Climates Flashcards
Explain how latitude influences the climate
Latitude is distance north and south of the equator
In general the further away from the equator you go the colder it gets
Explain how distance from the sea can influence climate
Water in the sea absorbs beta very slowly in the summer but loses it very slowly in the winter so areas of land close to the sea are cooled by the after during the summer and warmed up by the water during the winter. Areas close to the sea tend to have a small temperature range because of this.
Land absorbs heat quickly in the summer and loses it quickly during the winter so inland areas have very hot summers and very cold winters with a larger temperature range than coastal areas
How do the prevailing winds and air masses effect thhe climate
Winds and air masses can make an area colder warmer wetter or drier depending on what direction they come from and weather they pass overland or water on the way
What factors influence climate
Latitude
Distance from the sea
Prevailing winds and air masses
What will northerly winds bring
Cold and dry weather
What will easterly winds bring
Warm in summer
Cold in winter
Usually dry
What will southerly winds bring
Warm weather and some rain
What will south westerly winds bring
Cool in summe
Mild in winter
Rain bearing
What is local climate
The climate experienced by a small region
What factors influence local climate
Aspect and altitude
Explain aspect
Aspect referes to the direction in which a. Slope is facing. A slope can face north or south
In the northern hemisphere, south facing slopes are warmer as the sun shines directly onto south facing slopes, warm southerly winds blow against south facing slopes and they are protected from the cold northerly winds (DIAGRAM)
Explain altitude
It means height above sea level
The higher you go the colder it gets. Temperature drops 7degrees Celsius for every 1000 metres you go up. This is because the air is thinner and can hold less heat. Upland areas are also more expose to the wind hi ha slots makes it colder (this is known as the wind chill factor)
What is the wind chill factor
They higher you go, you are more expose to winds and so it makes it colder
What is a natural region
An area of the world that has it own unique characteristics that make it different to other areas
What a re the three groups of world climates
Hot climates
Temperate climates
Cold climates
What are the major hot climates
Equatorial
Savanna
Hot dessert
What are the types of temperate climates
Cool temperate
Warm temperate
Whatever the types of cold climates
Tundra
Boreal
Where are the hot climates found
Within latitudes 30 degrees north and 30 degrees south close to the equator
Explain the equatorial climate
Hot all year (28 degrees) One season Rainfall every afternoon Rainfall 2000 MM./yr Rainforest/jungle
Explain the desert climate
Temperature at day 50-30
Temperature at night 5
Rainfall 1000mm/yr
Long droughts followed by sudden downpours
Plays and animals in the desert climate
It’s hard for plants and animals to survive because there’s little water in the desert
Plant and animals that have survived have adapted to the desert climate eg cactus
How has the cactus adapted to the desert climate
It has thick bark to prevent loss of moisture
It can store water inside it
Roots spread out over long distances to reach a water supply
The needles protect it from old animals
Explain savanna climate
Hot all year ( 25-35) Two seasons Wet summers Dry winters Scattered trees/ grassland
Animals in the dessert and how they have adapted to the desert
A camel is an animal who has adapted to the desert climate
It has long eye lashes to protect it from the sand getting in their eyes
Nostrils can open and close giving protection during sandstorms
Thick skin on their legs so they can kneel in the hot sand
Wide hooves for walking in the sand
Can store fat in their humps for when food is scarce
What is an oasis
A fertile area in the desert where water is Lund close to the surface
What is desertification
It means turning land into desert
What is Sahel
A region at the edge of the Sahara desert
Who are the people that live in the Sahel region
Tuareg
What is the causes of desertification
CLIMATE CHANGE
Rainfall in the region is unreliable it may come late or not at all
Higher temperature because of global warming lead to increase of evaporation and less condensation
Rivers and waters have dried up
Human factors of desertification
The countries of the Sahel have a high birth rate so there is rapid population growth and a large demand for food
People keep large herds of cattle and goats leading to overgrazing
Farmers change their way of farming from grazing to growing which is impossible as whiteout fertiliser the soil loses nutrients and crops fail
Trees and shrubs are cut down for cooking and heating as a result soil erssion is sped up
Results of desertification
Town and villages have been swallowed by advancing sands
Many people have moved to urban areas leading to growth in slums
People have died from famine eg Ethiopia
People have migrated in search of food and aid, they now live in refugee camps and these camps have grown
Solutions to desertification
TAKEN AT A LOCAL LEVEL
Slow down erosion by planting trees as shelter belts
Blind the soil particles by planting grasses that are resistant to drought
Dig deeper wells to find water for irrigation
Introduce new breeds of animals that produce more milk but in smaller herds
What is cool temperate oceanic climate also known as
Mediterranean climate
Cool temperate oceanic climate temp. Precip. And natural vegetation
Warm summers 15-17 Mild winters 4-6 Temp range 11 Rainfall throughout year. Most in winter 800-2000 MM/yr Weather is cloudy and changes often Deciduous forest which include oak, ash, elm and willow Most are removed for farming, transport and settlement
Warm temperate oceanic climate during summer
Summers are hot and dry 30d. Dry and some drought.
- close to the equator so sun is high in sky
- cloudless skies along long hours of sunshine
- high pressure belts
- trade winds that blow over dry land masses
Winters in warm temperate oceanic climate
Mild and moist 4-6d. With 400-700 MM of rain
- sun still high enough for warm conditions
- prevailing winds are southwestern so they blow from warmer latitudes making them warmer
- winds from the Atlantic Ocean bring moist air
- depression form over Mediterranean Sea
- rain falls in heavy showers
Vegetation in warm temperate oceanic climate
- Evergreen woodland including cork oak, cypress, cedar and olive.
- absorb and store moisture in winter
- very thick bark and waxy leaves prevent moisture loss
- widely spaces to avoid competition for moisture
Human activity in Mediterranean climate
.Sheep and goats are animals most commonly reared
.Overgrazing has changed the scant vegetation and the soil has been exposed to erssion by sudden downpours of rain
.fruit and veg framing takes place throughout the year
.irrigation schemes have been introduced to overcome summer drought.
.main crops growing are citrus fruits (lemons oranges grapefruit), tomatoes and vines
.other crops like wheat maize and sunflower are grown
Tourism
.
Tourism in Mediterranean
Man industry in coastal areas
Costa deal sol, Rivera, Majorca
Has brought: wealth and jobs(seasonal)
Pollution
Water shortages
Badly planned developmentWhat does tundra mean
Without trees
Tundra temperature
Summers are short and cool rarely above 15
Winters are long cold and as low as -35
Large temperature range
Precipitation in tundra
Form of snow
Less than 250 MM a year
Natural vegetation in tundra
Little because of harsh climate
Main are heather, misses and linches
Wildlife in tundra
.animals and birds in summer but not in winter bc it’s too cold
What does boreal mean
Northern
Where do you find the boreal climate
Found in a belt that runs across America and Eurasia between 55 degrees north and the art I circle
Temperature in boreal summer
Summer are short with long days 10-15
Northern hemisphere is tilted towards sun
Long hours of sunshine allow land absorb heat
Temperature in winter boreal
Winters are very cold with long nights -25,
Northern hemisphere is tilted away from sun
Sun low in sky Ray’s have to cover large area of land giving little heat
Precipitation in boreal
Low 400 mm/yr
Polar winds too cold to hold much moisture
Far from sea do dry winds
Natural vegetation boreal
The taiga evergreen coniferous forest
- the trees have :
- cone shaped branches that slope downwards so snow slides off
- thick bark to retain moisture and gives protection from cod winds
- shallow roots as only a thin layer of soil above permantly frozen ground (permafrost)
- roots that spread out widely to gather moisture(as much as possible)
- needles to prevent moisture loss
DIAGRAM
Boreal wildlife
Mink bear wolf and eagle
Adapted
Avoided stresses of winter by hibernating during winter
Fur acts as insulation keeping them warm in winter and cool in simmer
Some animals have wide hooves that act as snowshoes
Birds migrate to the southb during winger
Boreal climate people
Very few due to harsh climate
Miners foresters and natives
SAMI
More than 50,000 living in Lapland
Stretches across Norway, Sweden, Finland and part of Russia
Europes last tribe
In Past they were herders and lifestyle based on migration of reindeer herds
Today many are urban dwellers working in forestry industry
Human activity boreal
Boreal forests have been untouched for years by humans but today :
Forests in Russia and Canada are at risk from logging companies as they are clearing the forests
Wood is a huge demand for paper and chipboard
Also at risk from mining and oil exploration companies
