Bioclimate-Vegetation Interrelations along the Pacific Rim of North America

Abstract

This study was designed to examine relationships between climate and vegetation of the Pacific rim of North America, from the Mediterranean deserts of California to Alaska's boreal taiga. Relations were inferred from temperature and rainfall data recorded at 457 weather stations and by sampling the vegetation around these stations. Climate data were used to construct climatograms, calculate forty one variables and detect main latitudinal and longitudinal gradients. In order to identify the best functions able to relate our variables, polynomial and non-polynomial regressions were performed. The k-means algorithm was the clustering method used to validate the variables that could best support our bioclimatic classification. The variable that best fitted our classification was finally used to prepare a discriminatory key for bioclimates. Across this extensive area three macrobioclimates were identified, Mediterranean, Temperate and Boreal, within which we were able to distinguish nine bioclimates. Finally, we relate the different types of potential natural vegetation to each of these bioclimates and describe their floristic composition and physiognomy.

Agro-Ecological Class Stability Decreases in Response to Climate Change Projections for the Pacific Northwest, USA

“…Annual average precipitation varies across the region with around 150 mm in lee of the Cascade Range in central Washington to more than 1,400 mm across the eastern portion of the study region in northern Idaho. Bioclimatic variables are derivatives of temperature and precipitation and variables considered biologically important for Mediterranean climates have been identified (Peinado et al, 2012). Here, we use 44 previously identified bioclimatic variables for empirical modeling (Table 1).…”

The Creation of Bioclimatic Vegetation Map to Develop Sustainable Agro Forestry in Ba and Kone River Basin, Vietnam

“…Typical research of worldwide bioclimatic classification is mentioned as "Worldwide Bioclimatic Classification System" of Rivas-Matínez et al, 1982 which was applied in some research Bioclimate-Vegetation Interrelations along the Pacific Rim of North America [1] or Bioclimatic classification of US vegetation along a coast-to-coast macrotransect crossing central United States [2]. On the global scale, bioclimatic zones from Mediterranean Arid/ Dry/ Humid/ Semiarid zones to Temperate Humid/ Dry/ Cold zones and to Boreal Oceanic/ Continental zones have shown close relationship of climate and natural vegetation's divisions of Central United States or along the Pacific Rim of North America.…”

Vegetation Structure, Classification and Climatic Characteristics in Temperate-like Mountain Forests Dominated by Abies jaliscana in Western Mexico

“…The distribution, diversity and structure of plant communities are strongly driven by climate (Holdridge, 1947;Stephenson, 1990;Peinado et al, 2012). Human impact and other environmental conditions such as physiographical, biological, and edaphic factors also play an important role (Olvera-Vargas, Figueroa-Rangel & Vázquez-López, latitudes (Rzedowski, 1978).…”