microclimate

[ mahy-kruh-klahy-mit ]

noun

1. the climate of a small area, as of confined spaces such as caves or houses cryptoclimate, of plant communities, wooded areas, etc. phytoclimate, or of urban communities, which may be different from that in the general region.

microclimate

/ ˈmaɪkrəʊˌklaɪmɪt; ˌmaɪkrəʊklaɪˈmætɪk /

noun

1. the atmospheric conditions affecting an individual or a small group of organisms, esp when they differ from the climate of the rest of the community
2. the entire environment of an individual or small group of organisms

microclimate

/ mī′krō-klī′mĭt /

1. The climate of a small, specific place within a larger area. An area as small as a yard or park can have several different microclimates depending on how much sunlight, shade, or exposure to the wind there is at a particular spot.
2. Compare macroclimate

microclimate

1. The long-term weather conditions in a small area on the Earth . Usually, this term refers to such things as the differences in weather between the tops of hills and neighboring valleys, or between different parts of the same piece of land.

Derived Forms

• ˌmicrocliˈmatically, adverb
• microclimatic, adjective

Other Words From

• mi·cro·cli·mat·ic [mahy-kroh-klahy-, mat, -ik], adjective
• micro·cli·mati·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of microclimate¹

First recorded in 1920–25; micro- + climate

Example Sentences

Other Forest Service scientists are reporting that denser forests tend to burn less intensely in wildfires because of their shadier and cooler microclimate, while “thinned forests have more open conditions, which are associated with higher temperatures, lower relative humidity, higher wind speeds, and increasing fire intensity.”

From Los Angeles Times

A forest's edge has a drier microclimate and more invasive species than interior forests, making it more susceptible to fire.

From Science Daily

“There is no lawn in Southern California that needs water every day, even in a super hot, dry microclimate,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times

Still, one aspect of the climate variability and microclimate hypotheses can, for now, be put to rest for tropical birds.

From Science Daily

Dr David Bartholomew, based at the University of Exeter during the study and now at Botanic Gardens Conservation International, said: "Our findings suggest that seedlings are experiencing stress in logged forests. This could be due to changes to the canopy structure, microclimate and soil, with current restoration treatments insufficient to eliminate this stress. In particular, highly specialised species seem to struggle to survive, leaving communities with reduced species diversity compared to intact forest."

From Science Daily