Climate classification of the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil, according to Holdridge's life zones

Abstract

The Brazilian state of Espírito Santo is framed within Holdridge's model, comparing it with Köppen's system and phytogeographic distribution. Municipal averages of bio-temperature, rainfall, potential evaporation-transpiration ratio, altitude and latitude determined the life zones of its 78 municipalities. Data were obtained from official cartographic databases and records of at least 25 years were collected at weather and rainfall stations. Information by FoxPro program was processed and the framing of climatic classes was made through diagrams. Results revealed six vital areas: basal subtropical humid forest/drought (52%), basal subtropical wet forest (25%), pre-mountain tropical wet/dry forest (13%), basal subtropical dry/humid forest (7%), low mountain subtropical rainforest (3%) and pre-mountain tropical rainforest (1%). Three life zones were significantly correlated with three climatic types classified by Köppen, whilst relief factor was the main cause of spatial recurrence. Since phytogeography failed to correlate significantly with Holdridge's system classification, further research is required.