1.-What climates does the Earth have?
1.1.-The climatic zones
There are five great climatic zones on the Earth:
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One hot zone situated approximately between the two tropics. The insolation is maximum because
the sun’s rays fall almost vertically on the surface.
Two cold zones, one in each hemisphere, located inside the polar circles. The insolation is minimal
because the sun’s rays reach the surface almost tangentially
Two temperate zones, one in each hemisphere, stretched between the tropics ante the polar
circles. At these latitudes, the sun’s rays are received obliquely.
 Show the five climatic zones of the Earth in a drawing
1.2.- Hot climates
Hot climates occur in the intertropical zone. In this zone, the average temperature of the coldest month is
higher than 18° .
1.2.1.- The Equatorial climate is characterized by constant very hot temperatures and frequent, very
abundant precipitations, over 2,000 mm a year.
1.2.2.- The tropical climate has constant very hot temperatures and abundant precipitations.
Precipitations are concentrated in one period, the wet season.
1.2.3.-The desert climate has very hot temperatures and scarce precipitations, below 250 mm a year.
1.3.-Temperate climates
Temperate climates stretch between the tropics and the polar circles. These climates are characterized by
the succession of four seasons, with notable differences in temperatures and precipitations between them.
1.3.1.-The oceanic climate or Atlantic climate has mid temperatures and abundant precipitations all the
year.
1.3.2.-The continental climate has very cold winters and very hot, humid summers
1.3.3.- The Mediterranean climate is characterised by mid winters and hot, dry summers.
1.4.- Cold climates
Cold climates are located at high latitudes, above the polar circles, and in high mountain areas.
1.4.1.- The polar climate has the lowest temperatures on the Earth. Summer does not exist: none of the
months has an average temperature above 10° C. Precipitations are almost nonexistent.
1.4.2.- The high mountain climate has cold temperatures and abundant rains, frequently in the form of
snow.
1.5.-Climate graphs
Climate graphs are used to illustrate the average temperature and rainfall experienced at a particular
place over the course of a year.
 Search this web and construct a climate graph for Gijón in 2014.
http://www.tutiempo.net/clima/GIJON-MUSEL/2014/80140.htm
2.-What is a biome or natural landscape?
A biome is a large geographical area of distinctive plant and animal groups, which are adapted to that
particular environment. The climate and geography of a region determines what type of biome can exist in
that region. Major biomes include deserts, forests, grasslands, tundra, and several types of aquatic
environments. Each biome consists of many ecosystems whose communities have adapted to the small
differences in climate and the environment inside the biome.
All living things are closely related to their environment. Any change in one part of an environment, like an
increase or decrease of a species of animal or plant, causes a ripple effect of change in through other parts
of the environment.
The world is split up into several biomes but scientists just can’t agree on how many, so we are going to
look at six major types: Freshwater, Marine, Desert, Forest, Grassland, and Tundra.
2.1.-Deserts
This biome is the driest; it only receives 50cm of rainfall a year (about 10% of the rainfall in the rainforest).
Its plants and animals have to survive in an environment with little water and dramatic temperature
changes from day to night. Some animals and plants may find it difficult to adapt, but reptiles and cacti
thrive in these conditions.
This biome includes: Hot and dry, Semiarid, Coastal, and Cold deserts
2.2.-Forests
Forest biomes cover about 1/3 of the Earth’s land surface. They are dominated by trees and contain many
different plants and animals. Forests take in the carbon that we exhale and give off the oxygen we breathe
in, making them really important to our survival.
This biome includes: Tropical, Deciduous, and Taiga (boreal) forests
2.3.-Freshwater
Freshwater is water that has a salt level of less than 1%. Most species living in freshwater cannot live in salt
water, although there are some exceptions. This biome also plays an important role for life on Earth. It
provides drinking water for humans and other animals, it is also vital for plant growth.
This biome includes: Ponds, lakes, Streams, Rivers and Wetlands
2.4.-Grasslands
It may not surprise you to hear that grasslands are filled with grasses. However, the length of the grass and
the number of trees within these biomes vary depending on the amount of rainfall. Since rainfall in the
grasslands is lower than rainforest but higher than desert, trees exist, but they are limited to growing near
streams and other water sources.
This biome includes: Savanna and Temperate grassland.
2.5.-Marine
This biome covers more of the Earth’s surface than any other – about 70%. Some areas are so deep that
they can contain entire mountains and even volcanoes. Like many of the other biomes on the planet, they
play an important role. This biome provides most of the rainwater that comes down from the sky and it is
home to some of the planet’s most diverse species.
This biome includes: Oceans, Coral Reefs, and Estuaries
2.6.-Tundra
This is the coldest of all the biomes and species diversity is limited as a result. In fact, its name comes from
the Finnish word tunturi, meaning treeless plain. It receives even less rainfall than most deserts, although it
remains wet because the cold temperatures delay water from being evaporated. Plants, such as mosses
and lichens, adapt to these frigid conditions by having a shorter growing season.
This biome includes: Arctic and Alpine tundra
 In a world map, colour the different climatic zones of the Earth
 In a world map, colour the different biomes of the Earth
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What deductions can you make after seeing both maps?
3.-Tropical rainforests
Tropical rainforests are amazing ecosystems. They contain 90% of all known species of plants and animals.
Tropical rainforests are found in regions which are on or near the Equator. They occur in South America,
West Africa, Southeast Asia and northern Australia.
3.1.-Climate
Tropical rainforests are always hot and humid. This is because the Sun is overhead for most of the year.
The average monthly temperature is around 27° C . It rains every day. In the morning, the sun evaporates
water from rivers and trees. Large storm clouds form, and in the afternoon there are heavy rain storms
with thunder and lightning. They receive over 200mm of rainfall per year. As they are so humid, the feel is
very hot and sticky.
Trees and plants in rainforest have adapted to the environment. Trees grow tall so they can gain as much
sunlight as possible. They are able to grow tall because they have wide buttress roots to support them. The
leaves are shiny and have pointed ‘drip tips’ to help them shed the heavy rainfall.
3.2.-Human use of rainforest
Humans intervene in tropical rainforests in order to bring real or imagined benefits to themselves or the
local population.
Case study: human intervention in the Amazon
The short-term benefits of clearing rainforest areas include:
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land for agriculture, houses and roads
jobs for local workers in road building, logging, agriculture, mining and construction
the generation of income (often in valuable foreign currency) for the LEDC when wood, minerals,
and other resources are sold
scientific investigation into rainforest plants may provide new food sources and medicines
These benefits, however, come at a cost. Clearing rainforest threatens the survival of many plant and
animal species and can lead to serious environmental degradation. Widespread deforestation damages the
whole biosphere (the balance of living and non-living things) with serious long-term consequences.
The case study of human intervention in the Amazon looks at some of the issues around rainforest
development.
Positive impacts of human intervention
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Improved transportation - new roads and airports. Better transportation means easier access to
raw materials like minerals and timber. Rainforest resources can be transported away and sold.
Infrastructure, hospitals and education can be improved from the money gained from selling
natural resources.
Profits from selling resources can be used to improve a country's infrastructure. For example,
profits from the sale of rainforest resources can be used to build schools and hospitals.
Raw materials, eg tropical hardwoods such as ebony and mahogany, can be sold for a good price
abroad.
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Mineral deposits in the Amazon include bauxite (the main constituent of aluminium), iron ore,
manganese, gold, silver and diamonds. Minerals can be sold for high profits.
Large-scale farming brings money into the country and provides food and jobs for the country's
growing population.
Small-scale farming provides food for rainforest communities and the landless poor of Brazil.
New roads divide up parts of the rainforest and can cut off connections between different biotic
and abiotic systems. For example, a road can stop monkeys such as the golden lion tamarin from
travelling to gather food and, in turn, distribute seeds to re-sow plants in the forest.
Land clearance for farming, transportation and mining can lead to deforestation. Hardwood trees
take many years to grow so can be difficult to replace.
Fertile soils that make farming possible are quickly washed away when the forest is cleared. If soil
ends up in rivers, this can lead to flooding.
Loss of animal habitat occurs when trees are cut down. Hence, deforestation can result in
endangering animals and plant life, or even causing them to become extinct.
Profits from large-scale farming and selling resources often go back to MEDCs or large companies
and don't benefit the rainforest communities.
Shifting cultivation is a traditional, sustainable method of agriculture which has been practised by
indigenous tribes for centuries. It occurs in areas of the Amazon rainforest, Central and West Africa and
Indonesia. Along with other aspects of their culture and traditional way of life, it is under threat from largescale clearance of the forests.
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A small area of land is cleared and the vegetation burned, providing a source of nutrients from the
ash.
For a few years the soil remains sufficiently fertile for the tribe to grow crops.
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When the soil's fertility is exhausted, the tribe moves on and clears another small area of forest.
The original area is regenerated, as it receives nutrients and seeds from surrounding vegetation.
As no lasting damage occurs, this method of agriculture is sustainable.
It is sometimes called 'slash and burn' agriculture.
Brazil needs to exploit the Amazon's resources to develop, so leaving it untouched is not an option.
Uncontrolled and unchecked exploitation can cause irreversible damage such as loss of biodiversity, soil
erosion, flooding and climate change. So, sustainable use of the forest is essential. Sustainable
development will meet the needs of Brazil's population without compromising the needs of future
generations.
Possible strategies include:
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Agro-forestry - growing trees and crops at the same time. This lets farmers take advantage of
shelter from the canopy of trees. It prevents soil erosion and the crops benefit from the nutrients
from the dead organic matter.
Selective logging - trees are only felled when they reach a particular height. This allows young trees
a guaranteed life span and the forest will regain full maturity after around 30-50 years.
Education - ensuring those involved in exploitation and management of the forest understand the
consequences behind their actions.
Afforestation - the opposite of deforestation. If trees are cut down, they are replaced to maintain
the canopy.
Forest reserves - areas protected from exploitation.
Monitoring - use of satellite technology and photography to check that any activities taking place
are legal and follow guidelines for sustainability.
3.2.-Consequences of rainforest deforestation
Search the following website and others you may find on the Internet and explain what the consequences
of rainforest deforestation are
http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/tackling_climate_change/impacts_of_climate_change/climate_chan
ge_and_forests/
Consequences of rainforest deforestation:
4.-The climates and landscapes of Europe
4.1.- The tundra is located at the top of the northern hemisphere in Europe, Asia and North America. It
covers 20% of the earth's surface just below the polar cap. The Siberian Tundra is located in the
northeastern part of Russia between 60° to 80° North latitude, and 70° to 180° East longitude.
In the tundra, winters are long and summers are short. During the winter temperatures are usually below
freezing and the ground is covered with snow and ice. Summers are marshy from puddles called
thermokarsts formed from melted snow and ice. The Lena, Ob and Yenisei are all permanent rivers that
flow into the Siberian Tundra. Pingoes are formed from pools of water freezing under the ground and
pushing the ground up into a hill. Some pingoes are 3 to 300 feet tall and a half mile wide.
The tundra is located 1,000 to 4,000 feet above sea level. In the tundra, there are two levels of soil. The
first layer is called the active layer because it freezes and thaws. It is 10 inches to 3 feet deep. The second
layer is called the permafrost. It stays frozen throughout the winter and summer. The permafrost in Russia
can be as deep as 1,968 feet.
The climate in the Siberian Tundra in the winter is very cold. The temperature may reach -40 degrees
Fahrenheit. Summers are cool with temperatures of 37 degrees to 54 degrees Fahrenheit. Precipitation is
only 6 to 10 inches per year including melted snow.
The animals of the tundra include fish, birds, mammals and insects. The animals survive with extra fat and
thick fur to keep them warm. Most animals are low to the ground and their arms, legs, tails and ears are
small to keep from losing heat. Hundreds of types of birds stay for the summer only.
The Yakut people inhabit the northeastern part of Siberia. To survive, they hunt, trap and fish animals.
Ruts from trucks have caused the permafrost to melt and some of those areas have become as large as
lakes. There has been lots of pollution from mining. More people are moving to the tundra, which creates
more waste. Because of the cold weather, the waste does not break down. With the permafrost frozen
solid, they can not bury the waste either. With the rising temperature from global warming, the permafrost
may begin melting which will cause flooding to the tundra. This could destroy the world's greatest biome.
In the tundra, animals are being over hunted with guns. Many animals are being hunted almost to
extinction. Now there is a limit to how many animals can be killed in one year.
In Russia, areas of land have been set aside for national parks. These parks will protect the wildlife and the
tundra. There are now ways to build highways across the tundra without damaging the permafrost.
4.2.-Oceanic landscapes are along the coastline between latitudes 40°and 60°, north and south of the
equator.
The ocean causes mild temperatures. Rainfall is light and regular. Rivers have a high, regular flow
throughout the year.
Mammals such as bears, foxes and wild boars live in the forests. Small rodents like mice live on the moors.
In Western Europe, forests have been cut down to make pastures for livestock or fields for crops, such as
corn and potatoes.
4.3.-The Mediterranean landscape is found on the coasts of the Mediterranean Sea, California, central
Chile, South Africa and southern and southwest Australia.
Summers are hot and winters are mild because of the proximity to the sea. Rivers have a low, irregular
flow
Mediterranean forests are made up of evergreen trees such as pines and holm oaks
Grazing by animals as well as forest fires are causing forests to disappear. Areas with a steep relief, poor
soil and little water have been converted into dryland farming areas for cereals, grapes and olives
The construction of canals and dams has allowed for irrigated arming to grow fruits and vegetables
Vegetables like peppers, fruits like strawberries and flowers are grown in greenhouses
http://www.earthrangers.com/wildwire/our-faves/types-of-biomes-2/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/geography/ecosystems/human_uses_rainforest_rev5.shtml
http://www.vicensvives.com/vvweb/_pdf/Geography_&_History_1_power_point/06%20Geography%20an
d%20History%201.1.pdf
Fill up this chart
Type of biome
Location
climate
Vegetation and
animals
Population
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Why are they differently populated?
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Explain the impact of tourism in some parts of Spain, economically and environmentally. Has this
impact been necessary?