Climates of Jalisco according to the Köppen-García system with adjustment for potential vegetation

Abstract

The objective of the present research was to update the climate map of the state of Jalisco according to the Köppen-García climate classification, based on high-resolution (90 m) raster climate images and a climate-potential vegetation correspondence adjustment. We worked with daily, monthly and annual climatic data from 154 meteorological stations in the state of Jalisco and 151 stations in neighboring states. The data correspond to the 1961-2014 series in the case of the Jalisco stations and the 1961-2010 series for neighboring states. With this information, raster images were obtained for the classification of the climate with the Köppen-García method, through interpolation processes implemented with the Anusplin method. In the Idrisi system and using map algebra routines, the climate map of Jalisco was obtained at the climatic type and subtype level. Said map was corrected taking into account the correspondence of the climates obtained with the potential vegetation according to COTECOCA. The results showed an 84% correspondence between climates and vegetation types and only 16% of the climatic polygons were corrected. Twenty-nine climatic variants were obtained, of which dry or semi-arid climates represent 13.78% of the state territory, warm humid Aw 21.77%, semi-warm humid A(C)w 4.45%, semi-warm humid (A)C(w) 41.67%, temperate humid Cw 18.33% and cold E, 0.001%. In descending order, the number of climates by region was: South Region 21, Western Sierra Coast 19, Amula Sierra 18, North 14, Southeast 13, South Coast 12, Altos Sur 11, Valles 10, Lagunas 9, Centro 8, Altos Norte 7 and Ciénega 7. It is concluded that the state of Jalisco has a thermal gradient from warm to cold, including semi-warm and temperate, and a semi-arid to sub-humid monsoon through a humidity gradient. The authors consider that the climatic maps obtained can be useful in applications for various areas, such as agriculture, soil science, ecology and environmental sciences.