chapter 10 Flashcards
Climate
the consistent, long-term behaviour of weather over time, including its variability; in contrast to weather, which is the condition of the atmosphere at any given place and time
Climatology
the scientific study of climate and climatic patterns and the consistent behaviour of weather, including its variability and extremes, over time in one place or region; includes the effects of climate change on human society and culture
Climate region
an area of homogenous climate that features characteristic regional weather and air mass patterns
Biogeography
the science that describe distinct regions of broadly similar flora (plants) and fauna (animals)
Ecozone
(sometimes called A biogeographic realm) is a geographic region where a group of associated plant and animal species evolved
Classification
the process of ordering or grouping data or phenomena in related classes; results in a regular distribution of information; a taxonomy
Genetic classification
a climate classification that uses causative factors to determine climatic regions; for example, an analysis of the effect of interacting air masses
Empirical classification
a climate classification based on weather statistics or other data; used to determine general climate categories
Climograph
a graph that plots daily, monthly, or annual temperature and precipitation values for a selected station; may also include additional weather information
Biomes
broad regions, with their associated soil, plant, and animal communities
Classification of climatic regions is based on what
temperature and precipitation
Six basic climate categories
1- tropical (tropical latitudes: 23.5° N -23.5° S)
2- Mesothermal (midlatitudes, mild winter)
3- Microthermal (mid and high latitudes, cold winters)
4- Polar (high latitudes and polar regions
5- Highland (high elevations at all latitudes)
6- Dry (permanent moisture deficits)
Tropical rain forest climate
Tropical rain forest climates are constantly moist and warm, convectional thunderstorms, triggered by local heating and trade-wind convergence, peak each day from mid-afternoon to late evening inland and earlier in the day where marine influence is strong along coastlines, huge canopies and sparse vegetation cover near ground
what affects the tropical rain forest climate region throughout the year
the ITCZ
Tropical Monsoon Climates
-Experiment dry season that lasts 1 or more months, when the ITCZ has moved away from the region
-lie principally along coastal areas within the tropical rain forest climatic realm and experience seasonal variation of wind and precipitation
Tropical savanna climates
Tropical savanna climates are poleward (toward the north pole or south pole) of the tropical rain forest climates, ITCZ reaches these climate regions for about 6 months or less, summers are wetter than winters
why can the Tropical savanna climates have two temperature maximums during the year
because the sun’s direct rays are overhead twice, before and after the summer solstice in each hemisphere as the subsolar point moves between the equator and the tropics
Mesothermal
middle temperature, have warm and temperature climates, where true seasonality begins, mild winter
the 4 climates of mesothermal
- humid subtropical hot-summer climates
- Humid subtropical winter-dry climate
- Marine west coast climates (warm to cool summers)
- Mediterranean dry-summer climates (dry summers)
Humid subtropical hot-summer climates
Humid subtropical hot-summer climates either are moist all year or have a pronounced winter-dry period. in fall, winter, and spring, maritime tropical and continental polar air masses interact, generating frontal activity and frequent midlatitude cyclonic storms. These two mechanisms produce year-round precipitation
what influences the Humid subtropical hot-summer climates during summer
Maritime tropical air masses generated over warm waters off eastern coasts
Humid subtropical winter-dry climates
Humid subtropical winter-dry climates are related to the winter-dry, seasonal pulse of the monsoons. The extend poleward from tropical savanna climates and have a summer month that receives 10 times more precipitation than their driest winter month, flooding, thunderstorms, and tornadoes can happen
Marine west coast climates
featuring mild winters and cool summers, maritime polar air masses, cool, moist, unstable, dominate marine west coast climates, marine west coast climate are unusually mild for their latitude
The mediterranean dry-summer climate
designation specifies that at least 70% of annual precipitation occurs during the winter months. This shifting of stable, warm to hot, dry air over an area in summer and away from that area in winter created a pronounced dry-summer and wet-winter pattern
Microthermal
means cool temperate to cold, humid micro thermal climates have a winter season with some summer warmth, poleward of the mesothermal climates
the 3 climates of microthermal
- Humid Continental Hot-Summer Climates
- Humid Continental Mild-Summer Climates
- Subarctic Climates
Humid Continental Hot-Summer Climates
Humid continental hot-summer climates have the warmest summer temperatures of the microthermal category, have precipitation which may be consistent throughout the year or have a distinct winter-dry period
Humid Continental Mild-Summer Climates
Humid continental mild-summer climates are slightly cooler, and located farther toward the poles, mild-summer climate, frost-free periods range from fewer than 90 days in the northern portions of these regions to as many as 225 days in the southern parts. Less precipitation, but heavier snowfall which its melting is important to soil-moisture recharge
Subarctic Climates
Subarctic climates have very cold winter and cool summers, covered by the so-called snow forests of fir, spruce, larch, and birch are the boreal forests of canada and the alga of russia,
Permafrost
precipitation and potential evapotranspiration both are low, so soils are generally moist and either partially or totally frozen beneath the surface
Polar and Highland Climates
Have no true summer, daylength increases in summer until daylight becomes continuous, yet average monthly temperatures never rise above 10°C. These temperature conditions do not allow tree growth, low sun altitude even during the long summer days, extremes of daylight between winter and summer, extremely low humidity, high surface albedo impacts
- tundra
- ice-cap and ice-sheet
- Polar marine
Tundra Climates
Tundra climates have limited plant growth because of cold temperatures, land is under some snow cover for 8-10 months, with the warmest month above 0°C, yet never warming above 10°C, occur only in the northern hemisphere, except for elevated mountain locations in the southern hemisphere,
Ice-Cap and Ice-Sheet Climates
An ice sheet is a continuous layer of ice covering an extensive continental region, an ice cap is smaller in extent, dry, frigid air masses, receive less than 8 cm of precipitation a year
Polar Marine Climates
Polar marine climates are more moderate than other polar climates in winter, with no month below -7°C, yet overall they are not as warm as tundra climates. Because of marine influences, annual temperature ranges are low. Average precipitation is 150 cm, and it can snow during any month
Dry Climates (permanent moisture deficits)
These dry regions occupy more than 35% of Earth’s land area and are by far the most extensive climate over land. Water demand exceeds the precipitation water supply throughout, creating permanent water deficits
- arid climates; tropical, subtropical hot desert, and midlatitude cold desert regimes
- Semiarid climates; tropical, subtropical hot steppe, and midlatitude cold steppe regimes
Characteristics of Dry Climates
Deserts have greater moisture deficits than do steppes, between 15° and 30° latitude in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres
the 4 climates of dry climates
- Tropical, Subtropical Hot Desert Climates
- Midlatitude Cold Desert Climates
- Tropical, Subtropical Hot Steppe Climates
- Midlatitude Cold Steppe Climates
Steppe
a regional term referring to the vast semiarid grassland biome of Eastern Europe and Asia; the equivalent biome in North America is short-grass prairie, and in Africa, it is the savanna. Steppe in a climatic context is considered too dry to support forest, but too moist to be a desert
Tropical, Subtropical Hot Desert Climates
Tropical, subtropical hot desert climates are Earth’s true tropical and subtropical deserts and feature annual average temperatures above 18°C. Rainfall is from local summer convectional showers. Some regions receive almost no rainfall, whereas others may receive up to 35 cm of precipitation a year
Midlatitude Cold Desert Climates
Lower temperature and lower moisture - demand criteria, rainfall must be low - in the realm of 15 cm - for a station to qualify as a midlatitude cold desert climate
Tropical, Subtropical Hot Steppe Climates
Tropical, subtropical hot steppe climates generally exist around the periphery of hot deserts, where shifting subtropical high-pressure cells create a distinct summer-dry and winter-wet pattern. Average annual precipitation in these climates is usually below 60 cm
Midlatitude Cold Steppe Climates
The midlatitude cold steppe climates occur poleward of about 30° latitude and of the midlatitude cold desert climates. Such midlatitude steppes are not generally found in the Southern Hemisphere. As with other dry climate regions, rainfall in the steppes is widely variable and undependable, ranging from 20 to 40 cm
Effects of climate change
- tropical and subtropical climates to move to higher latitudes
- El Niño and La Niña move to new regions
Storm systems are being pushed further into the midlatitudes - Jet stream is altering, which brings colder air to lower latitudes and - - warmer air to higher latitudes
- Migration of animals species
