This report discuss the relationship between air temperature and land
uses, using data from the west of Hokkaido, the northern island of Jap
an. The relationship is based on a regression analysis between air tem
perature and land uses. The air temperature changes due to the height
above sea level is also analyzed. Land uses are classified into four c
ategories: (i) man-made areas; (ii) agricultural land; (iii) woods and
forests; and (4) water areas. The results of the study showed that th
e man-made areas tended to raise the air temperature and the agricultu
ral area to lower it, that the influence of woods and forests on tempe
rature is small, and that areas of water intensely influence the minim
um temperature. The effect due to altitude has been considered as 0.6
degrees C per 100 m, similar to temperature change (0.6 degrees C/100m
) with height. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science S.A.