Learning Goals of This Chapter 8: Climate • Review the controls of Climate we have learned throughout this courses. • Describe the five climate groups and the special category used to classify climate by the modified Köppen system. • Explain how a climograph is used to show climate classification. • Identify the fourteen climate types and their temperature and precipitation characteristics; examples of their flora (plant) and fauna (animal) and their spatial distribution (World & USA). • Understand a major environmental issues, such as deforestation, the cause, the effect and the spatial distribution. © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. Learning Goals of This Chapter • Review the three main reasons for dry desert climates. • Understand the environmental issue of desertification, the causes, the effect and the spatial distribution. © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. Controls of Climate Review: Latitude • Vertical Rays of the Sun provide higher intensity energy to Tropical regions - warmer • Low angle sun rays and shorter light duration, provide less energy to polar regions - cooler © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. Controls: Atmospheric Pressure Belts • 0 Equator: warm air rising, heavy rain (ITCZ) • 30 Subtropical High: dry descending air, warms, lowers RH Deserts • 60 Polar Front: warm, moist air collides with cold, dry air – heavy rain • 90 Poles: sinking cold, dry air – cold deserts © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. Controls of Climate Review: Land & Water • Coastal Water: thermal stability, heats and cools slowly, moderate temp, higher precipitation • Interior Land: extreme range of rapid heating and cooling temp and drier. © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. Controls of Climate Review: Altitude • Air Pressure and Air Temperature Decrease with Altitude • Higher Altitude – Thinner, less dense air, more space between molecules, less collision(less heat) – cooler © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. Controls of Climate Review: Ocean Currents • Cooler Ocean: cooler ocean, cooler air sinks, higher surface pressure, lowers RH – dry conditions • Warmer Ocean: warm water, warm air rise, lower surface pressure, rising warm air cools to dew point rain © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. Controls of Climate: Mountain Topography • Windward Side: air rises, cools to dew points – rain • Leeward Side: air descends, warms, lowers RH – dry deserts © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. Koppen Climate Classification System • Weather: day to day atmospheric conditions – temperature and precipitation (that day) • Climate: long term average pattern (30 plus years) • Based on a database of annual and monthly average temperature and precipitation • Four of five major groups classified by temperature • Fifth group classified by precipitation • The five groups subdivided further based on temperature and precipitation relationships • Köppen letter code system – three letters – first describes group – second describes precipitation – third describes temperature © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. Climate Classification • The modified Köppen classification system © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. • test © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. United States Climate Zones © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. Climograph: • Annual Precipitation by monthly totals • Annual Temperature by monthly totals • Los Angeles example © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. Tropical Humid Climates (Group A) • Molded by the tropical latitudinal regions 0 – 23 ½ N/S – Winterless climates; little temperature change – Moisture is prevalent; influenced by ITCZ © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. Tropical Wet (Rainforest (Af) - Equatorial • Precipitation: year round – Type: Convergence (ITCZ) and Convectional (temp) – Average: 60 – 100 inches – Variations are the seasons • Temperature: year round high sun – Average: 80 F – Monotonous climate – Annual Range: within 3 degrees, no seasons – Daily temperature range exceeds annual range © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. Tropical Wet (Rainforest (Af) - Flora • Trees: Selva – Broadleaf evergreen – 3 layers creates canopy, blocks sun • Plants: – Lianas (vines): – Ferns & Palms: – Epiphytes (orchid) © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. Tropical Wet (Rainforest (Af) - Fauna • Arboreal (tree dwelling): – Birds: parrots, toucan – Reptiles: lizards, snakes – Monkeys: • Ground: – Insects: beetles, butterflies, spiders, ants, mosquitoes – Small Mammals: tapir, jaguar – Amphibians: frogs • Streams: – Tropical Fish: piranha and freshwater tropical fish pets – Crocodiles © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. Tropical Wet (Rainforest (Af) - Location • World Location: – Amazon (Brazil) 1/3rd – Indonesia-Malaysian – C Africa (Zaire/Congo) • USA Location: – S/E Florida: Fort Lauderdale – West Palm Beach – Hawaii: windward side, Hilo © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. Environmental Issue: Rainforest Deforestation • Definition: removal of a forest for non-forest use • Logging Lumber (19%): – Hardwoods export – Building material / Paper – Fuel (charcoal) • Burning Trees: – Slash and Burn Agriculture (48%) – Commercial Agriculture (32%) • rubber, coffee, palm oil • Beef cattle © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. Rainforest Deforestation: Problems • 50% gone in last 50 year – Greenhouse Effect: burning releases CO2 and destroys trees which remove CO2 – Mass Extinction: contains 80% of planet’s species; medical cures; habitat destruction; soil erosion © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. Rainforest Deforestation: Location • Brazil (Amazon); Africa (Congo); Indonesia (Borneo) © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. Rainforest Deforestation: Solutions • • • • Replanting of Trees Sustainable Palm Oil Recycle Less Beef © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. Tropical Monsoonal Climates (Am) • Precipitation: wind shift – Winter: short dry (2-3 months) – Summer: heavy, very wet (monsoon) – Average: 100 – 200 “, flooding • Temperature: – Average: 81 F – Range: some annual (ATR) and daily (DTR) range; seasons © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. Tropical Monsoonal Climates (Am) • Flora: – Trees: mixed evergreen and semi-deciduous, lower (50 ft) farther apart; Ex: Teak – Plants: dense jungle undergrowth; bamboo • Fauna: less diversity – Leaf Eaters: panda; antelope, rhino – Carnivores: tigers © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. Tropical Monsoonal Climates (Am) • World Location: – Asia: India; Bangladesh; Philippines; N/E Vietnam; Hainan; Myanmar; Thailand – S and Central America: Brazil – W & Central Africa: • USA Location: – Miami Florida – Hawaii: around Af © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. Tropical Savannah Climates (Aw) • Precipitation: wet and dry – Winter: dry season (3-6 months) subtropical high – Summer: wet (3060”) ICTZ • Temperature: – Average: 65 – 80 F – Range: 10 - 20 degrees, seasons © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. Tropical Savannah Climates (Aw) • Flora: grasslands – Tall Tropical Grassland: 3-6’ and thorny bushes – Trees: widely dispersed drought and fire resistant deciduous; Ex: Acacia • Fauna: – Herbivores: giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, kangaroos (Australia) – Carnivores: lions, cheetahs – Scavengers: hyena, vultures © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. Tropical Savannah Climates (Aw) • World Location – C Africa: Kenya – S America: Venezuela; S Brazil – SE Asia: Cambodia, Thailand, S Vietnam; India; N Australia • USA Location: – S Florida: Everglades, Key West – Hawaii: Honolulu © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. Dry Climates (Group B) – lack of precipitation • Conditions for Dry Climate – 30% Earth surface – Subtropical High: eastside of oceans, subsiding air (low lat) – Continental Interior: distance from moisture (mid latitude) – Rainshadow: leeside of mountains (mid latitude) © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. Subtropical Desert Climate (BWh) • Precipitation: – Average: < 10” – Unreliable, intense, summer, convectional • Temperature: – Average: 65 – 100 F – Range: large ATR & DTR © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. Subtropical Desert Climate (BWh) • Flora: – Xerophytic: drought resistant; shrubs (< 3’), super blooms (rains) – Succulent: store moisture; Yucca, Joshua Tree; cactus Fauna: nocturnal (night) – Burrowing: kangaroo rat; desert tortoise – Insects & Reptiles: scorpion; snakes, Gila Monsters – Birds: hawks, roadrunner – Mammals: camel, coyote © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. Subtropical Desert Climate (BWh - hot) • BWh World: – – – – N Africa – Sahara S Africa – Kalahari SW Asia: Arabian Australia: • BWh USA: – S/W USA – S/E CA: Mojave, Death Valley – S/W Arizona (Yuma) – Nevada (Las Vegas) © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. Subtropical Desert Climate (BWk) - cold • High latitude/ High Altitude / Inland • BWk World: – Central Asia: Gobi – S America: Chile Atacama driest • BWk USA: – Great Basin (E of Sierra Nevada, W Nevada, Utah (St George) – W Texas: El Paso © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. Dry Subtropical Steppe Climates (BS) • Precipitation: – Average: 10 (mid lat) – 20” (low lat) – summer convectional • Temperature: – Average: 65 – 100 F – Cooler, less extremes © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. Dry Subtropical Steppe Climates (BS) • Flora: – Short Grass Prairie – Mesquite trees • Fauna: – Grazing: bison, antelope, pronghorn – Burrowing: prairie dogs, gophers – Birds: hawks, birds of prey © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. Dry Subtropical Steppe Climates (BSh) • World: surround BWh – N Africa: Sahel • USA: – S California: Riverside, San Bernardino – Arizona: Tucson – W Texas: Odessa © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. Dry Subtropical Steppe Climates (BSk) • World: surround BWk – Inner Asia: Mongolia • USA: – Great Plains: Colorado Montana – S California: Lancaster © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. Environmental Issue: Desertification • Definition: the process of fertile soil transforming into desert typically as a result of climate and human factors. • Action: vegetation such as grass, plants and tress protect soil and add nutrients to soil. When top fertile layer of soil is bare, it dries out and is exposed to erosion (wind, water). Loss of top soil layer affects soil quality to become degraded and unproductive. © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. Environmental Issue: Desertification • Reasons: loss of vegetation cover – 20% Climate Changes: drought, climatic shift, global warming – 80 % Human Actions: heighten by over population • Agriculture Practices: plowing, dries soil, compacts soil • Overgrazing: stationary herds strip all vegetation • Deforestation: used for fuel or construction © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. Desertification: Impact • Human: crop failure, famine, starvation/death and human migration • Environment: dust storms © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. Desertification: Solutions • Reforestation: – Green Wall of China – Great Green Wall (Sahel) • Stop Overgrazing: – Moving herds around • Agriculture Practices: – No plowing – Terracing contour plowing © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. Desertification: Regions • Sahel, Africa • Gobi Desert, China © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. Mild Midlatitude Climates (Group C) • Transition between warmer tropical climates and colder severe midlatitude climates; four seasons © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. Humid Subtropical Climates (Cfa) • Precipitation: – Summer: max, convective and tropical storms – Winter: mid-latitude fronts – Average: 40 (interior) – 60” (coastal) • Temperature: av 60 F – Summer: hot, humid – Winter: mild to cool © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. Humid Subtropical Climates (Cfa) • Flora: – Tall Grass Prairie (drier) – Trees: mixed; coniferous (coastal pine) and broadleaf deciduous (oak, walnut • Fauna: – Forest: deer, bear, fox, squirrels – Swamp/Marshes: alligators, opossum, raccoon © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. Humid Subtropical Climates (Cfa) • World Location: – E Asia: South China; S Japan – S/E S America: Argentina; Uruguay, S Brazil – E Australia • USA Location: – S/E US (Cotton and Tobacco Belt) E Texas to N Florida – Oklahoma to Washington DC © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. Marine West Coast Climates (Cfb) • Precipitation: year round – Winter max, frontal & orographic; foggy, cloudy – Average: 30 – 60” • Temperature: maritime effect – Winter: mild, cool – Summer: warm – Average: 50 F © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. Marine West Coast Climates (Cfb) • Flora: year round – Trees: evergreen coniferous forest (pine, cedar, fir, coastal redwoods – Ground: ferns and mosses • Fauna: forest and marine animals – Birds: eagle, owls – Sea: whales, sea lions, otters, Salmon – Elk, wolves, bears © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. Marine West Coast Climates (Cfb) • World Location: – N/W Europe: N Spain, England; France; Germany – S/E Australia; New Zealand; Tasmania • USA Location: – Pacific Northwest: Oregon; Washington – Canada: British Columbia © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. Mediterranean Climates (Csa/Csb) • Precipitation: shift in belts – Summer: dry, subtropical high (fire season) – Winter: max; polar front drops – Average: 16” – 25” (poles) • Temperature: – Winter: mild – Summer: long, warm, hot – Average: 60 F © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. Mediterranean Climates (Csa/Csb) • Flora: – Deciduous: spaced, oak – Chaparral: low-dense shurbs - Manzanita • Fauna: – Mule deer, coyotes, mountain lion – Reptiles: lizards, snakes – Birds: seed eating © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. Mediterranean Climates (Csa/Csb) • World: – Mediterranean Sea: Italy. Turkey, Spain – S America: Central Chile • USA: – Csa: inland; Los Angeles, Pasadena, Sacramento Valley – Csb: coastal; Long Beach, Santa Barbara, San Jose, San Francisco © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. Severe Midlatitude Climates (Group D) • Only in Northern Hemisphere 40 – 70 N – Continentality – remoteness from oceans – Four recognizable seasons; long, cold winter and short summer – Sufficient precipitation to support some type of forest vegetation © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. Humid Continental Climate (Dfa / Dfb) • Precipitation: year round – Summer: max (frontal) – Winter: snow only – Average: 20” (int & north) – 50” (coast & south) • Temperature: – Summer: long warm/hot – Winter: long cold – Average: 50 F, large ATR © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. Humid Continental Climate (Dfa / Dfb) • Flora: – Dry Interior: tall grass prairie, modified wheat, corn belts, dairy (cheese) – Coast: mixed forest; coniferous pines, broadleaf deciduous (cedar, aspen) • Fauna: – Grazing: bison, pronghorn – Forest: badger, fox, wolverine, mink, otter © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. Humid Continental Climate (Dfa / Dfb) • World: – N Asia: N/E China (Beijing, Manchuria; N Japan; N Korea – Central Europe: • USA: – Central & N/E US (Dakotas, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan New York, Maine – Chicago, Pittsburg, Philadelphia, NYC © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. Subarctic Climates (Dfc / Dfd) 55 - 70 N • Precipitation: lower – Summer: max; frontal – Winter: dry, polar high – Average: 5 – 20” • Temperature: – Summer: short, cool summer – Winter: long, dark, and bitterly cold – Average: 15 F – Largest annual temperature ranges (i.e. –90°F to 98°F in Verhoyansk, Siberia) © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. Subarctic Climates (Dfc / Dfd) 55 - 70 N • Flora: slow growth – Coniferous Forest: spruce, fir, pine, hemlock, larches • Fauna: – Mammals: deer, elk, moose, grizzly bear, beaver, porcupine, lynx, Siberian tiger – Summer nesting Birds: eagle, geese, waterfowl © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. Subarctic Climates (Dfc / Dfd) 55 - 70 N • World: – Eurasia (Norway – Pacific Ocean) – Russia: Siberia • USA (N America): – Alaska: Juneau – Boreal Forest: Canada - Eurasia © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. Polar Climates (Groups E) – 66 ½ N/S • Little Insolation, Extremely Dry; Extremely Cold – No average temperature above 50°F © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. Polar Tundra Climates (ET) – N Hemisphere • Precipitation: – Summer: frontal < 10” max – Winter (8-10 months): dry; light snow • Temperature: – Summer: brief, cool (above freezing) – Winter: long, cold and dark – Average: 10 F © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. Polar Tundra Climates (ET) – N Hemisphere • Flora: – Permafrost: permanently frozen layer of subsoil – Mosses & lichen, stunted willows (treeline) • Fauna: – Caribou; wolves; snow fox, polar bear, Arctic hare © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. Polar Tundra Climates (ET) – N Hemisphere • World: – Arctic Zone: extreme N America; N Eurasia • USA: N Alaska © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. Polar Ice Cap Climates (Groups EF) 80-90 N/S • Precipitation: low < 5” – All snow, cold polar desert • Temperature: < 32 F • Flora: none - Ice • Fauna: – Mainly Greenland and most of Antarctica © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. Polar Ice Cap Climates (Groups EF) 80-90 N/S • Fauna: – Penguins, walrus, seals • Location – Mainly Greenland and most of Antarctica © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. Summary • Climate is classified based on precipitation and temperature. • There are six primary groups of world climates. • The tropical humid climates exist at tropical latitudes and are characterized by warm, constant temperatures and rainfall. • Dry climates exist near the subtropics and are characterized by hot, dry conditions. • Mild midlatitude climates constitute a transition between warmer tropical climates and cold severe midlatitude climates. © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. Summary • Mild midlatitude climates typically have long and hot summers and mild winters, and they have modest precipitation. • Severe midlatitude climates only occur in the Northern Hemisphere. • Severe midlatitude climates have long, cold winters and short summers, and they have large annual temperature ranges. • Polar climates receive little insolation and are permanently cold and dry. © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. Climate Classification: Patterns; Distribution, Flora and Fauna Introduction: Climate, the long term pattern (temperature, precipitation) of a region is the summary of all the weather and climate factors we have learned in this course from the Earth-Sun Relationship; the Atmospheric Circulation; the Ocean Circulation and the impact of Land (topography, heating process) has on determining the amount of precipitation and the variation of temperature. Temperature and Precipitation in turn affect the plants that can grow and the animal life that can exist in these regions. We will divide the world into five general Climate Zones that have unique temperature and precipitation characteristics. Each of these zones are further divided into smaller unique biomes in which we will determine the precipitation and temperature patterns for each, along with the reasons why; and the unique plant and animal life in each. For some sections we will look at unique environmental issues, caused by mankind and how they specifically effect these biomes. I. Review of Weather and Climate Controls A. Latitude: vertical rays of the sun and temperature 1. Tropical Regions: 2. Polar Regions: B. Atmospheric Circulation Pressure Belts: 1. ICTZ: seasonal shift, strong source of precipitation 2. Subtropical High: dry, desert conditions 3. Subpolar Low: battle between cold, dry air and warm, moist air – heavy rain C. Land and Water Distribution: 1. Temperature: land heats up/cools off quickly; water thermal stability 2. Precipitation: moist coastal area; dry interior D. Altitude: increase height, decrease temperature / decrease pressure E. Ocean Circulation: 1. Warm Current: low pressure, wet conditions 2. Cold Current: high pressure, dry conditions F. Topography: Precipitation: windward (rain) and leeward (rain shadow) II. 1 Koppen Climatic Classification System (see attached handout) III. A Climate: Tropical, tropic zones (0-23 N/S ) – wettest in the world; winterless A. Af: Tropical Wet - Rainforest: (0-10 N/S) - Equatorial 1. Precipitation: year round - constantly moist (humid & cloudy) a. Type: Convergence (ITCZ) and Convectional (temp) - thunderstorms b. Average: 60” – 100” 2. Temperature: year round high sun, even day length - monotonous a. Average: 80 F b. Annual Range : w/i 3 degrees, no seasons; small ATR / DTR 3. Flora (vegetation): a. Trees: i. Tropical Rainforest: (Selva) 3 tree layers (160-200’, 65-135’, 15-50’) create canopy, blocks light, limiting undergrowth. ii. Other Trees: rubber, hardwood (mahogany) b. Plants: Epiphyte: grows on another plant, but not parasitic, ex. Orchid. 4. Fauna (wildlife): large diversity a. Arboreal: b. Ground: c. Streams: 5. Location: a. World: b. United States: 2 6. Environmental Issue: a. b. c. Problems: 1. 2. d. Location: e. Solutions: 1. 2. 3. 3 B. Am: Tropical Monsoon:10 – 23 1/2 N/S 1. Precipitation: wind reversal pattern (ICTZ migration, land differential heating) a. Winter: short dry (2-3 months) b. Summer: heavy, very wet (monsoon season) c. Average: 100 – 200”, flooding 2. Temperature: year round high sun a. Average: 81 F b. Range: some annual and diurnal range; seasons 3. Flora: a. Trees: b. Plants: 4. Fauna: 5. Location: a. World: b. United States: C. Aw: Tropical Savanna ( wet and dry ) transitional (10 – 23 N/S) around Af, Am 1. Precipitation: season shift in pressure belts (ITCZ and Subtropical High) a. Winter: dry season (3-6 months), high pressure b. Summer: wet (30-60”) convergence and convectional 2. Temperature: high sun year round a. Average: 65 – 80 F (cooler) b. Range: 10 – 20 degrees, has seasons 3. Flora: Savanna means – grassland 4 a. Tall Tropical Grassland b. Trees: 4. Fauna: Big Game – lion king a. Herbivores: b. Carnivores: c. Scavengers: 5. Location: a. World: b. United States: IV. B Climate: Dry – Evaporation > Precipitation; 15 -30 N/S – 30% of World A. Conditions For Desert Formation Low lat 1. Subtropical High: Mid lat 2. Continental Interior: Mid lat 3. Rainshadow: B. BW: true desert, arid 1. Precipitation: very dry < 10” low reliability; intense, mainly summer (convectional), dominated by subtropical high 2. Temperature: Average 65 – 100 F, with a large annual and diurnal range (20 – 40 degrees) 3. Flora : 4. Fauna: adapted to conditions – Nocturnal (night) a. b. c. d. 5 Burrowing rodents Insects & reptiles Birds: Mammals: 5. Location: a. BWh (hot desert): 25-30 degrees, west side of continents World: United States: b. BWk (cold desert): high latitude / high altitude World: United States: C. BS: Steppe, semi-arid ; transitional, borders BW climates 1. Precipitation: Average: 10” (mid-lat) – 20” ( low-lat) less influence by subtropical high, summer convection 2. Temperature: av. 65 – 100 F 3. Flora: 4. Fauna: a. Burrowing animals: b. Grazing animals: c. Birds: 5. Location: a. BSh: (hot) World: United States: 6 b. BSk: (cold) World: United States: D. Environmental Issue: 1. Definition: the process of fertile soil transforming into desert typically as a result of climate and human factors 2. Action: vegetation such as grass, plants and trees protect soil and add nutrients to soil. When top fertile layer of soil is bare, it dries out and is exposed to erosion (wind, water). Loss of top soil layer affects soil quality to become degraded and unproductive. 3. Reasons: a. b. 4. Impact a. 5. Solution a. b. 6. Regions 7 V. C Climate: Mild Midlatitude Climates – four seasons (transitional) A. Cfa: humid subtropical: 25 – 45 N/S; southeast side of continents 1. Precipitation: heavy, year round a. Summer: max, convective and tropical storms b. Winter: mid-latitude fronts c. Average: 40 (interior) – 60” (coastal) 2. Temperature Average: 60F a. Summer: hot, humid b. Winter: mild to cool 3. Flora: a. Tall-grass prairie b. Trees: 4. Fauna: a. Forest Animals b. Swamp / marshes animals: 5. Location: 30 Latitude, eastside of continents a. World: b. United States: B. Cfb: Marine West Coast: 35 – 50 N/S, North West side 1. Precipitation: year round (foggy, cloudy and rainy) 8 a. Winter: maximum, frontal & orographic b. Average: 30 – 60”( mountains) 2. Temperature: moderate range, maritime effect a. Winter: mild cool & Summer: warm b. Average: 50 F 3. Flora: a. Trees: b. Ground: 4. Fauna: 5. Location: a. N/W America: b. N/W Europe: C. Csa/b: Mediterranean: 30 – 40 N/S; Southwest coast 1. Precipitation: controlled by shift in atmospheric belts a. Summer: dry, subtropical- high influence (fires) b. Winter Max: frontal, polar front drops c. Average: 16”(eq) – 25”(poles) 2. Temperature Average: 60 F Winter: mild, Summer: long, warm – hot 3. Flora: a. Low-dense shrubs b. spaced deciduous trees 9 4. Fauna: a. Deer, coyote, mountain lions b. Reptiles and seed eating birds 5. Location: 35 Latitude – westside of continents a. World: b. United States: VI. Severe Midlatitude - Microthermal Climates: (Continental); 40 – 70 N only A. Dfa/b: Humid Continental 40-55 N, eastside 1. Precipitation: year round with summer maximum (frontal), Winter mostly snow. Average: 20” (int & north) – 50” (coast & south) 2. Temperature Average: 50 F; large ATR Summer: long warm/hot 3. Flora: a. Interior: b. Coast: 4. Fauna: a. Tall grass: b. Forest: c. Northern latitudes: 5. Location: a. World: b. United States: 10 Winter: long cold B. Dfc/d: Subarctic, 55 – 70 N 1. Precipitation: lower, colder air a. Summer: maximum, frontal. b. Winter: dry, polar high c. Average: 5 – 20” 2. Temperature Average :15 F; big ATR a. Summer: shorter, cool summer b. Winter: harsh cold, dark 3. Flora: slow plant growth, short growing season Coniferous forest: spruce, fir, pine, larches, hemlocks 4. Fauna: a. Animals: b. Summer nesting birds: 5. Location: Boreal Forest a. World: b. United States: VII. Polar Climates: 66 1/2 N/S A. ET: tundra; N. Hem only 1. Precipitation: dominated by polar high a. Summer: frontal < 10” maximum b. Winter: dry; light snow 8-10 months. 2. Temperature Average: 10 F, length of day, little sun a. Summer: brief, cool (above freezing) b. Winter: long, cold and dark (24 hrs) – 22 F 3. Flora: 11 Permafrost: permanently frozen layer of subsoil 4. Fauna: 5. Location: B. EF: ice- cap around 80 – 90 N/S 1. Precipitation: low < 5” , all snow, cold polar desert 2. Temperature: always < 32 F 3. Flora: permanent frozen ice, unavailable for vegetation 4. Fauna: 5. Location: 12 KOPPEN CLIMATE SYSTEM 1st Letter (capital) A. 1. Determined by Temperature ( Latitude) 20% a. A: (Tropical): coldest month > 64.4 F 16% b. C: (Moist Mid-Latitude Mesothermal) moderate heat: 1 month > 50F; coldest 32 – 64.4 21% c. D: (Moist Mid-Latitude Microthermal – continental): 1 month > 50 F; coldest < 32 F 17% d. E: (Polar ): potential evapotranspiration exceeds precipitation 2. Determined by Evaporation 26% a. B: (dry): potential evapotranspiration exceeds precipitation 2nd Letter – generally precipitation B. C. 1. For A, C and D Climates; determined by moisture pattern ( small case) a. F: all year, driest month at least 2.4” b. M: short dry season, usually moist w/ surplus c. W/S: dry in winter, dry in summer 2. For B climate ( precipitation totals, caps) a. S: Semi-Arid: precipitation less than potential evapotranspiration b. W: Arid: precipitation < ½ BS (arid) 3. For E Climate ( temp of warmest month) a. T: warmest month between 32-50 F b. F: warmest month < 32 F Third Letter: temperature 1. Used for C and D Climates a. A: warmest month above 71.6 F ( hot summer) b. B: warmest month < 71.6 F, but 4 months above 50F ( warm summer) c. C: warmest month < 71.6 F, but 1-3 months above 50F (cool summer) d. D: warmest month < 71.6 F, but 1-3 months above 50 F and coldest month below -36.4 F ( damn cold winter) 2. Used for B Climate a. h: mean annual temperature > 64.4 F b. k: mean annual temperature < 64.4 F Information on Climate Groups will be divided into the following sections. 1. 2. 3. Precipitation: Temperature: Floral (vegetation) 4. 5. 6. Fauna (wildlife): Location: Environmental Issues: Question 5 1 pts Which of the following is not one one of the three major tropical A Climates? mediterranean savanna rainforest monsoon
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