2.5 Climate and natural vegetation

Question 1

Location of the equatorial climate

Answer 1

Along the equator - 5degrees N/S

Question 2

Temperature of the equatorial climate

Answer 2

27C all year. small range (2-3C)

Question 3

Average annual rainfall of the equatorial climate

Answer 3

2000mm/year

Question 4

Humidity of the equatorial climate

Answer 4

High

Question 5

What factors make the equatorial climate as it is? (3)

Answer 5

Latitude - sun shines more concentrated all year round, insolation is high, temperatures rise.
Altitude - lowland = warmer temperatures.
Air pressure - low pressure creates heavy rainfall.

Question 6

Location of the hot desert climate

Answer 6

5 - 20 degrees N/S of the equator

Question 7

Temperature of the hot desert climate

Answer 7

30C. Higher range (20C). High diurnal range.

Question 8

Average annual rainfall of the hot desert climate

Answer 8

<250mm/year

Question 9

How does pressure affect the hot desert climate?

Answer 9

High pressure = no clouds = no precipitation + high diurnal range (radiation escapes)

Question 10

Emergents

Answer 10

Taller trees. Grows above others to get sunlight.

Question 11

Canopy

Answer 11

Trees 20m-40m forming a layer. 50% of vegetation.

Question 12

Shrub

Answer 12

Low shrubs. Plants that adapt because they are close to the forest floor.

Question 13

Lianas

Answer 13

Woody vines that use large trees as a support to reach sunlight.

Question 14

Fan palms

Answer 14

Wide-leaved plants to capture as much sunlight as possible.

Question 15

Humus layer

Answer 15

Decaying biological matter - really fertile.

Question 16

Buttress roots

Answer 16

Long roots to support tall trees and suck up maximum amount of nutrients.

Question 17

Drip tip leaves

Answer 17

Leaves that let rainfall travel over them and drip to the ground.

Question 18

Wildlife in rainforests

Answer 18

Tigers (SE asia)
Jaguars (Central/South America)
Primates

Question 19

Succulents

Answer 19

Thick fleshy plants that store water. E.g. cacti

Question 20

Ephemeral

Answer 20

Plants with short life cycle - use more humid seasons to pollinate.

Question 21

Long, wide roots

Answer 21

Absorb more water and provides stability in loose sand.

Question 22

Spiky/Waxy surface

Answer 22

So that they don’t get eaten

Question 23

Wildlife adaptations in hot desert.

Answer 23

Nocturnal animals hide during day and emerge at night.

Camels store fat+water in their humps.

Question 24

Main causes of deforestation (4)

Answer 24

Farming/cattle ranching
Mining
Timber
Settlements

Question 25

Problems with deforestation (4)

Answer 25

Biodiversity loss
Less carbon sequestration sites
No roots - humus is leached = unfertile soil
Indigenous people loose their home