Physical Diversity Climate Regions and Biomes

Weather The conditions of the atmosphere at any given time The conditions of the atmosphere at any given time What things affect weather? What things affect weather? Altitude Altitude Wind Currents Wind Currents Ocean Currents Ocean Currents Orographic Effect Orographic Effect Water Vapor Water Vapor Usually minor changes from a day to day basis Usually minor changes from a day to day basis

Orographic Effect

Climate The conditions of the atmosphere over an extended period of time The conditions of the atmosphere over an extended period of time What conditions affect climate? What conditions affect climate? Latitude Latitude Altitude Altitude Ocean temperature Ocean temperature Conditions are usually run in a consistent pattern over time Conditions are usually run in a consistent pattern over time

Climate What are the two most important factors in determining climate? What are the two most important factors in determining climate? Air temperature Air temperature Precipitation Precipitation All of the climates in the world can be classified into one of three different groups based on latitude All of the climates in the world can be classified into one of three different groups based on latitude Low-Latitude Climates Low-Latitude Climates Middle-Latitude Climates Middle-Latitude Climates High-Latitude Climates High-Latitude Climates

Biomes World biomes are controlled by climate World biomes are controlled by climate Climate will determine what types of plants will grow there and what animals will inhabit the area Climate will determine what types of plants will grow there and what animals will inhabit the area All three components: climate, plants, and animals make up the biome All three components: climate, plants, and animals make up the biome

Group 1 Low-Latitude Climates

Rainforest Average Temperature: 75° to 90°F Average Temperature: 75° to 90°F Average Rainfall: 105 inches Average Rainfall: 105 inches High surface heat combined with moist air masses creates humidity levels over 75% High surface heat combined with moist air masses creates humidity levels over 75% As temperatures rise, huge cumulus clouds form each afternoon and typically result in afternoon thunderstorms As temperatures rise, huge cumulus clouds form each afternoon and typically result in afternoon thunderstorms Very little seasonal change from winter to summer Very little seasonal change from winter to summer

Rainforest

Rainforest Vegetation Very thick and lush plants because of abundance of water. Lots of vines and broad leaves Very thick and lush plants because of abundance of water. Lots of vines and broad leaves Between plant species can be found in one hectare (2.5 acre plot) Between plant species can be found in one hectare (2.5 acre plot) ¼ of all medicines come from the rainforest ¼ of all medicines come from the rainforest Divided into 4 layers: emergent, upper canopy, understory, and forest floor Divided into 4 layers: emergent, upper canopy, understory, and forest floor Plants adapt: drip spout leaves, wide root bases, and thin bark Plants adapt: drip spout leaves, wide root bases, and thin bark

Rainforest Animals Large variety of animals, species in a hectare Large variety of animals, species in a hectare Large fruit and plant eating population. (Herbivores) Large fruit and plant eating population. (Herbivores) Monkeys have adapted prehensile tails Monkeys have adapted prehensile tails Reptiles and amphibians thrive in moist climate Reptiles and amphibians thrive in moist climate Insects can reproduce rapidly with prime conditions Insects can reproduce rapidly with prime conditions

Savanna Average Temperature: 75° to 80°F Average Temperature: 75° to 80°F Average Rainfall: 20 to 25 inches Average Rainfall: 20 to 25 inches Seasonal changes occur between wet tropical air masses and dry tropical air masses Seasonal changes occur between wet tropical air masses and dry tropical air masses Two distinct seasons: wet season and dry season Two distinct seasons: wet season and dry season Temperatures are slightly cooler during the dry season Temperatures are slightly cooler during the dry season

Savanna

Savanna Vegetation Lack of rainfall at times does not support many large plants Lack of rainfall at times does not support many large plants Scattered shrubs and isolated trees Scattered shrubs and isolated trees Acacia trees Acacia trees Grassland areas that are wide open Grassland areas that are wide open

Savanna Animals Hooved grazing animals called ungulates: elephants, rhinos Hooved grazing animals called ungulates: elephants, rhinos Large grass eating mammals: giraffes, zebras, wildebeest Large grass eating mammals: giraffes, zebras, wildebeest Carnivores (meat eaters) who eat the grazing animals: lions, cheetah, hyenas Carnivores (meat eaters) who eat the grazing animals: lions, cheetah, hyenas

Desert Average Temperature: 80°F Average Temperature: 80°F Average Rainfall: Less than 5 inches Average Rainfall: Less than 5 inches Light wind causes moisture to evaporate and results in very dry air masses Light wind causes moisture to evaporate and results in very dry air masses Extremely arid because winds push most moisture masses away from area Extremely arid because winds push most moisture masses away from area

Desert

Desert Vegetation Scattered ground-hugging shrubs and sage brush Scattered ground-hugging shrubs and sage brush Replete leaved plants (needle-like leaves): cacti and prickly pears Replete leaved plants (needle-like leaves): cacti and prickly pears Short woody trees Short woody trees Very little water leaves little chance for major plant growth Very little water leaves little chance for major plant growth

Desert Animals Most animals find a way to escape the heat of the daytime: burrowing, shaded areas Most animals find a way to escape the heat of the daytime: burrowing, shaded areas Activity is mainly at night (nocturnal) Activity is mainly at night (nocturnal) Mix of small animals: insects, arachnids, reptiles, birds, and rodents Mix of small animals: insects, arachnids, reptiles, birds, and rodents

Group 2 Middle-Latitude Climates

Steppe Average Temperature: 20°F winter/ 80°F summer Average Temperature: 20°F winter/ 80°F summer Average Rainfall: between 5-20 inches Average Rainfall: between 5-20 inches Semi-arid short grassland climate Semi-arid short grassland climate Moist ocean air masses are blocked by mountain ranges, leaving very little rainfall Moist ocean air masses are blocked by mountain ranges, leaving very little rainfall The mountains also trap polar air creating very cold winters The mountains also trap polar air creating very cold winters

Steppe

Steppe Vegetation Short to medium height grasses are the major vegetation Short to medium height grasses are the major vegetation Poor soil and low precipitation limit the amount of plants that will grow Poor soil and low precipitation limit the amount of plants that will grow Very few trees Very few trees Fires spread easily and are common Fires spread easily and are common

Steppe Animals Various species of grazing animals: antelopes, horses, rabbits, and mice Various species of grazing animals: antelopes, horses, rabbits, and mice Predators thrive because their prey has very little cover Predators thrive because their prey has very little cover They protect themselves by burrowing or herding They protect themselves by burrowing or herding

Mediterranean/Chaparral Average Temperature: 20°F winter/ 80°F summer Average Temperature: 20°F winter/ 80°F summer Average Rainfall: less than 18 inches Average Rainfall: less than 18 inches Large difference in precipitation from the wet winters to extremely dry winters Large difference in precipitation from the wet winters to extremely dry winters

Mediterranean/Chaparral

Mediterranean/C haparral Vegetation Adaptations made so these plants can exist in hot and dry climates Adaptations made so these plants can exist in hot and dry climates Small ground-hugging plants: shrubs, scrub oak, cacti Small ground-hugging plants: shrubs, scrub oak, cacti Resembles the “Wild West Scene” of movies Resembles the “Wild West Scene” of movies

Mediterranean/C haparral Animals Large animals are uncommon due to lack of food sources Large animals are uncommon due to lack of food sources Many small cold-blooded animals: toads, lizards, etc. Many small cold-blooded animals: toads, lizards, etc. Rabbits and small rodents common Rabbits and small rodents common A few larger predators: coyotes A few larger predators: coyotes

Grassland Average Temperature: 20°F winter/ 80°F summer Average Temperature: 20°F winter/ 80°F summer Average Rainfall: 32 inches Average Rainfall: 32 inches Ocean air masses are blocked by mountain ranges. this allows polar air masses to dominate in winter Ocean air masses are blocked by mountain ranges. this allows polar air masses to dominate in winter In the summer, a local continental air mass is dominant. A small amount of rain falls during this season. In the summer, a local continental air mass is dominant. A small amount of rain falls during this season. Annual temperatures range widely. Summers are warm to hot, but winters are cold. Annual temperatures range widely. Summers are warm to hot, but winters are cold.

Grassland

Grassland Vegetation Large rolling terrains of grasses, flowers, and herbs Large rolling terrains of grasses, flowers, and herbs Deep rooted plants that can survive common yearly fires Deep rooted plants that can survive common yearly fires Grasses can grow up to 12 feet high Grasses can grow up to 12 feet high Sun Flowers, goldenrod, clover Sun Flowers, goldenrod, clover Over 100 plant species Over 100 plant species

Grassland Animals Various species of grazing animals who feed off of the grasses Various species of grazing animals who feed off of the grasses Bison, antelope, deer, mice, prairie chickens Bison, antelope, deer, mice, prairie chickens Predators who eat the grazing animals Predators who eat the grazing animals Coyotes, eagles, wolves Coyotes, eagles, wolves

Deciduous Forest Average Temperature: 20°F winter/ 75°F summer Average Temperature: 20°F winter/ 75°F summer Average Rainfall: 40 inches Average Rainfall: 40 inches This climate is in the polar front zone - the battleground of polar and tropical air masses. This climate is in the polar front zone - the battleground of polar and tropical air masses. Seasonal changes between summer and winter are very large. Daily temperatures also change often. Seasonal changes between summer and winter are very large. Daily temperatures also change often. Abundant precipitation falls throughout the year. It is increased in the summer by invading tropical air masses. Cold winters are caused by polar and arctic masses moving south. Abundant precipitation falls throughout the year. It is increased in the summer by invading tropical air masses. Cold winters are caused by polar and arctic masses moving south.

Deciduous Forest

Vegetation Mix of deciduous trees that lose leaves in winter Mix of deciduous trees that lose leaves in winter Some conifers mixed in Some conifers mixed in Zones of forest: Large trees, small trees/saplings, shrubs, herbs, ground (mosses) Zones of forest: Large trees, small trees/saplings, shrubs, herbs, ground (mosses) Hardwood trees Hardwood trees

Deciduous Forest Animals Large population of mammals that range from herbivores to carnivores to omnivores Large population of mammals that range from herbivores to carnivores to omnivores Deer, Black bear, squirrels, weasels, bald eagles Deer, Black bear, squirrels, weasels, bald eagles

Group 3 High-Latitude Climates

Boreal Forest/Taiga Average Temperature: -2°F winter/ 60°F summer Average Temperature: -2°F winter/ 60°F summer Average Rainfall: 12 inches Average Rainfall: 12 inches Long, very cold winters, and short, cool summers Long, very cold winters, and short, cool summers Very cold air masses from the arctic often move in. Very cold air masses from the arctic often move in. The temperature range is larger than any other climate The temperature range is larger than any other climate Precipitation increases during summer months, although annual precipitation is still small. Precipitation increases during summer months, although annual precipitation is still small.

Boreal Forest/Taiga

Vegetation Dominated by coniferous trees (evergreens) that have adapted to winter by having branches angled downward in a reverse cone shape Dominated by coniferous trees (evergreens) that have adapted to winter by having branches angled downward in a reverse cone shape Pine, spruce, firs, and hemlock Pine, spruce, firs, and hemlock Mosses and lichens grow close to ground and on trees Mosses and lichens grow close to ground and on trees

Boreal Forest/Taiga Animals Less overall animal species because of the harsh climate differences Less overall animal species because of the harsh climate differences Millions of insects in the spring and summer Millions of insects in the spring and summer Mainly mammals who can produce their own heat to survive the winter Mainly mammals who can produce their own heat to survive the winter Thousands of migrating birds in the summer Thousands of migrating birds in the summer

Tundra Average Temperature: -20°F winter/ 40°F summer Average Temperature: -20°F winter/ 40°F summer Average Rainfall: 8 inches Average Rainfall: 8 inches The tundra climate is found along arctic coastal areas The tundra climate is found along arctic coastal areas The winter season is long and severe The winter season is long and severe A short, mild season exists, but not a true summer season. A short, mild season exists, but not a true summer season.

Tundra

Tundra Vegetation Soil contains permafrost: layer of the ground that is permanently frozen year- round Soil contains permafrost: layer of the ground that is permanently frozen year- round Very few plants can grow because of the cold ground and short growing season Very few plants can grow because of the cold ground and short growing season Lots of moss and lichens Lots of moss and lichens Small ground hugging plants and shrubs Small ground hugging plants and shrubs

Tundra Animals Animals have made adaptations to survive the winters. Animals have made adaptations to survive the winters. Camouflage: their fir changes color between winter and summer Camouflage: their fir changes color between winter and summer Small rodents and some large predators Small rodents and some large predators

Alpine/Highland Average Temperature: -10°F winter/ 50°F summer Average Temperature: -10°F winter/ 50°F summer Average Rainfall: 9 inches Average Rainfall: 9 inches Highland climates are cool to cold, found in mountains and high plateaus Highland climates are cool to cold, found in mountains and high plateaus Climates change rapidly on mountains, becoming colder the higher the altitude Climates change rapidly on mountains, becoming colder the higher the altitude The highlands have the same seasons and wet and dry periods as the biome they are in. The highlands have the same seasons and wet and dry periods as the biome they are in.

Alpine/Highland

Alpine/Highland Vegetation Smaller ground hugging plants survive the harsh climate Smaller ground hugging plants survive the harsh climate Fewer large trees because winds will blow them over Fewer large trees because winds will blow them over No trees above the tree- line No trees above the tree- line Cold conditions year- round limit growth Cold conditions year- round limit growth

Alpine/Highland Animals Animals in this biome need to adapt to cold temperatures and low oxygen Animals in this biome need to adapt to cold temperatures and low oxygen They have thick fur, strong legs with hooved feet, and some even hibernate in the winter They have thick fur, strong legs with hooved feet, and some even hibernate in the winter