Climate And Natural Vegetation

Question 1

What are the main factors influencing world climate distribution?

Answer 1

Latitude, altitude, continentality, ocean currents, aspect, prevailing winds, and pressure systems.

Question 2

How does latitude affect climate?

Answer 2

Temperatures and sunshine hours decrease with distance from the equator due to dispersed solar radiation.

Question 3

What is the effect of altitude on temperature?

Answer 3

Increases in altitude lead to decreases in temperature.

Question 4

What is continentality?

Answer 4

Locations further inland heat up more quickly in summer and cool more quickly in winter.

Question 5

How do ocean currents influence climate?

Answer 5

Warm and cold currents circulate in the oceans, warming or cooling adjacent land.

Question 6

What is the aspect’s role in climate?

Answer 6

In the northern hemisphere, slopes facing south are warmer.

Question 7

How do prevailing winds affect temperature?

Answer 7

Winds from warmer areas bring warmer air, increasing temperatures.

Question 8

What is the impact of pressure systems on climate?

Answer 8

Low-pressure areas create rising air and precipitation, while high pressure leads to dry conditions.

Question 9

Where is the equatorial climate located?

Answer 9

Within the Tropics, 23.5° north and south of the equator, including regions like the Amazon and New Guinea.

Question 10

What is the annual precipitation in equatorial climates?

Answer 10

Over 2,000 mm.

Question 11

What is the temperature range in equatorial climates?

Answer 11

Mean monthly temperatures range from 26-28 °C with a diurnal range of about 7 ºC.

Question 12

What are the seasons like in equatorial climates?

Answer 12

There are no seasons; it is hot and wet all year round.

Question 13

What is the humidity level in equatorial climates?

Answer 13

High, usually over 75-80%.

Question 14

What are the prevailing winds in equatorial regions?

Answer 14

Winds blow from high-pressure areas to the north and south, known as trade winds.

Question 15

What factors influence the equatorial climate?

Answer 15

Midday sun is overhead, low pressure leads to rising air, dense vegetation increases evaporation, and warm air stores water vapor.

Question 16

Where is the hot desert climate located?

Answer 16

15° - 30° north and south of the equator, including regions like the Sahara and Kalahari.

Question 17

What is the annual precipitation in hot desert climates?

Answer 17

Below 250 mm.

Question 18

What is the temperature range in hot desert climates?

Answer 18

Daytime temperatures can reach 50°C, average around 25°C, and night-time temperatures can drop below 0°C.

Question 19

What are the seasons like in hot desert climates?

Answer 19

There are summer and winter seasons.

Question 20

What is the humidity level in hot desert climates?

Answer 20

Low, often between 10-30%.

Question 21

What are the prevailing winds in hot desert climates?

Answer 21

Offshore winds blowing from the east across the land, which do not collect moisture.

Question 22

What factors influence the hot desert climate?

Answer 22

High pressure leads to descending air, little moisture in prevailing winds, and some deserts are in rain shadows.

Question 23

How do pressure systems influence hot desert formation?

Answer 23

Air rises at the equator, cools, and sinks at about 30° north and south, creating high pressure and aridity.

Question 24

Where is the Tropical Rainforest biome mainly found?

Answer 24

In a band between 15° north and 15° south of the equator within the equatorial climate zone.

Question 25

What percentage of the Earth's surface do Tropical Rainforests cover?

Answer 25

6% of the Earth's surface.

Question 26

Which countries are associated with the Amazon rainforest?

Answer 26

Brazil and parts of seven other countries.

Question 27

Which countries are included in Central America for Tropical Rainforests?

Answer 27

Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama.

Question 28

Which countries are part of the Central African Tropical Rainforest region?

Answer 28

Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon.

Question 29

Which countries are included in the Indo-Malaysia region?

Answer 29

Malaysia, Indonesia, and several other countries in South-East Asia.

Question 30

What is the biodiversity level in Tropical Rainforests?

Answer 30

They contain the highest biodiversity of plants and animals on Earth.

Question 31

How many species can a 10 km² area of Tropical Rainforest contain?

Answer 31

Up to 1,500 flowering plants, 750 species of trees, 400 species of birds, and 150 species of butterflies.

Question 32

What is the nutrient cycle like in Tropical Rainforests?

Answer 32

The nutrient cycle is rapid due to high rainfall and temperatures.

Question 33

Why is the soil in Tropical Rainforests not very fertile?

Answer 33

Nutrients are quickly used by plants.

Question 34

What are the five distinct layers of the Tropical Rainforest?

Answer 34

Ground layer (0 m), shrub layer (3-4 m), under canopy (15 m), canopy (30 m), and emergents (45-55 m).

Question 35

What is a plant adaptation in Tropical Rainforests?

Answer 35

Waxy leaves with drip tips to prevent mould growth.

Question 36

What is a unique feature of buttress roots?

Answer 36

They help support very tall trees with shallow roots.

Question 37

What are lianas?

Answer 37

Vines that use tall trees as support to reach sunlight.

Question 38

What are epiphytes?

Answer 38

Plants that grow on trunks and branches of trees, obtaining nutrients from air, rain, or debris.

Question 39

What is a notable animal adaptation in Tropical Rainforests?

Answer 39

Sloths have algae in their fur for camouflage.

Question 40

Where are hot desert biomes mainly found?

Answer 40

In a band around the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn.

Question 41

What percentage of the Earth's surface is covered by hot desert ecosystems?

Answer 41

Approximately 20%.

Question 42

Which deserts are found in North America?

Answer 42

The Mojave and Sonoran Deserts.

Question 43

What is the biodiversity level in hot deserts?

Answer 43

One of the lowest, supporting approximately 5,000–6,000 plant species.

Question 44

What is the nutrient cycle like in hot deserts?

Answer 44

Very slow, with most nutrients stored in the soil.

Question 45

What are some plant adaptations in hot deserts?

Answer 45

Low growing, thick stems for water storage, shallow roots, and small leaves to reduce water loss.

Question 46

What adaptations do camels have for desert survival?

Answer 46

Two sets of eyelashes and nostrils that close to keep sand out.

Question 47

What is a common behavior of animals in hot deserts?

Answer 47

Many animals are nocturnal to avoid daytime heat.

Question 48

What does the food web in hot deserts include?

Answer 48

Producers, primary consumers, secondary consumers, and tertiary consumers.

Question 49

Rainforest

Answer 49

Question 50

What is deforestation?

Answer 50

Deforestation is the felling and clearance of trees.

Question 51

Which countries are experiencing the highest levels of deforestation?

Answer 51

Malaysia, Brazil, India, and Indonesia.

Question 52

What has the Malayan government failed to provide to the FAO?

Answer 52

Figures for forest loss.

Question 53

What natural cause is linked to increased deforestation?

Answer 53

Wildfires, which have increased in frequency and severity due to human-induced climate change.

Question 54

What is one environmental impact of deforestation?

Answer 54

Deforested areas are often planted with monoculture, which reduces biodiversity.

Question 55

How does deforestation affect precipitation?

Answer 55

Interception and infiltration decrease, leading to reduced evapotranspiration and decreased precipitation.

Question 56

What is a consequence of increased overland flow due to deforestation?

Answer 56

Soil erosion and sedimentation of rivers.

Question 57

What happens to riverbeds as a result of sediment build-up?

Answer 57

Their capacity is reduced, increasing flood risk.

Question 58

How does deforestation affect the nutrient cycle?

Answer 58

The majority of nutrients in the tropical rainforest are held in the biomass, which is removed when trees are cleared.

Question 59

What social impact does deforestation have on indigenous communities?

Answer 59

They have less land to sustain their traditional way of life, leading to less food availability and loss of culture.

Question 60

What economic benefits can arise from deforestation?

Answer 60

More jobs in mining, forestry, agriculture, and increased income from exports.

Question 61

What is the rate of deforestation in Malaysia?

Answer 61

Malaysia has the fastest rate of deforestation in the world, averaging over 140,000 hectares cleared each year.

Question 62

What is a major cause of deforestation in Malaysia?

Answer 62

Logging, as Malaysia is the largest exporter of tropical hardwoods.

Question 63

What environmental impact does the construction of dams have?

Answer 63

It results in the flooding of large areas of forest.

Question 64

What is the impact of mining on deforestation?

Answer 64

Tin mines require deforestation for the mine and road construction.

Question 65

How does commercial palm oil production contribute to deforestation?

Answer 65

Malaysia exports over 30% of the world's palm oil, and clear felling permits are sometimes used.

Question 66

What is a consequence of subsistence farming practices?

Answer 66

Slash and burn methods can lead to uncontrolled fires that destroy large areas of rainforest.

Question 67

What is one effect of soil erosion due to deforestation?

Answer 67

Soil becomes less fertile as exposed soil is more vulnerable to nutrient leaching.

Question 68

How does deforestation affect biodiversity?

Answer 68

Habitats are destroyed, leading to a decrease in the variety of plants and animals.

Question 69

What is a consequence of reduced transpiration and evaporation?

Answer 69

It leads to a decrease in precipitation and an increase in temperatures.

Question 70

How does deforestation contribute to global climate change?

Answer 70

It decreases the absorption of carbon dioxide, increasing its concentration in the atmosphere.

Question 71

What has happened to indigenous communities like the Orang Asli due to deforestation?

Answer 71

They have been forced off their land, leading to reduced food sources.

Question 72

What tragic event occurred in Kuala Koh village in 2019?

Answer 72

At least 15 Indigenous Batek died after a disease outbreak possibly transmitted by loggers.