Thesis
Climate change in the Southwest of Western Australia
Honours, Murdoch University
1991
Abstract
Previous studies in the southwest of Western Australia suggest a trend of decreasing rainfall in both a spatial and temporal sense. What are the primary influences of this climatic change?
This analysis is a four step process involving examining the spatial distribution of rainfall, determining the major influences of the climate, determining what spatial and temporal changes have occurred, and explain possible causes of these changes.
Climatic data for winter and summer seasons and,.over four time periods (1900-45, 1946-90, 1946-68, 1968-90) is examined at thirtyfive stations in the southwest for any longterm trends, their degree of statistical significance, and how they relate to widespread climate change and regional changes. Of special interest here is the possible effect a rapid, large scale change of vegetation has on the precipitation of this region.
For the period 1946-90 the winter rainfall is decreasing along the west and south coasts. The trends are as predicted by the proposed Greenhouse effect. However the high degree of natural variability of climate data is reinforced with trends being within the scope of the natural fluctuations.
Details
- Title
- Climate change in the Southwest of Western Australia
- Authors/Creators
- Allyson Williams
- Contributors
- Tom Lyons (Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Murdoch University; Honours
- Identifiers
- 991005542278907891
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Environmental Science
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis
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