Download Chapter 2-3

Chapter 2-3
Climate Zones and Vegetation
Climate and vegetation go together.
5 Major Climate Groups
- tropical
- mid-latitude
- high latitude
- dry
- highland
tropical-mid and high latitude are based on their
latitude – distance from the equator
Each of these major climate groups has a
number of subgroups of climate zones
Each climate zone has particular kinds of plants
that grow in it
World Climates
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/climate.htm
Tropical Climates
- located from the equator 23.5° North and
South
- warm climate
- two types
- 1. tropical rain forest
o receives up to 100 inches of precip a
year.
o Very wet all year long
- 2. tropical savanna
o has 2 distinct seasons
 wet
 dry
Tropical Rain forest Climate
- dense forests in the Tropics
- year round rains
- lush, thick vegetation
- millions of kinds of plants and animals
o trees
 mahogany
 teak
 ebony
 form a canopy (top layer) of
the forest
 cuts out sunlight reaching the
floor of the forest
- Amazon Rain forest – largest in the world
Tropical Savanna Climate
- broad grassland with few trees
- Southern India
- East Africa
o Wet season
 Rain falls a few months
 Rest of the year is hot and dry
 Map page 63
Mid-Latitude Climates
- moderate climates
- found from 23.5°North and South Latitude
to 66.5° North and South Latitude
- where most of the world’s population lives
o neither too close to the equator or the
poles
- includes more and different climate zones
than the other climate regions
o results from a variety of air masses
o climates in this region are called
temperate climates
 temperature changes with the
seasons
Marine West Coast
- Coast areas that receive winds from the
ocean
o Rainy winters
o Mild winters
o Cool summers
 Northwest US
 Heavy rainfall
 Supports deciduous tree
growth Deciduous Trees
o Trees with broad leaves
 Oak
 Elm
 cottonwood
 Also support coniferous tree
growth Conifers
o Trees with needles also
know as needle leaf trees
 Pine
 Cedar
 Spruce
Mediterranean Climate
- also located along the coast
- similar to the climate found around the
Med Sea
o mild rainy winters
o hot dry summers
 vegetation includes
 chaparral
 shrubs
 short trees
o some are evergreen
o others lose their leaves in
the dry season
Humid Continental Climate
- inland areas of North America, Europe
and Asia
- not found in the Southern Hemisphere
- harsh climate
o long, cold winters
o shorter, hotter summers
 mainly deciduous forests
 large grasslands located here also
Humid Subtropical
- located close to the tropics
- rain falls throughout the year
o heaviest during hot, humid summer
o winters are generally short and mild
- vegetation includes trees like
o oak
o magnolias
o palm
High Latitude Climates
- located north and south of 66.5° Latitude
- generally cold climates
- some more severely cold than others
Sub-arctic Climate
- located nearest the mid-latitude zones
- few people live here
o bitterly cold winters
o temps just above freezing in the
summer
o vegetation includes taiga – little sticks
 huge evergreen forest
 located especially in northern
Russia
Tundra Climate
- Closer to the poles
- Vast treeless plains Tundra
- Area of permafrost
o Lower layers of soil that are
permanently frozen permafrost
permafrost II permafrost III
o Melting snow does not seep into the
ground
 Tundra turns into a large marshy
area during the summer
 Haven for mosquitoes
 Trees cannot take root
 Most vegetation is very fragile
grasses and sturdy bushes
 Power point presentation
 ..\geog class\TundraSnoGeese.ppt
Ice Cap Climate
- polar ice caps
- ice sheets
o Antarctica
o Greenland
 Bitterly cold
 -128° F
- no vegetation grows
o lichens lichens
 fungus-like plants
 mosses
 grow on rocks
Dry Climates
- dry or partially dry areas
o little or no rainfall
o can be hot during the day
o can be cold during the night
o can also have extremely cold winters
o can be found at any degree of latitude
Desert Climate
- Arid
- Receive less than 10 inches of precip a
year
o Known as deserts
o Only scattered plants
 Scrub
 Cacti
 Deep root system
 Also have roots near the
surface to collect any rain that
falls
 Found only in North America
 Other plant life may grow
near rivers or underground
springs – oasis
Steppe Climate
- partly dry grassland Eurasian Steppe - surround many deserts
- Russian for “treeless plains”
- 10-25 inches of precip per year
- short grasses
- Great Plains of the US has a steppe
climate Shrub-steppe - North America
Highland Climate
- Mountains
- Tend to have cool climates
- Highest mountains have extremely cold
climates
o Located even close to the equator
- Cool or cold temps year-round
- Timber line Tree line -
o Area on a mountain where trees stop
growing
 Video – Colorado
 Only small shrubs and vegetation
grow – known as “mountain
tundra”
Section 3 Assessment pg 68