The Warm Temperate Climates and The Alpine Climate A presentation by group 2 The Warm Temperate Climate The Warm Temperate Climate is between latitude 300 to 450 north and south It is sub-grouped into the following categories: a) b) Warm temperate Western margin Warm Temperate Eastern margin So, Firstly we are going to be talking about the WARM TEMPERATE WESTERN MARGIN. THE WARM TEMPERATE WESTERN MARGIN Climatic Types/ Sub-group 1. A dry, warm summer with off-shore trades: • The relatively high temperature in summers. • Coastal regions have modified temperature due to the influence of the sea. • No rain because of Trade winds is off-shore. • Dry air, intense heat and low relative humidity conditions prevail. 2. The concentration of rainfall in winter • Precipitation in winter is the most outstanding feature of the mediterranean region • Rain receives due to the shift of Westerlies equator ward in winter. • Prevailing on-shore Westerlies bring cyclonic rain in the northern hemisphere. • Mean annual rainfall is 25 inches. • Heavy showers and few days with bright sunny periods between them is another characteristic feature. 3. The prominence of local winds around the Mediterranean Sea. • Many local winds, some hot, others cold are common around the Mediterranean Sea. • It is made up of Mistral (Mistral is a cold wind from the north, rushing down the Rhone valley in violent gusts between 40 and 80 miles per hour) and Sirocco (This is a hot, dry dusty wind which originates in the Sahara Desert.) Location Latitude 30° and 45° North and South of the Equator Areas where they can be found Examples are; North Africa (Tunisia, Morocco, Libya), south west of South Africa, Central Chile, California, western Australia, France, Spain, Italy. Climate Characteristics Abundance of rainfall in winter. Mean annual precipitation ranges from 35 – 90 cm. A dry warm summer of between 21 °C - 27 °C Temperature of coldest month is less than 18⁰ C but greater than –3⁰ C • Climate is not extreme because of cooling from water bodies. • Bright, sunny weather with hot, dry summer and wet mild winter. • • • • Vegetative Characteristics • Evergreen forests are open woodlands with evergreen oaks. Cork oaks of Spain and Portugal are best known. Australia have eucalyptus forests. Californian trees include giant sequoia or redwood. • Evergreen coniferous trees include pines, firs, cedars and cypresses. • Short and evergreen shrubs and bushes. Common species are laurel, myrtle, lavender, arbutus etc. • Wiry and bunchy grasses without deep penetrating roots, not suitable for animal farming. • Trees with small broad leaves are widely spaced and never very tall. • The absence of shade is a distinct feature of Mediterranean lands. • Plants are in a continuous struggle against heat, dry air, excessive evaporation and prolonged droughts. They are, in short xerophytic (drought tolerant], a word used to describe the drought-resistant plants in an environment deficient in moisture. Economic importance • They are the net exporter of citric fruits and net importer of dairy products. • Clear skies in summer and good landscapes encourage tourism [Lot of Indian Songs are shot here]. • European Mediterranean has many ancient cities and are famous for their health and pleasure resorts, frequent all-round the year. • Crop production such as wheat and rice using irrigation. THE WARM TEMPERATE EASTERN MARGIN Climatic Types/ Sub-groups a) China Type: Temperate monsoon or China type found in most parts of China and is a modified form of monsoonal climate. b) Gulf Type: Though less pronounced, the overall climate resembles the China Type. It is found in the southeastern parts of the USA bordering the Gulf of Mexico. The continental heating during summers induces an inflow of air from the cooler Atlantic Ocean. c) Natal Type: In Southern Hemisphere, this climate is witnessed in New South Wales, Natal and ParanaParaguay-Uruguay basin. This is often referred to as Natal Type of climate and is influenced by the on-shore Trade winds all round the year. Location of Warm Temperate Eastern Margin It is found between 20° and 40° North and South of the Equator. Areas where it is found (a) The China type: Central and north China, including southern Japan (temperate monsoonal), (b) The Gulf type: South-eastern United States, (slightmonsoonal), (c) The Natal type: All the warm temperate eastern margin (nonmonsoonal areas) of the southern hemisphere including Natal, eastern Australia and southern Brazil—Paraguay— Uruguay and northern Argentina. Climate Characteristics 1. Conventional rainfall is common in summer. 2. Winter temperatures are low due to the influence of local winds. 3. Annual rainfall is between 600mm and 1500mm. 4. It has a warm, wet summer and a cool. Dry winter. 5. Annual Temperature range is 25 °C NOTE: Trade wind is a wind blowing steadily towards the equator from the north-east in the northern hemisphere or the south-east in the southern hemisphere, especially at sea. Vegetative Characteristics • Due to heavier rainfall, the region supports luxurious vegetation. • There is perennial plant growth and the conditions are well suited to a rich variety of plant life. • The lowlands carry both evergreen broad-leaved forests and deciduous trees, similar to the tropical monsoon forests. • In the highlands, are various species of conifers such as pines and cypresses which are important softwoods. Economic Importance • Farming in Monsoon China: Undoubtedly this is the world’s greatest rice growing area. A third of the world’s rice is grown in China, though the huge population of 750 million leaves very little for export. In fact, in normal years, imports of rice and other food grains are essential. • Agriculture in the Gulf States for the production of crops, mainly cotton, corn and tobacco. THE ALPINE CLIMATE The Alpine Climate Alpine climate is the typical climate for the regions above the tree line. This climate is also referred to as a mountain climate or highland climate. Location The latitude of the alpine climate is 10 degrees North to 57 degrees south. The longitude of the alpine climate is 70 degrees West and 80 degrees East. Areas where they are found Although this climate classification only covers a small portion of the Earth's surface, alpine climates are widely distributed. They are present in the Himalayas, the Tibetan Plateau, Gansu, Qinghai, the Alps, the Pyrenees, the Cantabrian Mountains , the Sierra Nevada in Eurasia, ETC Climatic Characteristics • Alpine environments are defined as being cold, windy, and snowy, and characterized by low growing season temperatures and a very short frost-free period. • The Alpine biome is one of the coldest biomes in the world. • It is so cold because of its high altitudes. • Summer temperature range between -12 degrees Celsius to 10 degrees Celsius. • The average precipitation is 30 cm a year. Vegetative Characteristics • Alpine biomes are located on mountains where trees can't grow. The growing season (for plants) is about 180 days. • The alpine soil is well drained. • Most plants are small groundcover plants, which grow and reproduce slowly. • They protect themselves from the cold and wind by hugging close to the ground. • The problem of light is quite different in alpine biomes than in other biomes. The little amount of atmosphere at high altitudes exposes the Alpine area to sunlight, especially UV, at a dangerous level. • Some of the plants in an alpine biome are tussock grasses, dwarf trees, small-leafed shrubs, and heaths. Some animals in the alpine biome are; mountain goats, sheep, elk, beetles, grasshoppers and butterflies. Economic Importance 1. Providing goods and services, such as water, hydroelectricity, agricultural goods, handicrafts, and recreation for all of Europe. 2. Provision of land for human settlement. Group 2 Members Rachael Emukpoeruo Adeogun Oluwafeyisayomi Aderinoku Modi Eniola Olomolatan Osotekun Jemimah Izah Susan Thanks for Watching!
