Introductory Climatology and Biogeography

The world is facing serious challenge of climate change and other environmental problems. There is urgent need to find sustainable solutions. At the end of the course the students should be able to: 1. define and differentiate between weather and climate; 2. describe the science of weather and climate; 3. identify and classify the drivers of climate and ecological systems; and 4. explain man’s impacts on the environment.

The general circulation of the atmosphere – scales and laws of motion. Forces that drive the atmosphere. Major features and models of the circulation, weather-producing systems – air masses and fronts, frontal and non-frontal depressions; tropical systems. Climatic classifications and global systems of climate. Man’s influence on the atmosphere. Basic structure and dynamics of plant communities, factors influencing plant growth. Survey of characteristics, distribution and controlling factors of principal or zoned vegetation types. Man’s influence on vegetation.