Climate and Vegetation
Patterns
Chapter 3.3 Notes
Pg. 50
Tropical Climates
World’s climates support a variety of
ecosystems.
Ecosystem is a variety of plants and animals
in an area.
The worlds most diverse ecosystems are
found in the tropical climate regions.
Tropical Humid Climate
Found in areas close to the equator.
Warm temperatures and plentiful rainfall, never
cold.
Air is always rising. Unstable and storms daily.
In some areas rainfall comes in one wet season.
Monsoon is a wind system in which winds
completely reverse direction and cause seasons of
wet and dry weather.
Tropical Wet and Dry climates
Just to the north and south of the tropical humid
climate is the tropical wet and dry climate.
Sometimes called tropical savannah climate.
Climate results from seasonal changes in the way
the Sun’s rays strike areas just north and south of
the equator. Savannas are tropical grasslands,
scattered trees, and shrubs.
Climate Map
Dry Climates
Arid means dry. All dry climate regions
have low annual rainfall.
Arid Climate
Most are found about 30 degrees north and
south of the equator.
This area has stable, sinking, dry air all
year.
Little rain falls there. Also found in the rain
shadow of some mountains.
Areas can experience temperature extremes.
Semiarid Climate
The Semiarid climate is a transition zone
between the arid climate and the more
humid climates.
Receive more moisture than the deserts but
less than the more humid areas.
Middle – Latitude Climates
Temperate climates. Do not experience the
extremes of the other climates.
Mediterranean climate
The Mediterranean climate exists mainly in
two kinds of areas.
Along the coastal areas of southern Europe.
West coasts of continents with cool ocean
currents.
Humid Subtropical Climate
More widespread than the Mediterranean climate.
Easter side of continents where there are warm
ocean currents.
Summers are hot and humid. Winters are mild.
Hurricanes can be a danger.
Deciduous forests – trees lose their leaves during
part of the year. Coniferous – remain green.
Marine West Coast Climate
Influenced by oceans. Found on the west
coasts of continents in the upper middle
latitudes.
Mild all year.
Widespread in northwestern Europe.
Humid Continental Climate
Found in the interiors and east coasts of
upper middle latitude continents. Invasions
of cold and warm air regularly affect these
areas.
Most changeable weather conditions. 4
distinct seasons.
High Latitude and Highland
Climates
Subarctic Climate – long winters,
temperatures stay below freezing half the
year.
Tundra – long winter, almost never above
freezing.
Ice Cap – always covered by huge flat
masses of ice and snow.
Highland – change with elevation
Highland Climates