Climatic Factors - Wind

Air in motion is called wind. Wind velocity can be measured by an Anemometer. It is an important ecological factor of the atmosphere affecting variously the plant life on flat plains, along sea coasts and at high altitudes in mountains. Air generally moves from a region of high pressure to low pressure and from the poles towards the equator.

It affects plants and animals in various ways.

• Strong winds cause soil erosion reducing soil fertility. These also cause desertification by shifting of sand particles to fertile areas.

• It causes lodging (flattening of plants against the ground) of plants like wheat, rice, maize, oat, sugarcane, etc.

• It increases the rates of evaporation and transpiration leading to dessication which causes dwarfism in plants.

• It helps in pollination of anemophilus flowers.

• Wind helps in the dispersal of many seeds, fruits, spores and even some adult animals like winged insects.

• It helps in the migration of flying mammals.

• Hot and dry winds kill the young shoots and damages the buds and fruits.