Microclimate | Factors, Types, & Facts

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They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.</div> </a> <div data-popper-arrow></div> </div> <span class="btn btn-link editor-link p-0 qa-byline-link gtm-byline font-12 byline-contributor text-decoration-underline"> The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica</span></div> <div class="last-updated font-12 font-serif"> <a class="byline-edit-history" href="https://www.britannica.com/science/microclimate/additional-info#history" rel="nofollow">Article History</a> </div></div> </div> <button class="d-flex d-lg-none btn btn-outline-blue border rounded-sm shadow-sm mobile-toc-button gtm-mobile-toc-inline-button d-none d-sm-block js-sections-inline-button module-spacing btn d-lg-none"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="toc"></em> Table of Contents </button> <div class="d-flex d-sm-none flex-row"> <button class="d-flex d-lg-none btn btn-outline-blue border rounded-sm shadow-sm mobile-toc-button gtm-mobile-toc-inline-button js-sections-inline-button module-spacing"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="toc"></em> Table of Contents </button> <button class="ai-ask-button btn border-2 ai-ask-button btn border-2 module-spacing btn-sm js-inline-ai-ask-button btn-outline-red-400 border-red-400 p-10 ml-5"> Ask the Chatbot a Question </button> </div> <div class="js-qf-module qf-module px-40 px-sm-20 py-15 mx-auto module-spacing font-14 bg-gray-50 rounded"> <div class="facts-list mt-10"> <div class=""> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Key People: </dt> <dd><a href="/biography/Rudolf-Oskar-Robert-Williams-Geiger" topicid="227820">Rudolf Oskar Robert Williams Geiger</a></dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class=""> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Related Topics: </dt> <dd><a href="/science/climate-meteorology" topicid="121560">climate</a></dd> <dd><a href="/science/microclimatology" topicid="380285">microclimatology</a></dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> <div class="text-center"> <a class="btn btn-sm btn-link p-0" href="/facts/microclimate"> See all related content </a> </div> </div> </div> </div><span class="marker before-article"></span><section data-level="1" id="ref1"><span class="marker PREMOD1 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph"><strong><span id="ref143232"></span>microclimate</strong>, any climatic condition in a relatively small area, within a few metres or less above and below <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Earth" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Earth</a>鈥檚 surface and within canopies of vegetation. The term usually applies to the surfaces of terrestrial and glaciated <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/environment" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">environments</a>, but it could also pertain to the surfaces of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/ocean" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">oceans</a> and other bodies of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/water" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">water</a>.</p><span class="marker MOD1 mod-inline"></span><span class="marker PREMOD2 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">The strongest gradients of <span id="ref143233"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/temperature" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">temperature</a> and <span id="ref143234"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/humidity" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">humidity</a> occur just above and below the terrestrial surface. Complexities of microclimate are necessary for the existence of a variety of life-forms because, although any single <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/species-taxon" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">species</a> may tolerate only a limited range of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/climate-meteorology" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">climate</a>, strongly contrasting microclimates in close proximity provide a total <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="environment" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/environment" data-type="MW">environment</a> in which many species of flora and fauna can coexist and interact.</p><span class="marker MOD2 mod-inline"></span><span class="marker PREMOD3 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Microclimatic conditions depend on such factors as temperature, humidity, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/wind" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">wind</a> and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/turbulence" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">turbulence</a>, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/dew" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">dew</a>, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/frost-meteorology" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">frost</a>, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/heat" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">heat</a> balance, and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/evaporation" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">evaporation</a>. The effect of <span id="ref143235"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/soil" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">soil</a> type on microclimates is considerable. Sandy soils and other coarse, loose, and dry soils, for example, are subject to high maximum and low minimum surface temperatures. The surface reflection characteristics of soils are also important; soils of lighter colour reflect more and respond less to daily heating (<em>see also</em> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/albedo" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">albedo</a>). Another feature of the microclimate is the ability of the soil to absorb and retain moisture, which depends on the <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="composition" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/composition" data-type="MW">composition</a> of the soil and its use. <span id="ref930584"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/plant/vegetation-flora" class="md-crosslink ">Vegetation</a> is also <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="integral" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/integral" data-type="MW">integral</a>, as it controls the flux of water vapour into the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/air" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">air</a> through <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/transpiration" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">transpiration</a>. In addition, vegetation can insulate the soil below and reduce temperature variability. Sites of exposed soil then exhibit the greatest temperature variability.</p><a class="link-module shadow-sm d-block qa-quiz-module" href="/quiz/facts-you-should-know-weather-quiz" data-link-module-iframe-link=""> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/37/190637-131-44E2DB89/Lightning-farm-field-energy-tree-Weather-electricity.jpg" alt="Lightning over a farm field. Weather electricity thunderstorm light energy tree" class="rounded-sm mr-15" width="70" /> <div class="line-clamp clamp-5"> <div class="module-title bg-green">Britannica Quiz</div> <div class="font-weight-semi-bold mt-5">Facts You Should Know: Weather Quiz</div> </div> </a><span class="marker MOD3 mod-inline"></span><span class="marker PREMOD4 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph"><span id="ref143236"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/topography-geology" class="md-crosslink ">Topography</a> can affect the vertical path of <span id="ref143237"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/air" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">air</a> in a locale and, therefore, the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/relative-humidity" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">relative humidity</a> and air circulation. For example, air ascending a <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/mountain-landform" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">mountain</a> undergoes a decrease in pressure and often releases moisture in the form of rain or snow. As the air proceeds down the leeward side of the mountain, it is compressed and heated, thus promoting drier, hotter conditions there. An undulating landscape can also produce microclimatic variety through the air motions produced by differences in <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/density" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">density</a>.</p><span class="marker MOD4 mod-inline"></span><span class="marker PREMOD5 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">The microclimates of a region are defined by the moisture, temperature, and winds of the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/atmosphere" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">atmosphere</a> near the ground, the vegetation, soil, and the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/latitude" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">latitude</a>, elevation, and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/season" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">season</a>. Weather is also influenced by microclimatic conditions. Wet ground, for example, promotes evaporation and increases atmospheric humidity. The drying of bare soil, on the other hand, creates a surface crust that <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="inhibits" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inhibits" data-type="MW">inhibits</a> ground moisture from diffusing upward, which promotes the persistence of the dry atmosphere. Microclimates control evaporation and transpiration from surfaces and influence <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/precipitation" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">precipitation</a> and so are important to the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/water-cycle" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">water cycle</a>.</p><div class="one-good-fact-module"> </div><span class="marker MOD5 mod-inline"></span><span class="marker PREMOD6 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">The initial fragmentation of <span id="ref143238"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/rock-geology" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">rocks</a> in the process of rock <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/weathering-geology" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">weathering</a> and the subsequent soil formation are also part of the prevailing microclimate. The fracturing of rocks is accomplished by the frequent <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/freezing-food-preservation" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">freezing</a> of water trapped in their porous parts. The final weathering of rocks into the clay and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/mineral-chemical-compound" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">mineral</a> <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="constituents" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/constituents" data-type="MW">constituents</a> of soils is a chemical process, where such microclimatic conditions as relative warmth and moisture influence the rate and degree of weathering.</p><span class="marker MOD6 mod-inline"></span></section> <span class="md-signature"><a href="/editor/The-Editors-of-Encyclopaedia-Britannica/4419">The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica</a></span><span class="md-signature">This article was most recently revised and updated by <a href="/editor/John-P-Rafferty/6747">John P. 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Microclimate | Factors, Types, & Facts | Britannica