De klimaatklassifikatie van C.W. Thornthwaite toegepast op België en het Groot-Hertogdom Luxemburg: een kartografische voorstelling
Dingens, P.; Vernemmen, C. (1964). De klimaatklassifikatie van C.W. Thornthwaite toegepast op België en het Groot-Hertogdom Luxemburg: een kartografische voorstelling. Natuurwet. Tijdschr. 45(6-8): 145-198 + 1 map
In: Natuurwetenschappelijk Tijdschrift. L. Walschot/Natuur- en Geneeskundige Vennootschap: Gent. ISSN 0770-1748, more
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| Authors | | Top |
- Dingens, P.
- Vernemmen, C., more
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| Abstract |
The aim of the present paper is to apply the Thornthwaite method of Climate Classification to the published data of mean temperature and precipitation, mostly for the period 1901-30 (48 stations). The data for about 34 points are interpolated from published maps. The three types of water balances occurring in Belgium and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg are illustrated by means of graphs for three characteristic stations (Ieper, Stavelot, Baraque Michel) . The water balance is calculated for each station, with the aid of nomograms and auxiliary tables. The more essential parts of such a water balance are given for a selected station (Ieper , climatic type B1 r B1' b4'). In a table, the authors give the calculated climatic type for each station or point (Name, latitude y, longitude L, height H above sea-level). Most elements calculated in the water balance are mapped (one annual and four seasonal maps). Seventeen numerical tables illustrate some seasonal and geographical features. The published maps show the distribution of : -annual and seasonal observed mean temperature -annual and seasonal calculated potential evapotranspiration -annual and seasonal observed mean precipitation -annual and seasonal calculated actual evapotranspiration -annual accumulated potential water loss -period and duration of accumulated potential water loss -annual and seasonal calculated water deficit -period and duration of water deficit-annual and seasonal calculated water surplus-annual and seasonal calculated run off-yearly ratio run off/precipitation in % -aridity index Ia-humidity index Ih-moisture index Im -summer concentration of thermal efficiency. Mere inspection of those maps shows that there is a real geographical difference in climate between several regions of the country. These differences are further illustrated by the fact that the combination of all climatic elements leads to a final map where no less than 20 climatic types occur. Treating the same data according to Köppen's classification of climates, there is only one prevai1ing type, type Cfb. In the bioclimatic classification after Bagnouls and Gaussen, all stations are of type 7b, with the exception of one 11d-station. In comparison with other classifications, the classification of Thornthwaite has the great advantage of considering the efficiency of some meteorological elements rather than those elements themselves. This results finally in a more rational mathematical classification which enables to notice quite small differentiations of climate even in a region as small as ours. Numerical discrepancies between some theoretical results and the scarse direct observations of evapotranspiration do not affect the value of the method of approach introduced by Thornthwaite. |
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