1. Physical Characteristics
Indicator 1.1

2. Climate Four climate zones: 1. Tropical 2. Dry 3. Midlatitude
4. High-latitude
All support different biomes, major types of ecological community defined primarily by distinctive natural vegetation and animal groups.

4. Tropics
Tropical rain forests have an average daily temperature of 80°F, humid, and rains almost daily.
Average Annual rainfall-
inches
Biome- thick vegetation
growth in layers, lots of wildlife
Amazon River basin

5. Tropics
Tropical wet/dry climates have two distinct seasons with year round high temperatures.
Sunlight is not blocked by trees
Found in Africa, Central/South America, Asia, and Australia
Biome- highly specialized plants/animals

6. Dry Climates
Two types: Semi-arid (steppes) and arid- both found in low latitudes and midlatitudes.
Steppes- away from oceans, less humid
Warm summers/harshly cold winters
Found on every continent

7. Dry Climates
Deserts- extremely dry areas with less than 10 in of rain per year
Support very small amount of plant/animal life
Oasis- lush vegetation found in deserts fed by underground springs

8. Midlatitude & High-Latitude Climates
Four temperate regions:
Humid subtropical
Marine west coast
Mediterranean
Humid continental

9. Humid Subtropical
Short, mild winters, and year-round rain all maintained by wind patterns and high pressures from nearby oceans.
Vegetation: prairies, deciduous forests
Brazil, Japan, Australia, India
Coniferous- vegetation with cones and needle-shaped leaves that keep foliage in winter.
Deciduous- sheds seasonally; loses leaves in autumn

10. Marine west coast
Between the latitudes of 30° N to 60° N and 30° S to 60° S. Ocean winds bring cool damp winters. Rainfall supports mixed forests (both coniferous & deciduous trees).

11. Mediterranean Mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers.
Vegetation- woody bushes/short trees
Lands surrounding the Mediterranean Sea

12. Humid Continental Landforms influence climate
Do not experience the moderating effect of ocean winds
More north, more
snowy & cold

13. Subarctic Winters:bitterly cold, summers: short & cool
Have widest temperature range
Permafrost is permanently frozen ground under thin layer of soil

14. Tundra Winter darkness & bitter cold last for months
Summer has limited warming
Vegetation cannot penetrate extremely thick permafrost, so only bushes, low grass, and moss grow

16. Climate Change
Avg. Global Temperature has increased 1.4 degrees farenheit
Indicators of Climate change include
Rising global temps
Severe Weather changes
Increase in severe weather events
Rising sea levels
Scientists disagree what causes climate change
Greenhouse gas emissions are also contributing factors to climate change
Acid Rain is caused by gases from burning fossil fuels mixing with water. It can destroy forests
Burning fossil fuels can also heat the atmosphere throgh exhaust that can form smog