Electronic Journal of Polish Agricultural Universities (EJPAU) founded by all Polish Agriculture Universities presents original papers and review articles relevant to all aspects of agricultural sciences. It is target for persons working both in science and industry,regulatory agencies or teaching in agricultural sector. Covered by IFIS Publishing (Food Science and Technology Abstracts), ELSEVIER Science - Food Science and Technology Program, CAS USA (Chemical Abstracts), CABI Publishing UK and ALPSP (Association of Learned and Professional Society Publisher - full membership). Presented in the Master List of Thomson ISI.
2014
Volume 17
Issue 3
Topic:
Environmental Development
ELECTRONIC
JOURNAL OF
POLISH
AGRICULTURAL
UNIVERSITIES
Kopcińska J. , Skowera B. 2014. THE ROLE OF RELIEF AND LAND USE IN SHAPING THERMAL CONDITIONS OF LOCAL CLIMATE IN THE YEARS 2006–2007, EJPAU 17(3), #02.
Available Online: http://www.ejpau.media.pl/volume17/issue3/abs-02.html

THE ROLE OF RELIEF AND LAND USE IN SHAPING THERMAL CONDITIONS OF LOCAL CLIMATE IN THE YEARS 2006–2007

Joanna Kopcińska1, Barbara Skowera2
1 Department of Applied Mathematics, University of Agriculture in Kraków, Poland
2 Department of Ecology, Climatology and Air Protection, Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Land Surveying, University of Agriculture in Kraków, Poland

 

ABSTRACT

In this article the authors analyzed the impact of relief and land use on
air temperature, which incidentally is one of the basic characteristics of local
climate. Climatological research was performed in a sample area in the southern
part of the Krakowsko-Częstochowska Plateau. The location was chosen because
of its diversified relief and land use. Air temperature measurements were carried
out in the years 2006–2007, in a series of observations which lasted for
several weeks. These measurements were taken at different meteorological sites
including hilltop, valleys and slopes (western, southern and northern exposures)
as well as on various types of land cover (cultivated land, forest and meadow).
Climate diversity on a local scale is best seen during radiation type weather.
Therefore, daily courses of air temperature were analyzed for selected high pressure
and synoptic situations.


The results of this study indicate that most favorable thermal
areas in the studied region are the slope sites (southern and western) and the
high land site. Meanwhile the valley has slightly less favorable conditions for
agricultural development due to the frequent occurrence of temperature inversions.
The most statistically significant (α = 0.05) impact  of
relief and land use on the dynamic changes of air temperature occurs in the warmer
half of the year (especially during summer and late spring). During autumn and
winter months this impact is much lower and is conditioned by the inflow of solar
radiation. The most stable weather conditions were observed in the forest area
throughout the whole time the research was conducted. The results of this research
indicate that the most favorable thermal areas for cultivation plants in the
upland region under observation are the slope sites (southern and western) and
the hilltop area. Meanwhile the valley has slightly less favorable conditions
especially for vegetable crops and orchards due to the frequent occurrence of
temperature inversions. It should be noted that temperature inversions are closely
associated with ground frosts, which are very hazardous for plants especially
in the early vegetation phase.

Key words: meteorological observations, Krakowsko-Częstochowska Plateau, cultivation plants.


Joanna Kopcińska
Department of Applied Mathematics, University of Agriculture in Kraków, Poland
ul. Balicka 253c
30-198 Kraków
Poland

Barbara Skowera
Department of Ecology, Climatology and Air Protection, Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Land Surveying, University of Agriculture in Kraków, Poland
al. Mickiewicza 24-28
30-059 Kraków
Poland
email: barbara196@interia.pl

Responses to this article, comments are invited and should be submitted within three months of the publication of the article. If accepted for publication, they will be published in the chapter headed 'Discussions' and hyperlinked to the article.