Climate & Vegetation

Climate Weather conditions at a particular location over a period of time. Vegetation All the plant life in a particular region. What is the Relationship???

#1 Factor Influencing Climate Latitude! The distance north or south of the Equator. #2 Factor Influencing Climate Altitude/ Elevation! Temperature decreases 3.5°F./1,000’ Air Pressure decreases (harder to breathe)

Types of Climates: Tundra Tundra Climate Long, cold winters & brief chilly summers Avg. Summer Temps = 30°F to 55°F in. of precipitation per year. PERMAFROST – permanently frozen ground. Short growing season: ~ 2 months when ground thaws Tundra Vegetation Little vegetation due to cold temps. wind and little precipitation. No trees. Lichens, mosses. Shrubs, short grasses species of flowers. Finnish word tunturia – “treeless plain”

Lichens & Flowers

Tundra Wildlife Gyr Falcon Polar Bear Arctic Fox Caribou Snow Owl

Types of Climates: Subarctic Subarctic Climate Cold winters & short mild summers Avg. Temps 30°F to 85°F in. of precipitation per year Infertile soil, 2-3 month growing season Some permafrost Subarctic Vegetation Coniferous Forest A.k.a “needle-leaf” Trees that produce cones: spruce, firs, pine Lichens, mosses Shrubs

Subarctic Wildlife Moose Grey Wolf Brown Bear Elk

Types of Climates: Highland Highland Climate Temperatures vary with elevation and latitude Higher elevation – colder temps, less vegetation Most precipitation is snow Highland Plant Life Tundra Vegetation Little vegetation: lichens, mosses, shrubs Coniferous Forest Needleleaf trees Spruce, firs, pine

British ColumbiaAlberta

Highland Wildlife Mountain Goat Dall Sheep Mountain Lion

Types of Climates: Humid Continental Climate Cold winters & warm summers Large range of temperatures Fertile soil, good agricultural areas 2 Subtypes: Warm summer Cool summer Vegetation Coniferous Forest Needleleaf trees: pines, firs Deciduous Forest Broadleaf trees: maple, Temperate Grassland West of Mississippi R.

Iowa Farmland

Vermont

White-tailed Deer Raccoon Bobcat Skunk Beaver

Types of Climates: Marine West Coast Climate Factors: Pacific Ocean currents Coastal mountains Prevailing westerlies Moderately warm summers, long mild winters High precipitation, foggy Vegetation Coniferous Forest Needleleaf trees: evergreens Deciduous Forest Broadleaf trees: redwoods

Redwood Forests: Northern California

Seattle, Washington

Sea Otter Puffin Sea Lion Killer WhaleBlack-tailed Deer

Types of Climates: Humid Subtropical Climate Hot muggy summers Temps 75°F-90°F Mild cool winters Rain from moist Gulf air Adequate precipitation Long growing season (citrus, peanuts) Vegetation Broadleaf evergreens Deciduous evergreens Temperate grassland Western portion of region

Peanut Farm in Georgia

Arkansas

Mississippi Alligator Pelican Crawfish

Types of Climates: Mediterranean Vegetation Mediterranean shrub Coniferous forest Temperate grassland Long growing season: rich farming area for fruits/veges Climate Summers: dry, sunny, warm Winters: mild, somewhat rainy Temp. range: 50°F - 80°F year round

Napa Valley, CA

Types of Climates: Semiarid Climate Very dry Only 15 in./yr On leeward side of Rockies Large range of temperatures Vegetation Temperate Grassland Short grasses and shrubs Some Coniferous forest

Texas Panhandle

Montana

Prairie Dog Pronghorn Antelope Coyote Badger

Types of Climates: Desert Climate Hot & dry <10 in. rain/year Vegetation Desert & dry shrub Cactus plants Much area is barren/sand

Sonoran Desert

Mojave Desert

Horny Toad Roadrunner Sidewinder Scorpion Javelina

Types of Climates: Tropical Wet Climate Temps vary only a few degrees in the 70’s High precipitation ~450 in./year Vegetation Lush rain forests

Hawai’i Waterfall, Hawai’i

Oahu

Humpback Whale Iiwi Hawaiian Monk Seal Pacific Green Turtle

Types of Climates: Tropical Wet & Dry Climate Nearly always warm Wet and dry season Vegetation Tall grasses Scattered trees Everglades Huge swampland covering sq.mi.

Florida Everglades

Great Blue Heron Yellow Rat Snake Alligator