Semi-arid
Semi-arid generally describes non-polar climate regions that receive low annual rainfall (250 to 500 mm or 10 to 20 in) and generally have scrub or short-grass vegetation. A more precise definition is given by the Köppen climate classification that treats steppe climates (BS) as intermediates between the true deserts (BW) and humid climates in ecological characteristics and agricultural potential. The Köppen climate classification allows adjustments for temperature and for seasonality of precipitation, effectively excluding forested regions of Canada and Siberia.
Examples of types of semi-arid biomes are:
- The Steppe of Kazakhstan
- The Sertão of Brazil
- The High Plains of the United States of America.
- The Sahel on the southern edge of the Sahara.
- The southern Prairie Provinces (southern Alberta, southern Saskatchewan and extreme southwestern Manitoba) of Canada.
- A large portion of Australia, namely the outback, that encircles it's desert center.
| Climate types under the Köppen climate classification |
|---|
| Class A: Tropical (Af) - Monsoon (Am) - Savanna (Aw, As) |
| Class B: Arid (BWh, BWk) - Semi-arid (BSh, BSk) |
| Class C: Humid subtropical (Cfa, Cwa) - Oceanic (Cfb, Cwb, Cfc) - Mediterranean (Csa, Csb) |
| Class D: Humid continental (Dfa, Dwa, Dfb, Dwb) - Subarctic (Dfc, Dwc, Dfd) - High-altitude Mediterranean (Dsa, Dsb, Dsc) |
| Class E: Polar (ET, EF) - Alpine (ETH) |
Categories
Climate