Explain fundamental ideas of Greek and Thornthwaite climate of classification systems ?

The Greek climate classification system, also known as the Köppen climate classification system, was developed by German climatologist Wladimir Köppen in the early 20th century. This system categorizes climates based on temperature and precipitation patterns. The main categories in the Köppen system are tropical, dry, temperate, continental, and polar. Each category is further divided into subcategories based on specific climate characteristics.

The Thornthwaite climate classification system, developed by American climatologist C. Warren Thornthwaite in the mid-20th century, focuses on the relationship between climate and vegetation. This system takes into account factors such as temperature, precipitation, and evapotranspiration to classify climates. The Thornthwaite system categorizes climates as humid, arid, or semi-arid, with further subcategories based on specific climate characteristics.

Both the Greek and Thornthwaite climate classification systems provide a framework for understanding and categorizing different types of climates based on key climate variables. These systems are widely used in the fields of geography, climatology, and environmental science to study and analyze climate patterns and trends.

Greek Climate Classification System

- Developed by C.W. Thornthwaite in the 1940s
- Focuses on:
- Precipitation and temperature data
- Water surplus and deficiency
- Potential evapotranspiration (PET)
- Divides climates into 13 types:
- 5 main types (A, B, C, D, E) based on water surplus or deficiency
- 8 subtypes (a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h) based on temperature seasonality

Key Concepts:

- Water surplus: Amount of precipitation that exceeds PET
- Water deficiency: Amount of PET that exceeds precipitation
- Potential evapotranspiration (PET): The amount of water that would evaporate and transpire from a vegetated surface if water were not limiting
- Aridity index (AI): Ratio of water deficiency to water surplus

Thornthwaite Climate Classification System

- Developed by Warren Thornthwaite in the 1940s
- Focuses on:
- Precipitation and temperature data
- Atmospheric moisture storage capacity
- Divides climates into 11 classes:
- 5 humidity provinces (A, B, C, D, E) based on atmospheric moisture storage capacity
- 2 temperature provinces (A, B) based on coldest month temperature
- 4 subtypes (1, 2, 3, 4) based on seasonal precipitation distribution

Key Concepts:

- Atmospheric moisture storage capacity: The amount of water that the air can hold in the form of vapor
- Humidity province: A region with a similar atmospheric moisture storage capacity
- Temperature province: A region with a similar coldest month temperature