Theory question 206
Climate(a) Outline any two differences between Greek and Koppen's system of climatic classification. (b) List any four major features of Koppen's system. (c) Describe any four features of the af climatic type (Tropical Rainforest Climate) in Koppen's classification.
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(a) Greek system uses only temperature (latitude) while Koppen uses temperature, rainfall and vegetation; Greek has three zones (torrid, temperate, frigid) while Koppen has five main types with many sub-types; Greek is descriptive while Koppen uses numerical limits and letters.
(b) Uses letter symbols; five main groups A, B, C, D, E (tropical rainy, dry, warm temperate, cool snow-forest, polar), plus H (highland); based on mean monthly temperature and precipitation values; vegetation boundaries used; second and third letters for seasonality (f, w, s, m) and temperature.
(c) Af: temperature high all year, every month above 18°C (about 27°C); small annual range (2-3°C); rain throughout the year, every month over 60 mm, total over 1,500-2,000 mm; double maxima; high humidity; convectional thunderstorms in the afternoons; supports tropical rain forest.
Use Koppen's letters correctly: A tropical, f no dry season.