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Definition of rainfall regions of south-eastern Australia by numerical classification methods

Bestimmung von Niederschlagsregionen in Südost-Australien mit numerischen Klassifikationsmethoden

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Summary

The aim of the study is to define homogeneous rainfall regions in order to improve methods for meso-scale extrapolation of isohyets. Two multivariate approaches are used, agglomerative classification and a modification of principal coordinates analysis. The median, mean, upper and lower quartiles and deciles for each month for a 30-year period were used as the attributes for 109 rainfall stations. Several data standardizations and classification methods are examined. Classification results were robust with respect to changes of method. Standardization based on proportions was preferred to that based on standard deviates. Fourteen groups of rainfall stations are recognized arranged in four regions. Use of mean data for groups clearly shows the spatial pattern of seasonal changes in rainfall. Differences in the relationship of rainfall to altitude are shown to be marked between geographically adjacent groups of rainfall stations.

Zusammenfassung

Ziel der Untersuchung ist es, homogene Niederschlagsregionen zu bestimmen, um Methoden für eine mesoskale Extrapolation der Isohyeten zu verbessern. Es werden zwei multivariable Methoden angewendet: eine Häufigkeitsklassifikation und eine Modifikation der Prinzipal-Koordiaten-Analyse. Der Medianwert, der Mittelwert, obere und untere Quartile und Dezile werden für jeden Monat einer 30jährigen Periode als Merkmale für 109 Niederschlagsstationen verwendet. Einige Datennormierungen und Klassifikations-methoden werden geprüft. Die Klassifikationsresultate waren robust im Hinblick auf die verschiedenen Methoden. Die Normierung auf Grund von Proportionen wird der auf Standarbabweichungen basierenden vorgezogen. Es sind 14 Gruppen von Niederschlagsstationen festgestellt worden, die in 4 Regionen zusammengefaßt wurden. Die Mittelwerte der Gruppen zeigen deutlich die räumliche Verteilung der jahreszeitlichen Änderungen des Niederschlags. Unterschiede in der Beziehung des Niederschlags zur Höhe zwischen geographisch benachbarten Gruppen von Niederschlagsstationen sind deutlich gekennzeichnet.

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Author notes

  1. M. P. Austin & G. A. Yapp

    Present address: Division of Land Use Research, CSIRO, P. O. Box 1666, 2601, Canberra City, A. C. T., Australia

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    1. M. P. Austin
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    Austin, M.P., Yapp, G.A. Definition of rainfall regions of south-eastern Australia by numerical classification methods. Arch. Met. Geoph. Biokl. B. 26, 121–142 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02242667

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