Ch 1: Climates Of The Globe

Question 1

Snow climates can be found between what latitudes?

Answer 1

35-70 degrees north latitude

Question 2

What are the two types of snow climates?

Answer 2

1. Continental subarctic

2. Humid continental

Question 3

Describe the continental subarctic climate

Answer 3

Freezing temps 6-7 months of the year and ground frozen to depth of several feet. Seasonal extremes of day/night. Temperature ranges from -100F to 110F and can fluctuate by more than 50*F over several hours.

Question 4

Describe the humid continental climate

Answer 4

10-40” of percipitation, with less temperature extremes than continental subarctic. Seasonal extremes of day/night.

Question 5

What kind of wildlife can be found in snow climates?

Answer 5

1. Vegetation similar to temperate climates, tend to shorter root systems
2. Large game like caribou, reindeer, goats, musk and oxen.
3. Small game like snowshoe hare, mice, lemming, and ground squirrels.

Question 6

Ice climates can be found between what latitudes?

Answer 6

North of 50 degrees north latitude and south of 45 degrees south latitude

Question 7

What are the three types of ice climates?

Answer 7

1. Marine subarctic
2. Tundra
3. Ice cap

Question 8

Describe the marine subarctic climate.

Answer 8

Persistently cloudy, strong winds, and high rainfall. Often found in coasts, islands, and ocean. Typically between 50-60 degrees north latitude and 45-60 degrees south latitude

Question 9

Describe the tundra climate

Answer 9

Average temperature below 50*F and persistently cloudy. Can be subdivided by vegetation:

1. Shrub tundra zone
2. Wooded tundra zone
3. Bog tundra zone

Question 10

Where can desert climates be found?

Answer 10

Approximately 20 deserts around the world covering ~15% of the Earth’s total land surface. Typically found within 15-35 degrees latitude of the equator.

Question 11

Describe the desert climate

Answer 11

20% of the world’s deserts covered in sand, 50% in gravel plains, and the rest vary as mountains, rocky plateaus, and salt marshes.

Question 12

How are deserts classified and what are those classifications?

Answer 12

Classified by location and weather patterns:

1. High pressure deserts
2. Rain-shadow deserts
3. Continental desert
4. Cool coastal desert
5. Polar desert

Question 13

Describe the high pressure desert

Answer 13

Occurs at polar regions and between 20-30 degrees latitude on either side of the equator. High atmospheric pressure causing dry air to descend which absorbs moisture

Question 14

Describe the polar desert.

Answer 14

Less than 10” precipitation a year with temps rarely above 50*F.

Question 15

Describe the rain-shadow desert

Answer 15

Occurs on the leeward side of a mountain as it block moist winds.

Question 16

Describe continental deserts

Answer 16

Occur in the center of large continents where winds lose moisture crossing land

Question 17

Describe coastal deserts

Answer 17

Occur on the western coastlines near the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. Cold ocean currents meet warm land and prevent moisture transfer.

Question 18

What kind of wildlife can be found in deserts?

Answer 18

Plants survive are either drought escaping (rapid reproduction when rain arrives), drought resistant (storing water in stems and leaves), drought enduring (very efficient water absorption), or get water from sources other than precipitation. Plants often have thorns and tannins/resins to prevent animals from eating them.

Small game often live in burrows during the day and large game are active in the day but seek shade.

Question 19

Where can rainforests be found?

Answer 19

Between 23.5 degrees north and south latitude. World’s largest rainforest is in Brazil.

Question 20

Describe the rainforest biome

Answer 20

Abundance of rainfall, vegetation, and biodiversity. Typically has temperatures over 64.5*F and more than 80” of annual precipitation.

Question 21

What kind of wildlife can be found in rainforests?

Answer 21

1. Plants are abundant and large trees create a canopy, midstory, and understory.
2. ~90% of animals are insects, with most being beetles. Mammals are often nocturnal and the most common mammals are bats. Other mammals include primates, elephants, tapirs, rodents, and pigs.

Question 22

Where can temperate forests be found?

Answer 22

Between 23.5-66.5 degrees latitude on either side of the equator.

Question 23

What are the five categories of temperate forests and their defining characteristics?

Answer 23

1. Moist Coniferous- wet winters and dry summers
2. Evergreen Broadleaf- wet winters and dry summers
3. Mediterranean- mostly winter precipitation
4. Temperate coniferous- mild winters, high annual precipitation
5. Temperate broadleaf- frost free winters and high precipitation

Question 24

Describe the wildlife of temperate forests

Answer 24

1. Either deciduous trees (broad leaves that fall in winter) or coniferous trees (thin leaves, typically evergreen).
2. Small mammals like squirrels, rabbits, skunks, deer, and birds.