Abstract:

The study determined the climate of southern portion of the Middle Kızılırmak sub-region (Cappadocia district) in Turkey according to Thornthwaite’s climate classification in detail along with Erinç’s aridity index and United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) aridity index. Spatial distributions and inter-seasonal variations of precipitation amounts and minimum, maximum and mean air temperatures, and vulnerability of Cappadocia to desertification processes were also investigated. Main conclusions of the study were summarized as follows: (1) The coldest month of minimum, maximum and mean temperatures is January at all stations used in the study, and the warmest month is July except at two stations for maximum temperatures. (2) Coefficients of variation of the maximum temperatures are the greatest in summer and the smallest in winter. Nevşehir and Kayseri environs are the most continental parts of the Cappadocia district with a high inter-annual variability and low temperatures. (3) Monthly precipitation amounts show a somewhat uniform distribution throughout the year, except the period of July to September. (4) Cappadocia is characterized with a continental rainfall regime having a maximum precipitation in spring. Annual precipitation amounts are found between 336.4 mm and 412.4 mm. (5) Variability of summer precipitation totals is greater than that of other seasons, varying from 65.7% to 78%. The coefficients of variation of the annual precipitation totals are about 18% at north and about 20% at south. (6) Semi-arid and dry sub-humid or semi-humid climate types prevail over Cappadocia according to Thornthwaite’s moisture and Erinç’s aridity indices. Steppe is the dominant vegetation formation with sparse dry forests. (7) Cappadocia district is vulnerable to the desertification processes. In order to mitigate desertification in the district, sustainable land-use management and tourism planning applications are required as soon as possible. Key Words: Cappadocia district, seasonality, variability, Thornthwaite’s climate classification, Erinç’s aridity index, the UNCCD aridity index and desertification.