1. Give a brief account of Koeppen's classification of the world climates. ( UPPSC geography 2019, 15 Marks)
Koeppen's classification of world climate was first published in 1918 and rectified thought was published in 1953. It is one of the most acceptable classifications of world climate.
The following are the three criteria for world climate classification used by Koeppen:
Koeppen used three steps to classify the world climate:
In the first step:
2. Give an account of Koppen’s classification of world climate and mention its merits and demerits. ( 65th BPSC geography)
3. Discuss the scheme of climate classification of Köppen and describe the climatic characteristics of the main climatic types of the world. ( 60-62nd BPSC geography)
Answer
Koeppen's classification of world climate was first published in 1918 and rectified thought was published in 1953. It is one of the most acceptable classifications of world climate.
The following are the three criteria for world climate classification used by Koeppen:
- Temperature
- Rainfall
- Vegetation
Koeppen used three steps to classify the world climate:
In the first step:
Based on the temperature variable, world climate is classified into 6 major groups and Koeppen used capital letters from A to E and H to express it.
In the Second step
He clubbed temperature variables A to E and H with rainfall variables.
For the rainfall variable, The following letters are used in a small letter:
In the third step
He clubbed the temperature variable, rainfall variable with a degree of severity variable of temperature.
The following variable was used to express the degree of severity:
- A- Megatherms or Tropical Climate in the Equatorial region
- B- Dry Arid or Desert region near 20 degrees north and south latitude
- C-Mesotherms or Warm Climate near tropic of cancer and tropic of Capricorn
- D-Microtherms or Cold Snow Forest near Arctic Circle
- E-Hekistotherms or Cold Climate near Polar Region
- H-Mountains Region or highland
 |
| Koeppen Major Climate Group |
In the Second step
He clubbed temperature variables A to E and H with rainfall variables.
For the rainfall variable, The following letters are used in a small letter:
- f: Rainfall throughout the year.
- m: Monsoon type
- w: Winter dry
- s: Summer dry
In the third step
He clubbed the temperature variable, rainfall variable with a degree of severity variable of temperature.
The following variable was used to express the degree of severity:
- a,b,c,d refers degree of severity in temperature.
- a: Simply means; hot summer. The average temperature of the warmest month is greater than 22 degrees centigrade.
- b: Simply means; warm summer
- c: Simply means; cool summer;
- d: Simply means; cold summer;
- S: Steppe or Semi-arid
- W: desert
- T: tundra climate
- F: icecap.
Group A: Tropical humid climate:
It exists between the tropic of cancer and the tropic of Capricorn.
Sun is overhead throughout the year in this region.
The annual range of temperature difference is very low and annual rainfall is High.
The tropical group is divided into three types:- Af: tropical wet climate throughout the year
- Am a tropical monsoon climate.
- Aw: tropical winter dry
Group B: Dry climate:
Very low rainfall and not adequate water for the growth of plants.
Extending 15 to 60-degree latitude north and south in both hemispheres on the western margin of continents.
The dry climate is two types:- Semi-arid climate: BS:
- BS at 15 to 20 degrees north and south in both hemispheres.
- BW: from 20 to 30 degrees north and south in both hemispheres.
Group C: Warm temperate:
It extends from 30 to 50 degrees Eastern and western margins of continents.
Warm summer with mild winters.
Four types:
- Cwa: humid subtropical; dry winter
- Cs: Mediterranean
- Cfa: humid subtropical; no dry season
- Cfb: Marine west coast climate.
Group D:
Cold snow forest climate
40 to 70 north latitude in Europe, Asia, and North America.
Two types:- Df: cold climate with humid winter
- Dw: cold climate with dry winter
Group E: Polar climate
It exists beyond the 70-degree latitude
Two types:- ET: tundra climate
- EF: ice cape
Group H: Highlands climate
With increasing altitude on high mountains, the temperature decreases very rapidly, changes in the type of rainfall, and also changes in rainfall intensity.
Merits of Koeppen climate classification;
The following are the advantages of Koeppens's classification:
- It is a general and simple classification of the climatic regions of the world; due to its simplicity, it is the most accepted climatic classification.
- As we know, temperature and precipitation are two major factors in climate. Koppen's classification of the climatic regions is based on temperature and precipitation.
Demerits of Koeppen climatic classification;
The following are the disadvantages of climatic classification:
- Air masses play important role in modern climatic knowledge, however, the role of air masses in Koppen climatic classification is missing.
- Koppen classification is based on the empirical data ( based on the observation of temperature and precipitation), it is not based on the accurate data of temperature and precipitation.
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