Introduction To Agro-Climatology

1. Explain the nature and scope of climatology.
2. Describe the elements and factors of weather and climate.
3. Explain the dynamics of the atmosphere.
4. Appreciate the dynamics of pressure and wind systems.
5. Appreciate the seasonal variations in the different factors of the climate.
6. Identify the equipment used to measure the various elements of climate and state how to maintain them.
7. Expressly state the relationship between climate and agriculture.

13 weeks, about 30 hours in total. Yours will differ.

1. Week 1Module 1:

   • Unit 1: Principles, Aims and Scope of Climatology · 2 hours

     Define weather and climate.. Differentiate between climatology and meteorology.. Discuss the principles and aims of climatology.. Outline the scope of climatology including regional, synoptic, physical, dynamic, applied, and historical climatology..

2. Week 2Module 1:

   • Unit 2: Elements and Controls of Climate and Weather: Temperature and Solar Radiation · 2 hours

     Explain the influence of solar and net radiation on temperature.. Describe how cloud cover affects temperature.. Discuss how different surfaces (vegetation, land, water) influence temperature.. Explain the impact of latitude and continentality on temperature.. Discuss the factors affecting solar radiation, including solar input, solar altitude, and length of day..

3. Week 3Module 1:

   • Unit 3: Elements and Control of Climate and Weather: Precipitation and Pressure and Winds · 2 hours

     Describe the forms of condensation: dew, frost, fog, and clouds.. Explain the types of clouds and their characteristics.. Discuss the forms of precipitation: drizzle, rain, snow, sleet, and hail.. Define atmospheric pressure and wind.. Explain how temperature affects pressure and wind..

4. Week 4Module 1:

   • Unit 4: Dynamics of Earth's Atmosphere · 2 hours

     Explain the factors influencing atmospheric circulation: radiation balance, pressure gradient force, rotation of the earth, and friction.. Describe the general circulation of the atmosphere.. Discuss the monsoon, land and sea breezes as secondary and tertiary circulation systems..

5. Week 5Module 1:

   • Unit 5: Radiation and Heating of the Atmospheric System · 2 hours

     Describe the sun and its role in the atmospheric system.. Explain how solar energy is transmitted to the earth.. Discuss the disposition of solar radiation in the earth's atmospheric system.. Explain terrestrial and atmospheric radiation.. Discuss the radiation balance and its components..

6. Week 6Module 2:

   • Unit 1: Atmospheric Moisture · 2 hours

     Define atmospheric moisture and its significance.. Explain evaporation and evapotranspiration.. Define humidity and its various indices: absolute, specific, relative, dew-point temperature, and vapor pressure.. Discuss the distribution of humidity over oceans and continents..

7. Week 7Module 2:

   • Unit 2: The Dynamics of Pressure and Wind Systems · 2 hours

     Explain the global distribution of pressure.. Describe the equatorial low, sub-tropical high, temperate low, and polar high pressure belts.. State the various planetary winds and explain their directions: trade winds, westerlies, and polar easterlies..

8. Week 8Module 2:

   • Unit 3: The Condensation and Precipitation Process · 2 hours

     Explain how condensation takes place in the atmosphere.. Discuss the Bergeron-Findeisen and Coalescence theories of raindrop formation.. Explain the types of precipitation: convectional, orographic, and frontal..

9. Week 9Module 2:

   • Unit 4: Seasonal Variations in Radiation, Daylight and Temperature · 2 hours

     Describe the seasonal variations in solar radiation.. Explain the factors affecting solar radiation: length of day, angle of midday sun, distance from the sun, atmospheric absorption, reflection, and scattering.. Describe the seasonal variations in daylight.. Explain the seasonal variations in temperature..

10. Week 10Module 2:

    • Unit 5: Seasonal Variations in Evaporation and Rainfall · 2 hours

      Define evaporation and evapotranspiration.. Differentiate between actual and potential evapotranspiration.. Describe the seasonal variations in evaporation and rainfall.. Identify the major causes of seasonal variations: ITD..

11. Week 11Module 3:

    • Unit 1: Equipment and Maintenance of Standard Meteorological Stations · 2 hours

      Describe the layout of a weather station.. Recognize the equipment for measuring rainfall, air temperature, and humidity.. Explain the categories of weather stations: rainfall, climatological, agroclimatological, and synoptic stations.. Describe the Stevenson screen and its purpose..

12. Week 12Module 3:

    • Unit 2: Measurement of Air Pressure, Wind Speed, Wind Direction, Radiation and Sunshine Duration · 2 hours

      Recognize the equipment for measuring air pressure, wind speed, wind direction, radiation, and sunshine duration.. Describe the use of barometers, anemometers, wind vanes, radiometers, and sunshine recorders.. Explain how to measure each of these climatic elements..

    • Unit 3: Measurement of Evaporation and Evapotranspiration and the Maintenance of a Standard Meteorological Station · 2 hours

      Recognize the equipment for measuring evaporation and evapotranspiration.. Describe the use of evaporimeters and lysimeters.. Explain the maintenance of a standard meteorological station.. Discuss the importance of regular observations and equipment maintenance..

13. Week 13Module 3:

    • Unit 4: Climate and Agriculture in the Tropics I · 2 hours

      Explain the general effects of radiation on crop growth.. Discuss photoperiodism and its influence on crop distribution.. Explain the general effects of water and humidity on crop growth.. Discuss the impact of climate on agriculture in the tropics..

    • Unit 5: Climate and Agriculture in the Tropics II · 2 hours

      Explain the general effects of temperature on crop growth.. Discuss the relationship between climate, pests, and diseases.. Explain the role of agriculture and irrigation.. Discuss the climate-livestock relationships..