pf_03434 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Influence of Landform and Climate on Vegetation Types Plant communities that exist in any given area are the result of numerous biologic and non-biologic factors. These work in concert to influence plant communities in often subtle ways, but some of the influences can have rather dramatic and immediate effects such as drought, or a tornado. Biotic factors can include such varied things as the presence or absence of pollinators, burrowing activities, herbivory, or over utilization of an area by a single species or number of species. Of the abiotic factors, two have a consistently strong influence in the shaping of plant communities. These are climate and landform. The climate of Roseville is considered to be continental and subhumid, with long, cold winters and relatively brief, warm summers. Wide fluctuations in temperature and precipitation also characterize this climate. These fluctuations in temperature and moisture strongly influence the plant communities present in the region and cause plants to be adapted to extremes, rather than averages. Climate Data for Roseville: Source: httJ2.~U members.aol.com/lksperior IRoseville.html 27.0 39.1 55.8 69.5 77.9 82.5 79.7 69.6 58.2 39.7 25.1 9.2 21.6 35.0 45.9 56.7 62.7 59.9 50.1 39.0 25.0 10.1 58 83 93 94 101 105 102 96 86 74 61 .26 .35 6 21 38 44 43 27 12 .17 ..27 0.81 2.13 2.75 3.41 4.68 4.03 4,17 3.05 250 170 1.25 8.8 12.2 4.4 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 trace 0.4 7.8 11.7 Landforms also have a profound impact on the type of plant communities found in any area. The landforms of the Roseville area are primarily associated with activities that took place on the edge of glacial ice sheets (periglacial processes). These well-drained characteristics of the soil tend to exaggerate drought events, thus favoring more drought tolerant communities in upland areas. Roseville Comprehensive Plan - 2002 Update The Land and its People - Page 40fJO