Unit 2: Summer Every Day And Winter Every Night

Alpine/Aoelian » Unit 2: Summer Every Day And Winter Every Night

Overview

The summit of Haleakalā is a place of extremes where the descriptive phrase summer every day and winter every night may be applied. Climate is a primary determinant of the environmental conditions in which the plants and animals of the alpine/aeolian zone live. This unit helps students explore the climate of this region and take from that exploration a working understanding of many of the environmental conditions to which alpine/aeolian residents are adapted. These conditions include wind, dramatic temperature fluctuations between day and night, intense sun exposure, freezing temperatures, and little moisture.

Length of Entire Unit

Three 50-minute periods.

Subject

Climate of the summit area.

Importance

Climate is a key factor in shaping the environmental conditions to which life in the alpine/aeolian zone is adapted.

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Unit Focus Questions

1. What factors influence the climate in the alpine/aeolian ecosystem?
2. What are the environmental conditions in the alpine/aeolian ecosystem?

Enrichment Ideas

Use information available on the Western Regional Climate Center webs ite (which gives daily and archived weather) to research other weather and climate-related questions about Haleakalā.
Based on their work in this unit, especially the presentations in Activity #2 “Mauna Lei Mystery,” have students create educational displays about why the mauna lei forms around Haleakalä, or more generally, about the climate of the upper slopes of the mountain. Display these in the school cafeteria or another prominent location.

Resources for Further Reading

Minyard, W. P., T. W. Giambelluca and D. Nullet, Elevational Patterns of Climate on the Leeward Slope of East Maui, Hawai’i, Cooperative National Park Resources Studies Unit, University of Hawai’i at Manoa, 1994. (You may request a copy of this report from the Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit, University of Hawai’i, 3190 Maile Way, St. John 410, Honolulu, HI 96822.)

Nullet, D. and M. Sanderson, Radiation and Energy Balances and Air Temperature, in M. Sanderson (ed.), Prevailing Trade Winds: Weather and Climate in Hawai’i, University of Hawai’i Press, 1993.

Schroeder, T., Climate Controls, in M. Sanderson (ed.), Prevailing Trade Winds: Weather and Climate in Hawai’i, University of Hawai’i Press, 1993.

Activities in this Unit

#1: What’s the Temperature at the Summit?

Students predict the temperature at the summit of Haleakalā based on the current temperature at their school, and discuss possible explanations for differences between their calculations and the actual temperature.

Alpine, Unit 2
#2: Mauna Lei Mystery

By investigating and learning about the climate conditions that form the mauna lei, or the layer of clouds that often rings Haleakalā, students learn about the environmental conditions of the alpine/aeolian ecosystem.

Alpine, Unit 2
#3: Summer Every Day and Winter Every Night

Students analyze temperature information available on the Internet to draw conclusions about the applicability of the statement “summer every day and winter every night” to the alpine/aeolian ecosystem.

Alpine, Unit 2