Michael Rocha

Slide 1:Michael RochaG 355 Geosciences for Elementary Educators

Cape Lookout, Tillamook County, Oregon

Slide 2:VerbalizedVerbalized

Slide 4:Brief Different important reasons and effects caused my MicroclimatesBrief Different important reasons and effects caused my Microclimates

Slide 6:Recalling ClimatesRecalling Climates

Slide 7:Explaining MicroExplaining Micro

Slide 8:Introduction and help from Lizard characterIntroduction and help from Lizard character

Slide 10:Microclimates

Microclimates are small atmospheric areas or zones that are somewhat different from the larger surrounding climate. Microclimates can occur anywhere on land, ocean, glaciers, in a city, in a park & small even to be in your back yard. They can be small enough to be under a trees, in a stack of rocks or even in the shadow of your house. Define MicroclimatesDefine Microclimates

Slide 11:Microclimates

Microclimates can vary in temperature, humidity, precipitation, evaporation and wind turbulence. One microclimate may be wetter and colder while another microclimate could be drier and warmer. Oregon Silver Falls

Slide 12:Microclimates

There are three main factors that cause microclimates: Bodies of water Topography Urban Areas Oregon Wallowa County - Eagle Cap Wilderness

Slide 13:Microclimates - Water

Microclimates particularly occur near pools of water like ponds and lakes where they cool the surrounding area and increase humidity. Photo Credit: John Reuter - Klamath

Slide 14:Microclimates - Topography

Mountains and hills block and change wind currents creating cooler temperatures and increasing moisture in the valleys below. Since cold air is also heavier than warm air, colder air will sink into the valleys of hills and mountains.

Slide 15:Microclimates - Topography

Another factor that causes microclimates on a large scale is the south facing slope of a mountain. The south side of the mountain will be warmer than the north side because it is the south side is being exposed to more direct sunlight. In the Southern Hemisphere this phenomena occurs on the north face of the mountain. The north side is warmer and the south side will usually be colder. In the Southern Hemisphere this phenomena occurs on the north face of the mountain. The north side is warmer and the south side will usually be colder.

Slide 17:Microclimates – Urban Areas

Microclimates also occur in large urban city areas during the day when the sun’s energy is absorbed by brick, stone buildings, concrete sidewalks and asphalt roads. At night the energy is released into the air and causes the city to be warmer than the countryside. This is called an urban heat island.

Slide 19:Microclimates – Urban Areas

Buildings do however provide protection from winds that can cause plants to dry out. Since buildings and driveways absorb heat that can also provide warmth for small animals and plants.

Slide 20:Microclimates – Weather

Microclimates influence the water cycle by contributing the rate and levels of precipitation. The interaction between humidity, evaporation and transpiration in these environments are influenced by microclimates.

Slide 21:Microclimates - Rock and Soil Formation

Microclimates create weathering of rocks which affect soil and minerals distribution. The freezing of water in the rocks causes them to breakdown. Microclimates help speed up or in some cases slow down the process.

Slide 22:Microclimates – Agriculture & Food

Many species live and depend on microclimates. The conditions in these relatively small environments create a more suitable environment for many species thrive. Soil, plants and animals are all affected in these regions. Microclimates can also be useful in growing crops and even a garden in the backyard. You can move your plants to an area where the microclimate might benefit these plants. Microclimates can be created. A building or home that has air conditioning creates a microclimate inside the building. A greenhouse is a microclimate that increases the temperature and humidity for plants to grown.

Slide 23:Activity

Slide 25:References, Pictures and Clip Art

http://www.ruf.rice.edu/~sass/UHI.html http://www.livescience.com/php/multimedia/imagegallery/igviewer.php?gid=40 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microclimate http://itotd.com/articles/223/microclimates/ http://www.gardening.cornell.edu/weather/microcli.html http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/380278/microclimate http://www.ocs.oregonstate.edu/index.html http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/mesowest/mwmap.php?map=pqr http://www.ocs.oregonstate.edu/index.html http://cmug.com/chintimp/Willamette.vineyards.htm www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ormultno/Land/maps.htm http://www.northwestherps.com/Northwest_Herps/coerulea.html  http://apesnature.homestead.com/chapter2.html http://www.grantspassoregon.gov/Modules/ShowImage.aspx?imageid=2873 http://www.worldart.com.au/artist-profiles/ http://wallpapers.free-review.net/42__Oregon_Wallowa_County_-_Eagle_Cap_Wilderness.htm http://www.school-clip-art.com http://www.freeclipartnow.com/animals/frogs/ http://webclipart.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ/Ya&sdn=webclipart&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cartooncottage.com%2Fhtml%2Ffrogs.html http://www.meteorologyclimate.com/ http://community.seas.columbia.edu/weatherstation/glo/images/diag_water_cycle.gif

Slide 26:Thanks Leo!