Module 9 Climate Zones Create Ecosystems Flashcards
What are the four main climate zones based on latitude?
Tropical zone, Subtropical zone, Temperate zone, Polar zone
Each zone has specific characteristics related to climate, vegetation, air pressure, and temperature.
What is the average temperature in the tropical zone?
Exceeds 18˚C (64˚F) throughout the year
Temperature changes are small, and there are typically only two seasons: wet and dry.
Define epiphytes.
Plants that grow on other plants for physical support while obtaining nutrients and water from the air, rain, and debris
Examples include orchids, bromeliads, ferns, and mosses.
What are the three distinct zones of the tropical climate?
- Tropical rainforest
- Tropical monsoon
- Tropical savanna
What is the average annual temperature range in tropical monsoon climates?
3.6°C (2°F)
The average annual temperature is approximately 27.05°C (80.69°F).
What characterizes tropical savanna climates?
Drought and high temperatures between 20°C–30°C (68°F–86°F)
The wet season has 15–25 inches of rainfall, while the driest months have less than 4 inches.
What is the average temperature in subtropical regions during the warmest months?
20˚C (68˚F)
In the coldest months, the average temperature is 10˚C (50˚F).
List the types of ecosystems found in the temperate climate zone.
- Temperate deciduous forests
- Temperate rainforests
- Temperate grasslands
- Temperate deserts
What defines continental ecosystems?
Diverse terrestrial environments found on Earth’s continents
Includes forests, grasslands, and deserts.
What are the main characteristics of taiga forests?
- Dominated by coniferous trees
- Short, cool summers
- Long, cold winters with heavy snowfall
What types of trees coexist in mixed coniferous and deciduous forests?
- Evergreen coniferous trees
- Deciduous trees
What is the average temperature in the polar zone during the warmest months?
Never exceeds 10˚C (50˚F)
This zone includes tundra and ice cap regions.
Describe the tundra.
A treeless polar desert found in high latitudes
Locations include Alaska, Canada, Russia, Greenland, Iceland, and Scandinavia.
What characterizes temperate rainforests?
Coniferous or broadleaf forests with heavy rainfall
Annual precipitation is over 55 inches.
What is the average annual precipitation in temperate grasslands?
About 10–30 inches
Precipitation usually occurs in late spring and early summer.
True or False: Temperate deserts have low rainfall and strong temperature contrasts between summer and winter.
True
What defines the Mediterranean climate?
Warm, dry summers and cool, mild winters
Average annual rainfall is 10–17 inches, with temperatures ranging from -1°C to 38°C (30°F to 100°F).
