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Urban Areas have a significant impact on climatic characteristics Discuss.
- Essay length: 1159 words
- Submitted: 12/02/2011
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Marked by teacher:
Nigel Fisher
Teacher essay summary
This answer covers many of the main points which would be expected. It includes some relevant geographical terminology. At various points better and more detailed explanations would improve the answer. Also, a detailed case study of a particular urban area (or areas) would be of benefit. It has tried to address the idea of what is a "significant impact", which is good.
Marked by teacher Nigel Fisher 16/02/2012
The first 200 words of this essay...
Katie-Jane Sullivan
"Urban Areas have a significant impact on climatic characteristics" Discuss.
An urban area is characterised by a high population density and vast human features in comparison to areas surrounding it. Urban areas are created and further developed by the process of urbanisation. Other characteristics of urban areas include high rise buildings, good transport links and large amounts of vehicles. These characteristics, together with the high population density, means they have a significant impact on climatic characteristics.
One climatic characteristic that urban areas affect is the cloud cover. Urban areas generally have 5-10% more close cover due to the greater concentration of condensation nuclei. This encourages the cloud formation due to the heating which increases the uplift of air. Similarly urban areas also have a significant impact on the precipitation levels. For example, urban areas are more prone to thunderstorms due to the enhanced convectional uplift.
Another climatic characteristic that is affected is the wind. Urban areas have lower wind speeds due to the roughness of land surfaces. This is due to the varying height of buildings which exerts a fractional drag on the air moving over and around
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MbT essay summary
This answer covers many of the main points which would be expected. It includes some relevant geographical terminology. At various points better and more detailed explanations would improve the answer. Also, a detailed case study of a particular urban area (or areas) would be of benefit. It has tried to address the idea of what is a "significant impact", which is good.
