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Geo IGCSE > climates and biomes > Flashcards

climates and biomes Flashcards

1
Q

where is the equitorial climate found

A

5 degrees north and south from the equator

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2
Q

Characteristics of an equatorial climate

A
  • Hot conditions ( usually above 26%)
  • High levels of rainfall ( often over 2000mm per year)
  • Rainfall mainly convectional and can fall on 250 days of year (Occurs frequently on days that are hot, in the afternoon at the same time of day)
  • Lack of seasons
  • Cloud cover varying ( being none in the morning and reaching cumulonimbus by afternoon)
  • Very high humidities ( relative humidities of 100% being reached daily during the afternoon )
  • Wind speeds are not very high because of the large amount of trees
  • Low annual range of temperature ( 2 to 5 degrees)
  • Diurnal range temperatures low ( 5 degrees)
  • Annual distribution of rainfall, rains all year round
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3
Q

overall, the equitorial climate is

A

hot, humid, rainy, wet all year round

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4
Q

does the equitorial climate have seasons

A

no

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5
Q

FACTORS THAT AFFECT A PLACES CLIMATE (5)

A

latitude

proximity to sea

ocean currents

altitude

prevailing winds

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6
Q

how does proximity to sea affect climate

A

Distance from the sea is important as water takes up heat from the sea and emits it more slowly than land does. Coastal areas are cooler and wetter than inland areas. ( doesn’t affect equatorial)

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7
Q

does proximity to sea affect equitorial climate

A

NO

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8
Q

how does latitude affect climate

A

Locations with higher or lower latitude receive more or less sunlight and so can be hotter or colder( between 5d north and 5d south) ( affects equatorial)

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9
Q

does latitude affect equitorial climate

A

yes

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10
Q

how does ocean currents affect climate

A

If the ocean currents are warm than it is warmer and more humid and if the currents are cold the weather is cooler (doesn’t affect equatorial)

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11
Q

do ocean currents affect equatorial climate

A

NO

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12
Q

how does altitude affect climate

A

High-altitude areas usually experience cooler temperatures, more precipitation, strong winds, and
low air pressure and oxygen levels. In general air temperatures decreases with increasing altitudes.because air under the greater pressure of lower altitudes is denser and therefore warmer. As altitude increases so the pressure on the air is reduced and the air becomes cooler.

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13
Q

does altitude affect equatorial

A

NO

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14
Q

how do prevailing winds affect climate

A

The effect of wind on temperature depends on the characteristics of the wind.prevailing winds coming from the land lower the winter temperatures, but raise them in summer. This is because continental areas are very hot in summer but very cold in winter. Prevailing winds from the sea do the opposite; they lower the summer temperatures and raise them in winter.
If the winds come from the poles then they are cooler, if they come from the tropics they are warmer

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15
Q

WHY IS THE EQUATORIAL CLIMATE HOT
(2)

A
  • The elevation of the sun is high because it is on the equator
  • The sunrays are direct and more focused on the equator meaning these regions are hotter.
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16
Q

WHY IS IT RARELY VERY HOT IN THE EQUATORIAL CLIMATE
(3)

A
  • Because there is so much cloud cover, a lot of the insolation is reflected and goes back into outer space
  • Insolation- incoming solar rays
  • Also because of day length, 12h of daylight and 12h of darkness
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17
Q

WHY IS IT HOT ALL YEAR ROUND IN EQUATORIAL CLIMATE

A

Because there are no seasons and the heat the land receives by the sun is almost the same throughout the year leading to no significant change in the climatic conditions of the region
The sun’s elevation is high all year round

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18
Q

Why is there a small diurnal range of temperature in the equatorial climate?

A

Because there are a lot of clouds that trap heat, less heat is lost at night meaning the diurnal range is low

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19
Q

TYPE OF RAINFALL ASSOCIATED WITH EQUATORIAL CLIMATE

A

convectional rainfall

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20
Q

how is convectional rainfall formed

A

Occurs frequently on days that are hot usually with cumulus clouds and thunder

Usually happens in the afternoon at the same time of day each day ( falls when the sun is hottest ( when it sets))

It becomes very humid as the moisture from ground evaporates

Because the air is in contact with a hot surface, the air becomes hotter and rises ( convection happens)

Once it rises it becomes cooler and the relative humidity increases ( once the air becomes saturated( 100% relative humidity)) condensation happens and clouds begin to form ( the convection currents keep the clouds and water particles up)

Once the currents stop ( when the sun starts to set, all the waterfalls ( once the sun sets it stops heating and the convection then stops so it starts to rain)

Heavy rainfall that doesn’t last long as it gets dumped and then the clouds go away during the evening

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21
Q

what is convectional rainfall

A

Heavy rainfall that doesn’t last long as it gets dumped and then the clouds go away during the evening

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22
Q

WHY DOES IT RAIN SO HEAVILY AND ALWAYS AT THE SAME TIME OF DAY ( USUALLY AFTERNOON) IN EQUATORIAL CLIMATE

A

Because the warmer air rises up and then expands, reaching a cooler layer and saturates them they then condense into clouds and the precipitation falls, this happens because the temperatures don’t vary a lot from day to day so this happens at the same time with the same temperatures every day.

Because the sun reaches its highest and hottest point at the same time every day and also sets so stops heating at the same time so the rain falls at that time

Once the sun sets, all the rain that was accumulated inside the clouds gets dropped in one go which is why it rains so heavily

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23
Q

what is the ITCZ

A

low pressure system that affects the equatorial climate

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24
Q

ITCZ stands for

A

ITCZ INTERTROPICAL CONVERGENCE ZONE

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25
Q

why is the itcz called a convergence zone

A

It is called a convergence zone because it is where winds from the northern hemisphere and the southeast hemisphere converge (come together) which creates uplift

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26
Q

WHY IS RAINFALL SPREAD QUITE EVENLY THROUGHOUT THE YEAR IN THE EQUATORIAL CLIMATE

A

It’s because it is affected by the ITCZ meaning when the ITCZ comes it brings heavy rainfall and thunderstorms. In some areas the ITCZ causes 2 periods of very heavy rainfall every year. One occurs when the ITCZ crosses these areas on its way north and another occurs when it crosses these areas again on its way south

the equatorial zone is always affected by the ITCZ ( low pressure) and so always has rain

27
Q

Hot desert climate is

A

very sunny and has low rainfall

28
Q

where are hot desert climates found

A

generally found between the tropics of cancer and capricorn (15-30 degrees north and south of the equator).

29
Q

CHARACTERISTICS OF HOT DESERT CLIMATE

A
  • Very hot days and cold nights, because of the lack of cloud cover
  • Low and irregular amounts of rainfall, and also lack of any seasonal pattern
  • Low levels of humidity for much of the year

-Warm and dry winds, that sometimes cause sandstorms

  • Diurnal range 50 degrees , so extreme
    Annual rainfall total is less than 250 mm of rainfall per year ( very low)
30
Q
  • HOTTEST MONTHS OF THE YEAR ARE REFERRED TO AS
A

THE HIGH SUN SEASONS

31
Q

diurnal range in a hot desert climate is

A

extreme (50º)

32
Q

annual rainfall in a hot desert climate

A

less than 250 mm of rainfall per year ( very low)

33
Q

temperatures during the night and day in a hot desert climate

A

very hot during day, cold during night

34
Q

WHY IS VERY HOT IN THE HIGH SUN SEASON (HDC)

A

Because the sun is at a direct angle, there is minimal cloud coverage and low humidity. This maximises radiation absorption which raises temperatures

35
Q

WHY IS IT COOLER DURING THE LOW SUN SEASON (HDC)

A

because there is less direct sunlight and is less intense, the days are also shorter so there is less time for the desert to heat up and it cools quickly during the night because there’s no moisture to hold the heat.

36
Q

WHY IS THERE A MODERATE ANNUAL RANGE IN TEMPERATURE IN HOT DESERT CLIMATES

A

Because of low humidity, the air doesn’t trap heat. There are clear skies so no clouds and the heat escapes easily in the nights. The sandy terrain doesn’t hold heat well so it cools quickly

37
Q

WHY IS THERE SUCH A LARGE DIURNAL RANGE OF TEMP IN A HOT DESERT CLIMATE

A

The air is dry so during the day the dry air lets it get really hot and at night it cools down quickly because it doesn’t hold onto the heat.
Clear skies, without clouds, the heat escapes easily at night making it much c

38
Q

What season is convectional rainfall more likely to occur in the hot desert climate and why?

A

During summer ( high sun season) because it’s when intense heat causes air to rise quickly that form clouds that bring rain.

39
Q

What season is frontal rainfall more likely to occur in the hot desert climate and why?

A

During winter ( low sun season) when cold air moves in because it forces warm air to rise and form rain clouds

40
Q

Frontal rainfall

A

occurs when a warm front meets a cold front. The heavier cold air sinks to the ground and the warm air rises above it. When the warm air rises, it cools. The cooler air condenses and form clouds. The clouds bring heavy rain.

41
Q

subtropical high pressure system affects which climates

A

hot desert

42
Q

Why does subtropical high pressure system lead to dry conditions ?

A

Because the sinking air prevents clouds and rain falls while dry air masses bring little moisture into the desert

43
Q

why is humidity and rainfall so low in hot desert climate

A

Subtropical high-pressure system
The presence of it leads to sinking air, preventing cloud formation and precipitation

High evaporation rates
Intense heat causes high evaporation of moisture from surface, which reduces humidity levels

Rain shadow effect
Mountains surrounding hot desert regions block winds carrying moisture, resulting in reduced rainfall

44
Q

WHERE ARE TROPICAL RAINFORESTS FOUND

A

Tropical rainforests are mainly found between 23 degrees north and south of the equator and mostly near the coast. In Africa, indonesia and central America

45
Q

WHAT IS THE CLIMATE TYPE ASSOCIATED WITH THE TROPICAL BIOME

A

tropical climate

46
Q

THE VERTICAL STRUCTURE OF THE TRF

A

composed of 5 structures

  • emergent layer
  • dense main canopy layer
  • under canopy layer
  • shrub layer
  • ground level
47
Q

emergent layer in TRF

A

reaches a height of 30-40 metres. (emergent trees are widely spaced)

48
Q

main canopy layer in TRF

A

height of 20-30 metres.

49
Q

under canopy layer TRF

A

of sapling trees is about 15 metres high. These occur only where light is available.

50
Q

shrub layer TRF

A

there is a very sparse shrub layer in clearings, or where light is available)

51
Q

ground layer TRF

A

there is a ground layer of tree ferns - but only in clearings and on river banks

52
Q

WHY IS THE TRF DESCRIBED AS AN EVERGREEN FOREST

A

Because the forest isn’t seasonal, some trees will have flowers, other fruit, while some are losing their leaves.
Those trees drop their leaves at any time of the year, meaning the forest has an evergreen appearance

53
Q

CHARACTERISTICS OF TREES FOUND IN THE TRFs (5)

A

Trees are very tall because they have to compete for sunlight

The bark is thin because they do not need protection from the cold

Their leaves are big because they need to catch the maximum amount of sunlight in the cloudy climate

Trunks are straight as competition from surrounding vegetation and lack of light forces the tree to grow straight up

They have large roots to keep them steady that are shallow and buttress

54
Q

ADAPTATIONS OF TREES IN THE TRF BIOME (3)

A

Leaves have drip tips because they need to shed the torrential rain quickly and prevent them breaking off.

Trees take up nutrients through the roots,meaning that the shallow buttress roots allow the trees to access the nutrients near the surface of the soil. The roots are also essential for the stability of the very tall trees, which need their support in the wet and muddy soils.

Tropical soils are red because of the iron in them, when the trees grow, they absorb the nutrients in the soil and return them when the leaves fall. The leaves decompose quickly on the forest floors hot and wet conditions. This adds humus to the top of the soil.

55
Q

CHARACTERISTICS OF TREES IN TRF

A

Trees are very tall because they have to compete for sunlight

Very high density of trees

Large variety of tree species

Their leaves are big because they need to catch the maximum amount of sunlight in the cloudy climate

Trunks are straight as competition from surrounding vegetation and lack of light forces the tree to grow straight up

They have large roots to keep them steady that are shallow and buttress

Straight, branchless, thich hardwood trunks

They have a crown with a dense layer of leaves

56
Q

ADAPTATIONS OF THE TREES in a TRF (5)

A

Leaves have drip tips because they need to shed the torrential rain quickly and prevent the leaves from breaking off. (they get rid of weight of water to make trees more stable)

Trees take up nutrients through the roots,meaning that the shallow buttress roots allow the trees to access the nutrients near the surface of the soil. The roots are also essential for the stability of the very tall trees, which need their support in the wet and muddy soils.

There is dead organic matter, and because the conditions are wet bacterial action rapidly decomposes the matter turning it into food and nutrients for the trees and because there is so much water it creates a humus layer and leaching brings it further and deeper into the ground

They grow straight so they don’t waste energy and can focus on growing really tall instead ( for sunlight)

Produce massive leaves in order for tree to photosynthesize and produce fruit and reproduce

57
Q

WHY IS THE BIODIVERSITY SO HIGH IN THE TRF BIOME

A

The hot and wet climate provides ideal conditions for many species of plants and animals to thrive.

So rich in biodiversity because it has been stable for 2 million years

58
Q

Why are TRF soils usually so infertile?

A

Because the nutrients are absorbed by the trees when they grow and when the plant falls back down it is returned as a thin layer of hummus, but the deep layers of soil have few nutrients because of leaching ( nutrients taken down in solution and removed from soil by rainwater)
There will be soil erosion because of the amount of precipitation
Because of deforestation less trees have leaves that fall and less monkey poo falls creating a smaller/thinner layer of humus that ill also in turn have less nutrients

59
Q

WHY ARE TRFs SO IMPORTANT TO NATURAL SYSTEMS

A
  • They have a very high biodiversity
  • They provide as a habitat for loads of animals and plants
  • Are sources of food for animals and humans
  • Really important for maintenance of soil fertility
  • Climate change, are massive carbon sinks
60
Q

WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT TO CONSERVE THE TRFs
(4)

A

Biodiversity, its half the world’s species living there so the world would lose its biodiversity of animals and plants as they would become extinct

Biodiversity- they are rich in diverse species that offer potential resources for medicine, food and more things

Climate regulation- they act as carbon sinks, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change

Ecosystem services - provide things like clean water, air purification, and soil stability. Benefiting local and global population. There are also people who have lived their for a long time so would be losing their culture and home

61
Q

challenges for plants in a hot desert biome

A

Very hot
Lack of water

62
Q

WHY ARE THE SOILS FOUND IN HOT DESERTS INFERTILE ?

A

Because they are usually rocky or sandy, so very porous meaning water passes through them very easily. Desert soils are also thin and contain very few plant nutrients. This is because very little organic matter is available to decompose into them.

63
Q

ways vegetation has adapted in a hot desert biome

A

cacti - Have many long but deep roots to soak up as much water as possible after rain

shrubs - Their roots are shallow and wide-spreading to catch water after rain before it evaporates.

and flowering plants - light coloured petals to reflect sun

Geo IGCSE (21 decks)

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