The influence of relief on the formation of local microclimate (using the example of the southern slope of the Gissar ridge)
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: Introduction. Mountain ranges have a great influence on the climate of the southeastern part of Central Asia. Powerful mountain systems contribute to the diversity of climatic features. Although the general dryness of the climate is evident here, the summer drought typical of the plains and foothills is mostly absent in the mountains. However, in some mountainous and highland areas, the greatest amount of precipitation on an annual basis shift even to summer. Because mountain ranges located in the path of humid air masses force them to rise along the slopes and valleys open to the plains. This causes condensation of water vapor and leads to an increase in precipitation with altitude. A significant influence of the difference in altitude on the climate can be observed in mountainous countries such as Tajikistan. Therefore, this article examines changes in meteorological parameters such as air temperature, precipitation according to observations from the Khushyary, Maikhura and Anzob meteorological stations for the period 1991–2018 and snow cover according to the Makhura and Anzob meteorological stations for 2005–2020, as well as air temperature measurements on the southern and northern slopes of the Gissar Range. Purpose of the research: to establish the influence of the terrain on the formation of the local microclimate (using the example of the southern slope of the Gissar Range). Materials and methods. Historical data of meteorological parameters from the fund of the Agency for Hydrometeorology of the Republic of Tajikistan (TMS-84 monthly data) were used for the analysis. Meteorological data and measurement results were processed in the computer program MS Excel, graphs and histograms were created using this program, calculations were carried out using statistical methods. The trend can be identified and analyzed using the least squares method. The terrain relief was built using SRTM radar images. Using the QGIS program, a map of the geographic altitude of this study area was built. Results. 1. It was determined that the vertical gradient of air temperature increases with altitude, especially when moving from the valley to the high-mountain or glacial zone. 2. It was found that with a decrease in the location of the meteorological station, the air temperature during this period of time increases, and its average value in Anzob is 1.6°C, in Maikhura – 6.2°C and in Khushyary – 11.7°C. 3. It was revealed that in the Varzob River basin, more than 60% of atmospheric precipitation falls in the cold season (November-March), this figure at the Anzob meteorological station is 62.70%, at Maikhura – 67.44% and at Khushyary – 61.51%. 4. It is shown that, compared to the Anzob meteorological station, the Maikhur meteorological station has a higher air temperature and more atmospheric precipitation, and the average temperature for 2005–2020 at Maikhura it is 7.01°C and at Anzob it is 1.92°C, the difference in temperatures between the above-mentioned stations is 8.93°C. Resume. The article presents the results of studies of the mountainous relief influence on the formation and change of the microclimate of the area in 1991–2018 using the example of the Varzob Gorge, the southern slopes of the Gissar Range, as well as the results of measurements of changes in air temperature on the southern and northern slopes of the named mountain range. Suggestions for practical applications and directions for future research. The research results can be useful for studying climate change, taking into account the relief features and general circulation of the area, as well as in studying the characteristics of glaciers, the state of snow cover, the supply of water resources and climatic features in a given region.
Language: English
Subfield: Water Science and Technology
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDG: Climate action
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4408830694