Microclimate

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Tree ferns thrive in a protected dell at Heligan Gardens, in Cornwall, England, latitude 50° 15'N

A microclimate is a local external atmospheric zone where the climate differs from the surrounding area. Microclimates exist, for example, near bodies of water which may cool the local atmosphere, or in heavily urban areas where brick, concrete, and asphalt absorb the sun's energy, heat up, and reradiate that heat to the ambient air: the resulting urban heat island is a kind of microclimate. The area in a developed industrial park may vary greatly from a wooded park nearby, as natural flora in parks absorb light and heat in leaves, that a building roof or parking lot just conducts back to the air.

Microclimates can be used to the advantage of gardeners who carefully choose and position their plants. Cities often raise the average temperature by zoning, and a sheltered position can reduce the severity of winter. Roof gardening, however, exposes plants to more extreme temperatures in both summer and winter See also: evapotranspiration, hydrozoning, xeriscaping

Microclimates can also be present in areas though, where human activities affect climate. This can be through a number of ways such as deforestation, afforestation, farming practices, dark colored buildings and roadways, or dam construction.

Solar energy advocates argue that widespread use of solar collection can mitigate overheating of urban environments by absorbing sunlight and putting it to work instead of heating the local surface objects.

Another contributory factor to microclimate is the aspect or slope — south-facing slopes in the Northern Hemisphere and north-facing slopes in the Southern Hemisphere are exposed to more direct sunlight than opposite slopes and are therefore warmer for longer.

A microclimate can offer an opportunity as a small growing region for crops that cannot thrive in the broader area.

Microclimates can also refer to purpose made environments, such as those in a room or other enclosure. Microclimates are commonly created and carefully maintained in museum display and storage environments. This can be done using passive methods, such as silica gel, or with active microclimate control devices.