Gradients of
continentality and moisture in South Patagonian ombrotrophic peatland vegetation.
In addition, Conrad's and Rasins'
continentality indices were analysed.
The evaluation of the correlation strength between
continentality gradient and forest fires frequency was implemented by analyzing the resulting cloud point charts, representing the change in fire numbers according to the distance from sea.
In contrast,
continentality indexes, which reflect differences between maximum and minimum temperatures, decrease latitudinally because thermal stability increases toward the equator.
The intensity of weathering ([I.sub.w]) increases with decreasing parameters 1 and 4, and increasing parameters 2, 3 and 5, increasing or decreasing parameter 6 (depending on whether the pH value is above or below pH = 7), and decreasing or increasing parameter 7 (from K = 45 for most arid hot regions to K = 0 for equatorial low lying sites, or to K = 100 for areas with the highest degree of
continentality).
Column heading abbreviations: MAT, Mean Annual Temperature; MAP, Mean Annual Precipitation; GDD, Growing Degree Days; GSL, Growing Season Length; XMT, 30-year extreme minimum winter temperature (event year in parenthesis); CNT,
Continentality (mean annual temperature range).
2C), (iv) sea level and its influence on
continentality (Fig.
One important characteristic affecting climate is referred to as
continentality. Land masses heat more rapidly in summer and cool more rapidly in winter than water.
Gorczynski's index of
continentality (K) is also often used.
Continentality is more marked on the Patagonian plains (Minetti 1989).
This chapter discusses briefly the evolution of the Rift Valley, river and drainage systems, and the main factors influencing the climate of the region such as ocean currents and
continentality. The broad soil and vegetation zones of the region are also considered.
From the mean monthly precipitation and temperature values for each plot, we computed indices that approximate conditions during the growing season (SMRPRE, SMRTMP, SMRTSMRP) and the cool season (WTRPRE, WTRTMP), as well as seasonal variability and
continentality (Table 3).