FINAL 2 Flashcards
The Koeppen climate classification system uses temperature and precipitation regimes/patterns to distinguish climate types.
. True
Generally speaking, the Koeppen climate types are arranged alphabetically (A, B, C, D, E) by latitude, with A climates at the Equator and E climates. in the Polar regions.
True - this is the basis for the Koeppen classification system.
The location of vegetation types (ecosystems) has been used as a major criterion for classifying climates in some climate classification systems, such as the Koeppen system.
True - this is the basis for the Koeppen classification system.
The annual temperature range decreases with increasing distance from the equator.
False - the temperature range increases because of the greater seasonal variability in insolation.
. Mean temperatures decrease with increasing distance from the equator.
True - due to decreasing amounts of insolation at higher latitudes cause by the spherical shape of the earth.
The windward coasts of continents are likely to experience more precipitation than the leeward coasts.
True - as moist air is uplifted along the windward side of the mountain, the air cools causing condensation to occur.
Assuming equal temperature ranges, areas that receive the same amount of total annual rainfall will necessarily have the same agricultural potential; i.e., the same ability to produce food.
False - the timing of the rainfall is just as important, if not more important, than the amount of rainfall. Areas which receive most of their rainfall in winter will not be as productive as those which receive the same amount in the summer - all other factors being equal.
Based on principles discussed in the course, the annual temperature range for Kansas City is greater than that for Seattle.
True - even though Kansas City is located 7° (≈ 500 miles) further south than Seattle, it experiences a greater temperature range because it is located in the interior of a continent (Principle of Continentality).
At a latitude of 40° to 60° N or S, the west coast of a continent would generally receive more precipitation than the east coast because of the influence of the Westerlies, which bring moisture from the Pacific to the continent, as well as the effects of orographic uplift.
True - west coast areas in this latitudinal belt experience more precipitation because they are exposed to the westerly winds that bring moisture from the ocean onto the continent.
Precipitation rates are lower in areas dominated by mT and mP air masses than in areas affected by cT and cP air masses.
False - because the mT and mP air masses are formed over the oceans, they contain more moisture.
Mild mid-latitude climates are designated as “C” climates under the Koeppen system.
True - C climates occur in the lower mid-latitudes, and are characterized by ‘mild’ winters; i.e., winters in which the average monthly temperature remains above freezing.
B climates are distinguished from all others by the fact that evapotranspiration exceeds precipitation.
True - B climates are arid climates, which are defined by the fact that they have an annual water deficit.
Tropical climates have average monthly temperatures of more than 64°F.
True - an average monthly temperature of more than 64° enables tropical plants to live in that climate. If a single monthly temperature went below 64°, some of the tropical species would not survive. Again, vegetation (ecosystems) serves as the basis for the Koeppen climate classification system.
C climates are distinguished from D and ET climates by the fact that the coldest monthly average temperature in a C climate is below 64°, but above 32°. D climates, however, have at least one monthly mean temperature below 32° and at least one summer average monthly temperature above 50°F.
True - the freezing point of water (32°) is the basis for the distinction between C and D climates. Some plants cannot survive freezing conditions. D climates have atleast one monthly average temperature of less than 32°. C climates have no monthly average temperatures below 32°.
. Areas located under the Subtropical High pressure belts are generally cold and wet.
False - the air is warmed considerably as it sinks from high altitude, and this causes the relative humidity to decrease.
EF climates are characterized by year-round temperatures that average below freezing.
True - The EF climates are the Polar/Ice sheet climates that are perpetually frozen
Potential evapotranspiration (PET) is not considered to be a significant climate variable
False - it is one of the most important because it determines how much water must be available in the soil in order for plants to grow.
Coastal areas experience smaller temperature ranges than interior regions at the same latitude.
True - this is based on the Principle of Continentality which results from the fact that land heats and cools faster than water does.
. A Wet Tropical climate (Af) would be characterized by a high average temperature and large diurnal and seasonal temperature ranges. (*Diurnal means over the course of a day - as in, from day to night.)
. False - because of the high moisture content of the atmosphere in this climate zone, daily temperature fluctuations are extremely small. And, because of its latitudinal location at or near the equator which results in a year-round energy surplus, seasonal temperature changes are also very small. There is no winter in the tropics.
The tall-growing trees in the tropics typically have buttresses at their bases.
True - tropical trees generally have shallow roots systems because the nutrients in the forest are located primarily in the upper soil layer. Because of their shallow roots, the tall-growing trees need buttresses to help stabilize them. In addition, the buttresses help to trap soil and nutrients by serving as “dams” on the forest floor that can capture surface runoff.
The rain forest generally has only two layers of vegetation–tall trees that form the canopy, and shrubs and plants that grow only a few feet in height.
False - they generally have three layers–the two just mentioned and an intermediate layer. These layers are the result of differing amounts of light available to trees and plants within different levels of the forest.
The rainforest floor is so thick with vegetation that is almost impenetrable.
False - so little light reaches the forest floor that relatively few plants can grow there. It is along the edges of the forest that the vegetation is very thick because it is here that there is a lot of light available for photosynthesis.
The soils in a rainforest are nutrient-poor in spite of what is suggested by the high amount of plant growth in the rainforest.
True - they are extremely poor in nutrients because the high temperatures and rainfall result in rapid loss of nutrients. Most of the nutrients are in the plants–not in the soil.
Laterites form when tropical soils become too wet.
False - they form when tropical soils dry out as a result of exposure to the sun–which occurs when the land is cleared of trees.
The boundary that separates wet tropical forests from AW climates along their borders is based on moisture conditions.
True - the transition from the Humid Af tropical climates to the drier Aw climate along their border occurs as a result of drier conditions that develop in and near the Subtropical High pressure belt. In other words, the climate changes as the wet conditions of the Equatorial Low/ITCZ give way to the drier conditions associated with the presence of the subtropical high.
The Wet-Dry (Aw) Tropical climate exists because of the alternating influence of the ITCZ/Equatorial Low and the Subtropical High air masses.
True - the ITCZ (Intertropical Convergence Zone) is a low pressure region in which convergence and uplift of warm, moist air masses occur. This produces hot, wet climate conditions. The Subtropical High is characterized by hot dry air (which is heated adiabatically by compressions as it sinks toward the ground)
The Monsoon climate is characterized by maximum rainfall that occurs when the ITCZ/Equatorial Low is located over an area. Stated differently, it occurs when hot conditions develop over the continents during summer, resulting in the creation of a low pressure system over the continents.
True - when the ITCZ shifts over a region and a low pressure system develops over the continent, warm moist air is brought into the region and uplifted t produce clouds and rain.
Both the Am and Aw climates are characterized by the ITCZ in the season of high sun, and the Subtropical High in the season of low sun. They differ primarily in terms of how dry It becomes during the season of low sun, with the Aw climates being drier.
True.
The Monsoon climate experiences maximum rainfall during the season of low sun.
False - during the season of low sun, a high pressure belt (the Subtropical High) occurs in Monsoon climate regions that produces dry conditions. It is during the season of high sun that the ITCZ/Equatorial Low is located overhead and heavy rainfall occurs.
