Trees for Iraq from homoclimates

Author

Mouaffaq D. Yahya

Date of Award

6-1977

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Forestry

Major Professor

Edward R. Buckner

Committee Members

F.W. Woods, H.A. Core

Abstract

The method of Thornthwaite for classifying climate was applied to identify homoclimates for the three climatic types of Iraq, the mountain, the steppe, and the desert; all types are characterized by winter precipitation and summer drought. Data of mean monthly temperature and mean monthly precipitation were used in the identification of homoclimates. Potential evapotranspiration and moisture indices for the Iraqi stations were computed and six moisture provinces were recognized: Perhumid (A), Humid (B₁), Moist subhumid (C₂) and Dry subhumid (C₁) in the mountain areas; Semiarid (D) in the foothill areas; Arid (E) in the plains (middle and southern Iraq). Areas include parts of southern California, the Atlas mountains of Algeria and Morocco, Central Chile, West Australia, Canary Islands, part of Iraq and Turkey, parts of Greece, parts of Italy, parts of Portugal, and parts of Spain, have climates similar to those of Iraq.

Within the identified homoclimates the search for tree species more likely to be introduced to Iraw has been done. Different areas of Iraq was found to fulfill the requirement of 13 species. Those species are:

1. Abies cilicica Carr. - native to Taurus, Syria and Lebanon. For provinces A, B₁, and C₂. 2. Argania sideroxylon Roem. and Schult. - native to the arid Atlantic coastal hills south of Morocco. For provinces D and E. 3. Alnus prientalis Decne. - native to the eastern Mediterranean region. For provinces C₁, D, and E. A. Arbutus andrachne L. ~ native to Greece. For province D. 5. Callitris glauca R. Br. - native to Australia. For provinces C₁, D, and E. 6. Cedrus atlantica Manetti - native to the mountains of Morocco and Algeria. For provinces A, B₁, and C₂. 7. Cedrus brevifolia Chook.f.) Henry - native to Cyprus. For provinces A, B₁, and C₂. 8. Pinus canariensis C. Sm. - native to Canary Islands. For provinces C₂ and C₁. 9. Pinus ponderosa Laws, - native to western North America from southern British Columbia to central Mexico. For provinces A, B₁, and C₂. 10. Peumus boldus Molina - native to central Chile. For provinces C₁ and D. 11. Pinus pinaster Ait, - native to the western Mediterranean from France and Portugal to western Italy, and from Morocco to western Tunisia. For provinces A, B₁, and C₂. 12. Quercus douglasii Hook, and Arn. - native to California. For provinces C₁ and D. 13. Quillaja saponaria Molina - native to Chile. For provinces C₁ and D.

Recommended Citation

Yahya, Mouaffaq D., "Trees for Iraq from homoclimates. " Master's Thesis, University of Tennessee, 1977.
https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_gradthes/7945