CLIMATE CHANGE AND ITS IMPACT ON THE BIOCLIMATIC MAP OF IRAQ

Abstract

The study aims to determine the extent of change in the boundaries of bioclimatic regions, which are of great importance for human comfort, as they are factors that affect their health and activities. The research included analyzing the changes in climate characteristics that are closely related to human comfort. Climate data from the period of 1988-2020 were used, covering nineteen stations, with one station per province and two stations for Anbar province to cover its large area. The Oliver's quotient was applied for each month and each cycle to accurately determine the bioclimatic regions. The results were then represented cartographically for the bioclimatic regions of each month and each cycle, and a comparison was made among the three cycles to determine the changes in the boundaries of the bioclimatic regions. Statistical parameters were also used to determine the differences and their trends for the bioclimatic regions, based on standard deviation, difference magnitude, direction, annual and overall rate of change. One of the important results obtained from the study is the presence of periodic differences in climate elements, especially temperature, which showed a relative increase, particularly in the third cycle compared to the first and second cycles. The study also revealed remarkable changes in the boundaries of the bioclimatic map of Iraq as a result of climate change. Thus, the study fully achieved its hypothesis in a scientific and statistically accurate manner. Tables were created to present the results, using color variations and maps to illustrate the regions and their changes.