Living Landscapes
Observe. Integrate. Design

Module 05 / 25

Climates, Biogeography, and Microclimates

Young orchard trees, mulched beds, and paths beside a woodland edge.

Topics

  • The global climate system, natural history, and climate change
  • The Spheres: Hydrosphere, Atmosphere, Lithosphere, Geosphere, Biosphere
  • Characteristics of temperate, tropical, humid and arid climates, and design strategies for each
  • Assessment of current and changing climate and adaptations to it
  • Biomes, genetic distribution, biodiversity
  • Climate near the ground: Aspect, slope, vegetation, surfaces and structures
  • Design of windbreaks

What you’ll learn

Learning goals

  • Gain awareness of species and technologies appropriate for climatic conditions
  • Understand how permaculture design impacts climate on different scales
  • Implement strategies that lessen risk of climatic extremes.

Read, watch & explore

Getting the books · access & editions

Use your own copy, buy the book, or borrow it through a library when possible. If you are local to me, contact me about borrowing a copy. You can also contact me for information about digital or other access to assigned readings.

Ask about reading access ↗

If your edition uses different page numbers, contact me and we can match the correct section. Contact instructor.

Climate, biodiversity, and water

Watch

Climate Zones, Climate Change and Permaculture Video

YouTube

Watch on YouTube

If the player does not load, use the source link.

Watch the Climate Zones, Climate Change and Permaculture video with Oregon State’s Climate Change & Site Analysis lesson. Temperate and dry are not opposites: temperature patterns and moisture supply are different design questions.

Watch

Agroforestry Video: wind breaks Video

YouTube

Watch on YouTube

If the player does not load, use the source link.

Watch

Permaculture Design For Climate Change Video

YouTube

Watch on YouTube

If the player does not load, use the source link.

Watch

Ecosystems and Biomes Video

YouTube

Watch on YouTube

If the player does not load, use the source link.

Microclimate and your site

Book reading

Edible Forest Gardens, Volume 2

Dave Jacke and Eric Toensmeier

Pages 206 to 213: starting at “Existing-Species Niche Analysis.”

Pages 210 to 213: Microclimate and site assessment — focus within the assigned reading

Book access & editions

Book reading

The Resilient Farm and Homestead

Ben Falk

Page 96: Microclimate and adaptation

Pages 112 to 120: Microclimate and adaptation

Book access & editions

For your windbreak discussion, also consider seasonal drought, excessive wetness, frost, and overheating. Use current weather-service observations and projections for your site, not the historical maps in the books as present-day forecasts. Keep tropical and arid examples as comparisons; develop your own design for its actual climate.

Exercise & discussion

Exercise and Discussion: Consider how you could incorporate windbreaks into your design and discuss with me.

What to prepare

  • Notes on how windbreaks could fit your design, considering seasonal drought, wetness, frost, and overheating.

Save written notes as a document or PDF. For paper maps or handwritten notes, use a clear photo or scan. You can combine related work in one file.

Share & discuss

Attach your windbreak and microclimate notes.

Email the address listed under “Get In Touch” on my contact page. Do not use the contact form. Include the Permaculture Design Course, Module 5, and “Windbreaks and microclimate” in your subject or message.

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Readings & resources

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