for Turkey which is a well-known and simple method to estimate heating and cooling loads were investigated. The bin weather data for dry-bulb temperature from -50°C to +50°C with 3°C increments were generated in six daily 4-h shifts. Typical meteorological year datasets were used to generate bin weather data for the selected eight cities (Istanbul, Ankara, Trabzon, Van, Diyarbakr, Adana, Sivas and Denizli) representing the distinct climatic zones of Turkey. Using typical meteorological year data in bin data generation is the original part of this study. Yearly total Nbin values for the selected cities were tabulated. Results of this study are important due to the data used, fill an important gap for Turkey about bin data and can simply be used in prediction of heating and cooling energy consumptions of buildings. Additionally, this study contributes well to the world literature on bin data.

Ontogenetic and gender-related variation in the isotopic niche within and between three species of fur seals (genus Arctocephalus)

We used an isotopic approach to investigate the intra- and interspecific differences in spatial and trophic ecology of three species of the fur seal genus Arctocephalus that inhabit distinct climatic zones: subtropical (A. australis n = 22), subantarctic (A. tropicalis n = 8), and polar (A. gazella n = 10). We obtained sequential δ13C and δ15N values in dentine from canine teeth of specimens found along the southern Brazilian coast. We calculated isotopic niches where axes were used as a surrogate for trophic (δ15N) and spatial (δ13C) dimensions of the ecological niche. Further, we adjusted generalized additive mixed models to chronological data of δ13C and δ15N to investigate the ontogenetic variation of the isotopic niche. The three species showed significant segregation in both spatial and the trophic dimensions as a result of foraging at different latitudes. Within A. australis, males occupied higher trophic positions than females. Furthermore, some isotopic niche overlap was found between sexes in A. tropicalis and A. gazella, though sample sizes preclude conclusive interpretation. Marked ontogenetic variation in the isotopic niche, especially in the early years, was observed in all species. Isotopic niche suggest that intra- and interspecific competition in these otariids is minimized by different degrees of spatial and trophic segregation.

Taxonomic and functional metagenomic analysis of anodic communities in two pilot-scale microbial fuel cells treating different industrial wastewaters.

The combined processes of microbial biodegradation accompanied by extracellular electron transfer make microbial fuel cells (MFCs) a promising new technology for cost-effective and sustainable wastewater treatment. Although a number of microbial species that build biofilms on the anode surfaces of operating MFCs have been identified, studies on the metagenomics of entire electrogenic communities are limited. Here we present the results of whole-genome metagenomic analysis of electrochemically active robust anodic microbial communities, and their anaerobic digester (AD) sludge inocula, from two pilot-scale MFC bioreactors fed with different distillery wastewaters operated under ambient conditions in distinct climatic zones. Taxonomic analysis showed that Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes were abundant in AD sludge from distinct climatic zones, and constituted the dominant core of the MFC microbiomes. Functional analysis revealed species involved in degradation of organic compounds commonly present in food industry wastewaters. Also, accumulation of methanogenic Archaea was observed in the electrogenic biofilms, suggesting a possibility for simultaneous electricity and biogas recovery from one integrated wastewater treatment system. Finally, we found a range of species within the anode communities possessing the capacity for extracellular electron transfer, both via direct contact and electron shuttles, and show differential distribution of bacterial groups on the carbon cloth and activated carbon granules of the anode surface. Overall, this study provides insights into structural shifts that occur in the transition from an AD sludge to an MFC microbial community and the metabolic potential of electrochemically active microbial populations with wastewater-treating MFCs.

Taxonomic and functional metagenomic analysis of anodic communities in two pilot-scale microbial fuel cells treating different industrial wastewaters

Summary The combined processes of microbial biodegradation accompanied by extracellular electron transfer make microbial fuel cells (MFCs) a promising new technology for cost-effective and sustainable wastewater treatment. Although a number of microbial species that build biofilms on the anode surfaces of operating MFCs have been identified, studies on the metagenomics of entire electrogenic communities are limited. Here we present the results of wholegenome metagenomic analysis of electrochemically active robust anodic microbial communities, and their anaerobic digester (AD) sludge inocula, from two pilot-scale MFC bioreactors fed with different distillery wastewaters operated under ambient conditions in distinct climatic zones. Taxonomic analysis showed that Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes were abundant in AD sludge from distinct climatic zones, and constituted the dominant core of the MFC microbiomes. Functional analysis revealed species involved in degradation of organic compounds commonly present in food industry wastewaters. Also, accumulation of methanogenic Archaea was observed in the electrogenic biofilms, suggesting a possibility for simultaneous electricity and biogas recovery from one integrated wastewater treatment system. Finally, we found a range of species within the anode communities possessing the capacity for extracellular electron transfer, both via direct contact and electron shuttles, and show differential distribution of bacterial groups on the carbon cloth and activated carbon granules of the anode surface. Overall, this study provides insights into structural shifts that occur in the transition from an AD sludge to an MFC microbial community and the metabolic potential of electrochemically active microbial populations with wastewater-treating MFCs.

Transport of solutes under transient flow conditions – A case study – Yamuna river sub basin (Kosi Kalan to Agra)

The imbalance between incoming and outgoing salt causes salinization of soils and sub-soils that result in increasing the salinity of stream-flows and agriculture land. This salinization is a serious environmental hazard particularly in semi-arid and arid lands. In order to estimate the magnitude of the hazard posed by salinity, it is important to understand and identify the processes that control salt movement from the soil surface through the root zone to the ground water and stream flows. In the present study, Yamuna sub-basin (both sides of Gokul dam site) has been selected which has two distinct climatic zones, sub-humid (upstream of Mathura) and semi-arid region (downstream of Mathura). In the upstream, both surface and ground waters are used for irrigation, whereas in the downstream mostly groundwater is used. Both soils and ground waters are more saline in downstream parts of the study area. In this study we characterized the soil salinity and groundwater quality in both areas. An attempt is also made to model the distribution of potassium concentration in the soil profile in response to varying irrigation conditions using the Soil-Water Infiltration and Movement (SWIM) model. Fair agreement was obtained between predicted and measured results indicating the applicability of the model.

Sensitivity analysis and implications for surface processes from a hydrological modelling approach in the Gunt catchment, high Pamir Mountains

Abstract. A clear understanding of the hydrology is required to capture surface processes and potential inherent hazards in orogens. Complex climatic interactions control hydrological processes in high mountains that in their turn regulate the erosive forces shaping the relief. To unravel the hydrological cycle of a glaciated watershed (Gunt River) considered representative of the Pamir Mountains' hydrologic regime, we developed a remote-sensing-based approach. At the boundary between two distinct climatic zones dominated by the Westerlies and Indian summer monsoon, the Pamir Mountains are poorly instrumented and only a few in situ meteorological and hydrological data are available. We adapted a suitable conceptual distributed hydrological model (J2000g). Interpolations of the few available in situ data are inadequate due to strong, relief-induced, spatial heterogeneities. Instead of these we use raster data, preferably from remote sensing sources depending on availability and validation. We evaluate remote-sensing-based precipitation and temperature products. MODIS MOD11 surface temperatures show good agreement with in situ data, perform better than other products, and represent a good proxy for air temperatures. For precipitation we tested remote sensing products as well as the HAR10 climate model data and the interpolation-based APHRODITE data set. All products show substantial differences both in intensity and seasonal distribution with in situ data. Despite low resolutions, the data sets are able to sustain high model efficiencies (NSE ≥ 0.85). In contrast to neighbouring regions in the Himalayas or the Hindu Kush, discharge is dominantly the product of snow and glacier melt, and thus temperature is the essential controlling factor. Eighty percent of annual precipitation is provided as snow in winter and spring contrasting peak discharges during summer. Hence, precipitation and discharge are negatively correlated and display complex hysteresis effects that allow for the effect of interannual climatic variability on river flow to be inferred. We infer the existence of two subsurface reservoirs. The groundwater reservoir (providing 40 % of annual discharge) recharges in spring and summer and releases slowly during autumn and winter, when it provides the only source for river discharge. A not fully constrained shallow reservoir with very rapid retention times buffers meltwaters during spring and summer. The negative glacier mass balance (−0.6 m w.e. yr

Generation of typical meteorological year for different climates of Turkey

Data created by typical weather year approaches, like typical meteorological year, are widely used in building performance analysis studies. In the literature, there are only two studies on typical weather year for Turkey. The present paper presents the generation of typical meteorological years for selected sites representing the distinct climatic zones of Turkey. The Finkelstein–Schafer statistical method was applied to analyze measured weather data which include mean, maximum and minimum daily dry-bulb temperatures, mean and maximum daily wind speeds, mean daily global solar radiation, and mean daily relative humidity. The results show that the difference between TMY and climatological averages is small for the selected sites. Monthly profiles of TMY and climatological averages are more similar for dry-bulb temperature and global solar radiation than relative humidity and wind speed. The results of this study may be used in building energy simulations, heating-cooling load calculations and solar energy studies for the selected sites.

Genetic resources, current ecological status and altitude wise distribution of medicinal plants diversity of Darjeeling Himalaya of West Bengal, India

ObjectiveTo find out the genetic resources, current ecological status and altitude wise distribution of medicinal plants diversity of Darjeeling Himalaya of West Bengal, India. MethodsThe intensive field survey was conducted in the entire regions and necessary information were collected from the local inhabitants and literatures. ResultsThe present study revealed 218 medicinal plants species from 97 families with 195 genera distributed throughout the different altitudinal ranges of entire Darjeeling Himalaya. Of these, 6 plant species were from 3 500-45 00 m altitude, 22 from 1 800-3 500 m, 69 from 1 000-1 800 m and 121 from 130-1 000 m in the study area. There were 24 cultivated medicinal plants and the rest were wild. ConclusionsIt is unique for rich, wide genetic diversity resources and distribution of medicinal plants in distinct climatic zones. However, the status of these some plant species are vulnerable, threatened, rare and critically endangered.

Effect of latitude and acclimation on the lethal temperatures of the peach‐potato aphid Myzus persicae

Aphids, similar to all insects, are ectothermic and, consequently, are greatly affected by environmental conditions. The peach potato aphid Myzus persicae (Sulzer) has a global distribution, although it is not known whether populations display regional adaptations to distinct climatic zones along its distribution and vary in their ability to withstand and acclimate to temperature extremes. In the present study, lethal temperatures were measured in nine anholocyclic clones of M. persicae collected along a latitudinal cline of its European distribution from Sweden to Spain. The effects of collection origin and intra‐ and intergenerational acclimation on cold and heat tolerance, as determined by upper and lower lethal temperatures (ULT50 and LLT50, respectively), were investigated. Lethal temperatures of M. persicae were shown to be plastic and could be altered after acclimation over just one generation. Lower lethal temperatures were significantly depressed in eight of nine clones after acclimation for one generation at 10°C (range: −13.3 to −16.2°C) and raised after acclimation at 25°C (range: −10.7 to −11.6°C) compared with constant 20°C (range: −11.9 to −12.9°C). Upper lethal temperatures were less plastic, although significantly increased after one generation at 25°C (range: 41.8–42.4°C) and in five of nine clones after acclimation at 10°C. There was no evidence of intergenerational acclimation over three generations. Thermal tolerance ranges were expanded after acclimation at 10 and 25°C compared with constant 20°C, resulting in aphids reared at 10°C surviving over a temperature range that was approximately 2–6°C greater than those reared at 25°C. There was no clear relationship between lethal temperatures and latitude. Large scale mixing of clones may occur across Europe, thus limiting local adaption in thermal tolerance. Clonal type, as identified by microsatellite analysis, did show a relationship with thermal tolerance, notably with Type O clones being the most thermal tolerant. Clonal types may respond independently to climate change, affecting the relative proportions of clones within populations, with consequent implications for biodiversity and agriculture.

Use of the spectral clustering to determine coherent precipitation regions in Turkey for the period 1929–2007

AbstractIn this study, we suggest the spectral clustering (SC), a hybrid clustering technique based on singular value decomposition (SVD) and K‐means for grouping features of precipitation totals of 96 stations in Turkey. Clustering process establishes an exhaustive set of occupied regimes into distinct climatic zones. Results of the SC satisfactorily represent the influences of the synoptic‐scale weather systems including such as the mid‐latitude and Mediterranean frontal cyclones, and the mid‐latitude travelling and eastern Europe high pressures in winter, sub‐tropical Azores high pressure and monsoon low in summer. Results of the SC also well display the influences of local‐scale atmospheric disturbances, and direct influences of physical geographical features of Turkey (i.e. exposure, topography, orography, land‐sea distribution, continentality and the high Anatolian peninsula) on the geographical variability and coherent distribution of the annual precipitation totals over Turkey. Finally, based on the results of the SC method employed to annual precipitation totals of 96 stations in Turkey for the period of 1929–2007, eight clusters of precipitation coherent zones are determined, namely Black Sea, Northwest Turkey, southern Aegean and western Mediterranean, Mediterranean, West Continental Central Anatolia, East Continental Central Anatolia, Continental eastern and south‐eastern Anatolia. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society

Revisiting Climate Region Definitions via Clustering

AbstractThis paper introduces a new distance metric that enables the clustering of general climatic time series. Clustering methods have been frequently used to partition a domain of interest into distinct climatic zones. However, previous techniques have neglected the time series (autocorrelation) component and have also handled seasonal features in a suboptimal way. The distance proposed here incorporates the seasonal mean and autocorrelation structures of the series in a natural way; moreover, trends and covariate effects can be considered. As an important by-product, the methods can be used to statistically assess whether two stations can serve as reference stations for one another. The methods are illustrated by partitioning 292 weather stations within the state of Colorado into six different zones.

Simultaneous transport of water and solutes under transient unsaturated flow conditions — A case study

The imbalance between incoming and outgoing salt causes salinization of soils and sub-soils that result in increasing the salinity of stream-flows and agriculture land. This salinization is a serious environmental hazard particularly in semi-arid and arid lands. In order to estimate the magnitude of the hazard posed by salinity, it is important to understand and identify the processes that control salt movement from the soil surface through the root zone to the ground water and stream flows. In the present study, Malaprabha sub-basin (up to dam site) has been selected which has two distinct climatic zones, sub-humid (upstream of Khanapur) and semi-arid region (downstream of Khanapur). In the upstream, both surface and ground waters are used for irrigation, whereas in the downstream mostly groundwater is used. Both soils and ground waters are more saline in downstream parts of the study area. In this study we characterized the soil salinity and groundwater quality in both areas. An attempt is also made to model the distribution of potassium concentration in the soil profile in response to varying irrigation conditions using the SWIM (Soil-Water Infiltration and Movement) model. Fair agreement was obtained between predicted and measured results indicating the applicability of the model.

Entsendungseignungsuntersuchung (EEU): Definition, Empfehlungen zum Untersuchungsaufwand und Einsatz

Standards for medical clearance for private or business missions abroad are--at least in the German speaking countries--not clearly defined and mostly derived from the old terminus "Tropentauglichkeit" which means fit for mission in the tropics. The authors now define a new standard, called "Entsendungstauglichkeitsuntersuchung" which means clearance of fitness for all types of missions abroad, independent of distinct climatic zones. To meet the inhomogenous requirements of different institutions and different types of missions the medical examination proposed follows a modular structure to optimize economic and medical use of resources. Moreover, as Austria, Germany and Switzerland have different legal and economic postulates, the medical examination has to be adapted to the different premises. The definition and description of this special type of "medical clearance for missions abroad" is supplemented by recommendations for definitions of clients who should undergo such an investigation and the professionals who should perform this type of investigation. Additionally, results of this type of medical clearance are defined and prophylactic aspects in terms of pre-travel advice are mentioned.

Long‐term forest floor carbon dynamics after fire in upland boreal forests of western Canada

We examined the long‐term dynamics of upland boreal forest floors after disturbance by fire. We selected two important and contrasting upland tree species, Pinus banksiana (jack pine) and Populus tremuloides (trembling aspen), in three distinct climatic zones across the boreal forest of western Canada, and sampled 80 fire‐originated stands divided into six chronosequences with ages ranging from 14 to 149 years. The forest floor was a large component of carbon storage. Averaged across ages and zones, it was 1.31 and 2.78 kg C m−2 for P. banksiana and P. tremuloides, respectively, compared with 4.03 and 5.56 kg C m−2 in aboveground trees. These data exclude decomposing coarse woody debris, which was a significant component of the forest floor (0.18/0.13 kg C m−2 ) and requires further study. The contributions from shrubs (0.035/0.151 kg C m−2), ground vegetation (0.019/0.026 kg C m−2), and moss‐plus‐lichen (0.179/0.004 kg C m−2) were relatively small. An analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) model showed that forest floor carbon was positively related to stand age, as well as being affected by species and climatic zone. Much of the variability was explained by species, and species‐specific regression models showed that for P. tremuloides forest floor carbon was strongly related to stand age, mean annual temperature, and mean annual precipitation, and for P. banksiana, forest floor carbon was strongly related to an index of moss dominance. The regression models suggest that the forest floor carbon pool in upland forests of the western Canadian boreal will be sensitive to climate change, but this sensitivity would need to be tested with process‐based models.

A mixed mid‐Permian marine fauna from the Yanji area, northeastern China: A paleobiogeographical reinterpretation

Abstract Paleobiogeographically mixed marine faunas have been well recognized from many Permian marine sequences in northeast China. These mixed faunas are normally associated with Monodiexodina fusulinid assemblages. The mixed faunas are characterized by an admixture of both paleo‐tropical Cathaysian taxa and cool‐temperate elements. In addition, endemic taxa, especially at a specific level, and anti‐tropical forms, are also very distinctive.Previously, the presence of anti‐tropical taxa in these mixed faunas has been used to argue that some of the northeast Asian terranes may have originated from northern Gondwana during the Permian, where they may have been m close proximity to Tibet. However, this interpretation is contrasted by the view offered in this paper. It is argued that the anti‐tropical distribution of marine taxa is a normal, predictable biogeographical phenomenon that is probably controlled by certain climatic conditions. Permian anti‐tropicality seems to have occurred most strongly during the Late Artinskian to Ufimian, probably in association with the presence of distinct mesothermal climatic zones at the time. In the present study we report a mixed mid‐Permian marine fauna (fusulinids and brachiopods) from the Dasuangou Formation of the Yanji area in the eastern Jilin Province of northeast China, and discuss its possible origin in the context of Permian paleogeography and the climates of eastern Pangea.