Microclimatic differences in habitat on a high mountain in the Orange Free State

Abstract

A study of the effect of altitude and aspect of a 610 m high inselberg indicates that each of these factors has ecologically important influences on temperature, evaporation and humidity. Measurements of the microclimatic differences between six stations demonstrated that by the action of both adiabatic cooling and temperature inversion, a frost-free mountainside habitat exists in a region of frosty winter conditions.

Keywords: microclimates|habitat analyses|habitat features|high altitude areas|mountains|Orange Free State|altitudes|aspects|inselbergs|ecological importances|temperatures|evaporation|humidities|adiabatic cooling|temperature inversions|frosts|physiographic features|Thaba Nchu Mountain (map)