Casestudy

ALPS GE2
 Alpine climate? Group
E

• the alpine and mountain

climates are part of group E,
along with the polar climate,
where no month has a
mean temperature higher
than 10 °C
The climate of The Alps
 The climate in the Alps varies largely due to elevation and exposure.
 Temperature extremes and annual precipitation are related to the relief of the
Alps.
 The valley bottoms are warmer and drier than the surrounding heights
throughout the year.
 In winter nearly all precipitation above 1500 metres is in the form of snow.
 Snow cover lasts from approximately mid-November to the end of May at the
2000 metre level
EXAMPLE OF AN GIS ASPECT MAP
 Exposure (or Aspect)
• The face a slope presents to the sun – north or south – plays a
role in the local climate created on it. This "microclimate" helps
determine the types of plants that colonize the slope and
influences which animals are drawn to the area seeking their
preferred foods and suitable shelter.
 Exposure/Aspect
• In the Northern Hemisphere, north-facing slopes in latitudes
from about 30 to 55 degrees receive less direct sunlight than
south-facing slopes. The lack of direct sunlight throughout the
day, whether in winter or summer, results in north-facing slopes
being cooler than south-facing slopes.
Why is this important?
Book p. 54 –56
ZONATION
Definition- distribution in
zones or regions of definite
character.

Altitudinal zonation (or

elevational zonation) in
mountainous regions
describes the natural
layering of ecosystems
that occurs at distinct
elevations due to varying
environmental conditions.

Zonation also occurs in

intertidal and marine
environments, as well as
on shorelines and in
wetlands.
Source:
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s://www.alpconv.org/
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fileadmin/user upload/
Publications/25maps.pdf
Landslides in Austria
 IN THE NEWS:
Impact of climate
change on the
Alps?
• Check the following
article:
High temperatures at Alpi
ne summits threaten plan
s of hikers (lemonde.fr)

• THEN: Read through the

casestudy of Chamonix in
your book.
 Impact of climate
change & the Alps?
• Sketch a concept map of dangers and/or
opportunities of higher temperatures in
the Alps – use a blank paper. Use both
sources.

• Summarise your findings on the impact

climate change might have on human
activity in the Alps. Write a text (word
doc) of at least 500 words. Include
images,data and maps, refer to sources.

• Hand in text & concept map via Teams