Climate & Vegetation Chapter 2 Section 3 & 4

Weather & Climate Weather: unpredictable changes in air that take place over a short period of time Climate: predictable pattern of weather in an area over a long period of time

Tropic of Cancer & Tropic of Capricorn Tropic of Cancer 23 ½˚N Tropic of Capricorn 23 ½˚S

Tropics Area between the Tropic of Cancer & Tropic of Capricorn

Would you like to live in the Tropics?

Areas within the Tropic Region Central America: Southern Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica, Panama, El Salvador South America: Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador Majority of Africa Caribbean: Parts of Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica, Dominican Republic Asia: Southern India, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam Northern Parts of Australia Middle East: Southern Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman

Tropics

Facts About the Tropics During the year, the sun’s direct rays move between the Tropic of Cancer & the Tropic of Capricorn GEO FACT: The sun is directly overhead the Tropic of Cancer on ~June 21 (Summer Solstice) (Summer in Northern Hemisphere) The sun is directly overhead the Tropic of Capricorn on ~Dec. 22 (Winter Solstice) (Summer in Southern Hemisphere The sun is directly overhead the Equinox on ~ March 21/Sept. 23 (Equinox) (Spring in one hemisphere/Autumn in the other) Outside the Tropics, the sun is never directly overhead Climate in the Tropics is almost always warm, except in high altitudes (mountains)

Wind’s Effect on Climate Winds follow prevailing, or typical patterns El Niño: cold winds from East are weak causing some areas to have more rain & others to have less; occurs about every 3 years El Niña: cold winds from East are strong causing heavy clouds to form in the western Pacific

Normal Conditions El Niño Conditions

Currents Carry warm or cool water through the world’s oceans Warm currents move along Equator & toward the Poles Cold currents move along the Poles & toward the Equator As the wind blows over the warm waters, it can bring warmer air to different areas of the Earth (same applies to cold water)

Turn to Page RA28 Leatherback turtles ride along the ocean current as they travel from Australia to the western part of Tasmania (just south of Australia)

How do currents affect climate? Case Study: London vs. Boston Look at the graphic of World Ocean Currents on page 57 Why do you think snow is more likely in Boston than London? Answer: Because the Gulf Stream is a warm ocean current and as the air blows (moving West to East) over this warm water, it carries warm air to western Europe. Therefore, climate is warmer in western Europe than it is in New England.

Landform’s Effects on Climate The shape of the land affects climate Local Winds: patterns of wind caused by landforms in a particular area Examples: Air warmed by the Sun rises up a mountain during the day, at night the air moves down the mountain and becomes fog.

Types of Climate Chapter 2 Section 3

Types of Climate Tropical Mid-Latitude High Latitude Dry Highland In addition, these also have sub groups.

Chapter 2; Section 3 Tropical Climates Mid-Latitude Climates Tropical Rain Forest Climate Tropical Savanna Climate Mid-Latitude Climates Marine West Coast Climate Mediterranean Climate Humid Continental Climate Humid Subtropical Climate High Latitude Climates Subarctic Climate Tundra Climate Ice Cap Climate Dry Climates Desert Climate Steppe Climate Highland Climates

I. Tropical Climate Tropical climates lie in the Tropics area between the Tropic of Cancer & Tropic of Capricorn. A. Tropical Rain Forest Climate zones experience year-round rains that produce lush vegetation and thick rain forests. Tropical Savanna Climate 1. Amazon Basin is world’s largest rain forest. B. Tropical Savanna Climate zones experience two seasons: wet and dry. 1. Savannas, broad grasslands with few trees, are the main type of vegetation

Tropical Climates Tropical Rain Forest Tropical Savanna

Mid-Latitude Marine West Coast Mediterranean

Humid Subtropical Humid Continental

High Latitude Subarctic (Taiga)

Tundra

Ice Cap

Dry Climates Desert

Steppe

Highland

An Environmental Balance Chapter 2 Section 4

It’s all Greek to me! Earth’s Four Parts Atmosphere (Air) Lithosphere (Stone) Hydrosphere (Water) Biosphere (Life)

Negative Human Effects on Earth Atmosphere Air pollution causes depletion of ozone layer Acid Rain forms as air pollution combines with precipitation Lithosphere Deforestation: cutting down trees without replanting Depletion of Topsoil (Solution: Crop Rotation) Hydrosphere Irrigation sometimes causes water waste Pesticides can seep into groundwater & pollute Biosphere Invasion of Ecosystems

Trees in the Great Smoky Mountains killed by acid rain.