Even so, when it's cold I opt for the temperate air, predictable terrain and precise pacing of — O.K., fine — the hamster wheel.
Although the state's cool temperate climate favours agriculture, the mountainous terrain and generally poor soils largely confine arable farming to the southeast, north, and northwest.
There are fundamental differences, of course: Chengdu's land is more fertile and its weather more temperate, compared to Chongqing's harsh terrain and sweltering summers.
Led by retirees, people have also been abandoning habitats of colder, more hostile terrain in search of temperate climate and year-round gardening, making this valley one of the fastest-growing areas in the West.
They replanted the 70-acre vineyard with drought-resistant rootstock and cuttings from varietals perfectly suited to its temperate climate, iron-rich soil and rugged terrain.
Due to the mountainous terrain, the climate in the study area varies from temperate to subtropical making it possible to grow a wide variety of crops such as vegetables, corn, potatoes, flowers, fruits, coffee and rice, which are most often marketed in the nearby capital, La Paz.
Physically, however, it is a diverse country: terrain ranges from high plains and snow-capped peaks through temperate lowlands to the jungles of the Amazon basin - although it is one of only two countries in South America (the other is Paraguay) not to have direct access to the sea.
The temperate climate, high precipitation levels, and wide range of biodiversity help make the terrain rich with wildlife and geographically unique.
"Not an inch of ground goes to waste," he says, explaining that the temperate weather, good drainage and a sunny aspect make the risks of farming this perilously steep terrain worthwhile.
We conducted a whole-system (biological + industrial) carbon budget analysis of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest (CNNF), a 615,000 hectare temperate forest region in Northern Wisconsin, U.S. The region is characterized by moderate tree species diversity, gently rolling terrain, short growing season, cold winters, and a well-developed forest products industry.
