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This page is mainly intended to address Copiapoa habitat climate. I hope to receive feedback to enhance this page, and to help me expand the page beyond just climate. | ||
Introduction: I've spent a great deal of time looking through various publications and climatic data for Central/Northern Chile. The data, combined with what is known about regions of the world with similar meteorological patterns, show that most if not all Copiapoas receive most moisture during their winter. Yet, many publications on cactus indicate a summer to fall growing period in cultivation. I'm sure some grower's local conditions necessitate employing a summer growing period. But do other growers automatically assume Copiapoas require a summer growth period? Data indicates the entire area's frequent coastal fog, which provides moisture for many Copiapoas, is most prominent during the southern hemisphere's winter and spring. I'm skeptical about claims that fog is the primary moisture source for all Copiapoas since some, even in the north, are not found at elevations where the fog generally occurs. Most of the area's infrequent precipitation also occurs in winter. And the chance of precipitation can dramatically increase during El Nino periods (abnormally warm coastal waters), especially in winter. La Nina (abnormally cool coastal waters) period data is more sketchy, but the results should be an increase in moisture providing fog/mist. Expert opinions on the frequencies of El Nino vary anywhere from 3-10 years to 7-30 years. But it's all a matter of what actually constitutes an El Nino since the water temperatures frequently fluctuate. The 3-10 year cycle claim is based on periods of slightly warmer water, whereas longer period claims are tied to significantly warmer water. But what does it take to create a noticeable change in rainfall? It would be interesting to know what transpired in the area this last, significant El Nino, in 1997-98. |
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| Copiapoa
Images • at this Web Site • at other Web Sites |
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(1) from Ota Toru Please feel free to provide Copiapoa images for this web site, or links to Copiapoa images at other web sites. Proper credit will be given. Email rdrnb@mindspring.com |
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| Related Links • The Chileans • Copiapoa in Their Environment (more images) • Copiapoas, and Their Environment (A report on the talk to the TCSS by Rudolf Schulz, by Cactus Carol) |
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