Climate zone definition
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Understanding Climate Zone Definitions
Introduction to Climate Zones
Climate zones are essential for understanding the distribution and activities of flora and fauna, as well as human activities on Earth. Various approaches are used to define these zones, influenced by the objectives of the analysis, whether it is for natural ecosystems, agriculture, or human activities1.
Köppen Climate Classification
The Köppen climate classification is one of the most widely used systems for defining climate zones. It categorizes the world's climates based on temperature and precipitation patterns. Recent studies have applied this classification to observe changes in global climate zones, noting shifts in bioclimatic conditions due to global warming. These shifts include the expansion of hot tropics and arid climates into higher latitudes and the shrinkage of polar climate zones5.
Local Climate Zones (LCZ)
Definition and Purpose
The Local Climate Zone (LCZ) classification system was developed to address the inadequacies of traditional urban-rural descriptions in urban temperature studies. LCZs are defined by unique combinations of surface structure, cover, and human activity, providing a standardized framework for reporting and comparing temperature observations2.
Application in Urban Studies
LCZs have been widely adopted for urban heat island (UHI) studies, helping to contextualize urban measurements. This system has been embraced by researchers for various purposes, including urban planning and climate modeling. For instance, mapping LCZs in cities like Moscow has facilitated detailed climatic and meteorological modeling4. Similarly, studies in arid cities like Phoenix and Las Vegas have used LCZs to assess surface urban heat islands, revealing that observed properties in these environments often differ from predefined ranges9.
Methodological Challenges
Despite its widespread use, the LCZ framework faces challenges, particularly in the GIS-based mapping stream. Issues such as data scarcity and unclear method specifications have hindered progress. A systematic review of GIS-based LCZ mapping studies highlights the need for a comprehensive summary of methods to improve understanding and address these challenges7.
Climatic Zoning for Building Energy Efficiency
Climatic zoning is crucial for building energy efficiency programs. However, there is no universally accepted method for its delineation. A review of methodologies used by 54 countries revealed that most countries use a limited number of variables, such as temperature and altitude, to define their climatic zones. This simplicity often overlooks the complex relationships between climate and building energy performance. Combining building performance simulation with cluster analysis has been suggested as a robust approach to address these complexities8.
Conclusion
Defining climate zones is a multifaceted task influenced by various objectives and methodologies. The Köppen classification remains a cornerstone for global climate studies, while the LCZ system offers a detailed framework for urban climate research. Despite advancements, challenges remain, particularly in the application of GIS-based methods and the integration of climatic zoning in building energy efficiency programs. Future research should focus on refining these methodologies to enhance our understanding and management of climate zones.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Semi-Arid Climates: Their Definition and Distribution
Climatic zone delimitation is useful for relating climate to the distributions and activities of flora and fauna on the earth’s surface. Many approaches have been used in defining climatic zones. The approach used may be influenced by the objectives of the analysis: whether the intent is to relate climate to the functioning of natural ecosystems, to agriculture, or to human activities.
Highly CitedLocal Climate Zones for Urban Temperature Studies
The local climate zone (LCZ) classification system provides a more accurate description of urban-rural air temperature differences by incorporating surface structure, cover, and human activity.
Highly CitedSource area definition for local climate zones studies. A systematic review
This review aims to promote knowledge about footprint methodologies and their correct application within the Local Climate Zones scheme, highlighting the need for improved contextualization of urban measurements.
Systematic ReviewMapping of local climate zones of Moscow city
Local climatic zones in Moscow can be identified using Landsat 8 space imagery, aiding in detailed climatic and meteorological modeling.
Observed and projected changes in global climate zones based on Köppen climate classification
Global warming has already led to shifts in climate zones, with hot tropics and arid climates expanding and polar climate zones shrinking, but the rate, time, and causes of these changes remain unclear.
Literature ReviewHighly CitedA Literature Survey of Local Climate Zone Classification: Status, Application, and Prospect
Local climate zone research has received increasing attention, particularly in China, with mapping being the most popular theme, followed by thermal environment studies.
Systematic ReviewA systematic review of GIS-based local climate zone mapping studies
This review systematically reviews 16 GIS-based local climate zone mapping studies, identifying challenges and opportunities for further development in this field, and suggests collaborations among stakeholders for sustainable urban development.
Systematic ReviewReview of methods for climatic zoning for building energy efficiency programs
Combining building performance simulation and cluster analysis is a robust technique for defining climatic zones in building energy efficiency programs, addressing complex relations between climate and building energy performance.
Literature ReviewHighly CitedAssessing local climate zones in arid cities: The case of Phoenix, Arizona and Las Vegas, Nevada
The local climate zone classification scheme can effectively assess urban heat islands in arid cities like Phoenix and Las Vegas, with potential implications for local and regional climate simulations.
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