Defining and characterizing high-rainfall Mediterranean climates |
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| Authors: | J Sander G Wardell-Johnson |
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| Institution: | 1. Curtin Institute for Biodiversity and Climate, Curtin University , Bentley , Western Australia , Australia juliane.sander@curtin.edu.au;3. Curtin Institute for Biodiversity and Climate, Curtin University , Bentley , Western Australia , Australia |
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| Abstract: | Abstract The world's five Mediterranean-climate regions are typified by similarities in climate reflected in structural vegetation patterns. We developed a methodology to define high-rainfall (annual precipitation ≥800 mm) Mediterranean climates and contrast patterns of between- and within-region climatic heterogeneity. Climatic indices describing the seasonality of the climate were computed in Geographic Information Systems and included in a numerical analysis, in addition to selected bioclimatic variables, using the pattern analysis program PATN. Selected locations from high-rainfall Mediterranean-climate regions were grouped according to climatic similarity, and within-region climatic heterogeneity was compared between regions. Areas traditionally not considered as Mediterranean-climate regions emerged in the classification. Only the Mediterranean-type systems within the Pacific north-west of North America and south-central Chile comprised a substantial extent of high-rainfall Mediterranean climate. Both of these regions were characterized by a high climatic diversity and steep topographic gradients. The numerical analysis demonstrated the high diversity of the high-rainfall Mediterranean-climate type and differences in within-region climatic heterogeneity between the world's high-rainfall Mediterranean-climate regions. |
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| Keywords: | Climatic classification climate groups numerical analysis precipitation and temperature seasonality within-region climatic heterogeneity |
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