ClimateClimate

November 2011November 2011

ClimateClimate Average weather Average weather conditions of an area conditions of an area over a long period of over a long period of timetime

3 Climate Zones on 3 Climate Zones on EarthEarth TropicalTropical TemperateTemperate PolarPolar

Natural Factors Natural Factors that affect that affect climateclimate

Latitude Latitude (distance from (distance from the equator)the equator)

Natural Factors Natural Factors that affect that affect climateclimate

Prevailing winds in Prevailing winds in the Atmospherethe Atmosphere

Natural Factors Natural Factors that affect that affect climateclimate

Mountain Mountain formationsformations

Natural Factors Natural Factors that affect that affect climateclimate

Large Water Large Water BodiesBodies

Natural Factors Natural Factors that affect that affect climateclimate

Ocean CurrentsOcean Currents

BiomesBiomes Region of similar climateRegion of similar climate Similar plant/animal lifeSimilar plant/animal life Examples:Examples:

TundraTundra Tropical rain forestTropical rain forest

Tropical Tropical (near equator) (near equator)

Rain ForestRain Forest Very poor soilVery poor soil Most diverse Most diverse

place on Earthplace on Earth

TropicalTropical

SavannaSavanna Tall grassTall grass Few treesFew trees Poor soilPoor soil Large mammals Large mammals

TropicalTropical

DesertDesert Very hot and dryVery hot and dry SandySandy Warmer days, cooler nightsWarmer days, cooler nights Small animalsSmall animals Many plants have waxy outer layerMany plants have waxy outer layer

TemperateTemperate (middle latitude) (middle latitude)

ForestForest Deciduous trees mostlyDeciduous trees mostly Fertile soilFertile soil Diverse animal lifeDiverse animal life We live hereWe live here

TemperateTemperate

GrasslandGrassland Warm summerWarm summer Cool wintersCool winters Most fertile soil Most fertile soil

(farming)(farming)

TemperateTemperate

ChaparralChaparral Hot, dry summersHot, dry summers Cool, wet wintersCool, wet winters Moderate precipitationModerate precipitation Low lying plants mostlyLow lying plants mostly Poor soilPoor soil

TemperateTemperate

DesertDesert Little precipitationLittle precipitation Very cold nights (little clouds)Very cold nights (little clouds) Waxy vegetationWaxy vegetation

Polar Polar (near N or S pole)(near N or S pole)

TundraTundra Short rooted plantsShort rooted plants Grow close to groundGrow close to ground Short summerShort summer

Very muddy Very muddy

Long winterLong winter

PolarPolar

TaigaTaiga Long cold wintersLong cold winters Short summersShort summers Coniferous trees (needles)Coniferous trees (needles) Precipitation is moderatePrecipitation is moderate