Differences Between North- and

South-Facing Slopes
By Diana K. Williams; Updated April 27, 2018

The face a slope presents to the sun – north or south – plays a role in the local climate
created on it. This "microclimate" helps determine the types of plants that colonize the
slope and influences which animals are drawn to the area seeking their preferred foods
and suitable shelter. The basic difference between north- and south-facing slopes – the
relative amount and intensity of sunlight they receive – leads to profound ecological
differences, similar (but reversed) in the Northern and Southern Hemisphere.

Amount of Sunlight
In the Northern Hemisphere, north-facing slopes in latitudes from about 30 to 55
degrees receive less direct sunlight than south-facing slopes. The lack of direct sunlight
throughout the day, whether in winter or summer, results in north-facing slopes being
cooler than south-facing slopes. During winter months, portions of north-facing slopes
may remain shaded throughout the day due to the low angle of the sun. This causes
snow on north-facing slopes to melt slower than on south-facing ones. The scenario is
just the opposite for slopes in the Southern Hemisphere, where north-facing slopes
receive more sunlight and are consequently warmer. Near the equator, north- and
south-facing slopes receive roughly the same amount of sunlight because the sun is
almost directly overhead. At the poles, north and south slopes tend to be either
shrouded in darkness all winter long, or bathed in sunlight all summer long, with only
slight variation between the slopes in spring and fall.

Depth of Soil
Depth of soil on a slope, whether it faces north or south, depends on the steepness of
the slope. The steeper the incline, the higher the rate of soil erosion from rain runoff.
Soils on steep slopes are primarily made up of rock fragments because pieces of
lightweight organic matter, such as leaves, wash away before they can decompose into
soil. Slopes that have a gentle incline tend to accumulate a deeper layer of soil. In the
Northern Hemisphere, soil on south-facing slopes dries out faster and is warmer than
soil on north-facing slopes due to longer exposure to sunlight – the opposite applies in
the Southern Hemisphere.

Effect of Rainfall
The amount of rain that falls on a slope and is taken up by existing vegetation is
determined by how steep the slope is, rather than whether it faces north or south. Rain
runs more quickly off steeper slopes and does not have time to be taken up by plants.
Rain falling on less steep inclines stays in the soil longer and is utilized by plants and
trees, generally resulting in larger plants and/or colonization of plants with higher
hydration needs. Slope aspect can figure into this, however: Vegetation on south-facing
slopes in the Northern Hemisphere, for example, has less time to take up water
because of the drying effect of the sun.

Effect on Plant Communities

 Given the effects of varying solar insolation, plant communities can vary widely between
north- and south-facing slopes. In the Northern Hemisphere, warmer south-facing
slopes green up sooner in spring, stay greener longer in the fall and tend to be drier
than north-facing slopes. Plants that tolerate these hot, dry conditions – which,
depending on the region, may be oaks, pines or drought-tolerant shrubs and grasses –
grow well on southern slopes in their native range. A few feet away, a cooler, moister
north-facing slope with a gradual incline may be dotted with closed mixed-hardwood or
conifer forest and shade-tolerant wildflowers. Trees capture indirect sunlight better than
low-growing grasses.

Ads by Revcontent

You May Like

New Site Finds the Cheapest Flights in Seconds!

FlightFinder

5 Clever Riddles That Only the Smartest Can Solve

The Friendly Brain

Top 10 Animals Arrested for Serious Crimes

Most Amazing Top 10

References
 National Park Service/NatureServe: Ecology Basics -- Topography

 British Ecological Society: Influence of Slope and Aspect on Long ‐term

Vegetation Change in British Chalk Grasslands

About the Author

Diana K. Williams is a certified Master Gardener, has more than a decade of experience as an
environmental scientist, and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and environmental
studies from the Ohio Northern University. Williams is a winner of Writer’s Digest Magazine's annual
writing competition.

More Articles
 What Is the Wind in a Tundra?
 Why Is it Hot at the Equator But Cold at the Poles?
 The Effects of Topography on the Climate
 Why Are Days Longer and Shorter?
 What Causes a Rain Shadow?

 Great Plains of North America Animals & Plants