Toward a Unified Concept of the Temperate Climate

Abstract

The present study undertakes to present the case for a rational basis and treatment of the concept of temperateness. Most of the investigation has been carried out since 1960, when the author offered new definitions to clarify the differences between the properties of warmth and temperate-ness. From this earlier study came the suggestion that entire temperature frequency distributions should be subjected to quantitative analysis, though at the time only an approximation of such an analysis was offered through geometric construction. Here a statistical basis for the desired solution is presented and is subjected to the usual test of geographical analysis comparison of the climatic patterns with related distributions[long dash]in this case, ancient and modern floras[long dash]and with factors pertinent to human comfort. For an understanding of the choices that have been made here in unifying the concept of the temperate climate, a historical resume may be helpful.