TROPICAL CLIMATES
Done By: Brendon Koh (12) Lorcan (20)
Matthew Ng (21) Yong Gene (24)
Location
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Region surrounding the Earth’s equator
Between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic
of Capricorn
Brazil, Australia, Chile, Algeria, Egypt, Libya,
Hong Kong, Indonesia, India, Thailand,
Singapore etc. (100 in total)
Abbreviations:
Af - Tropical Rainforest Climate
Am - Tropical Monsoon Climate
Aw - Tropical Savanna Climate
Characteristics of Tropical Climates
● Usually occur 5-10o latitude of the equator,
but can extend up to 25o away from the
equator in some eastern-coast areas
● Non-arid climate with temperatures of at
least 18oC
● Tropical storms and cyclones can occur
● Three types of tropical climates
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Tropical Rainforest Climate
○ Tropical Monsoon Climate
○ Tropical Savanna Climate
Tropical Rainforest Climates
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All 12 months with average precipitation of at
least 60mm
Usually occur within 5-10o latitude of the
equator, though in some eastern-coastal
areas, they may extend up to 25o away from
the equator
No natural seasons, dominated by Doldrums
Low Pressure System all year round
Examples:
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Philippines (Cebu), Singapore, Malaysia (Kuching)
Abbreviations:
Af - Tropical Rainforest Climate
Tropical sunset in Kota Kinabalu(Tropical
Rainforest)
Tropical Monsoon Climates
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Results from monsoon winds that changes
directions according to the seasons
The climate has a driest month with rainfall
less than 60mm, but more than (100 - total
annual precipitation(mm)/25)
Examples:
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Cairns, Queensland, Australia
Miami, Florida, United States
Chittagong, Bangladesh
Abidjan, Ivory Coast
Macapa, Brazil
Abbreviations:
Am - Tropical Monsoon Climate
Tropical Savanna Climates
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Generally have a pronounced dry season,
with the driest month having a precipitation
of less than 60mm and also less than (100 total annual precipitation(mm)/25)
Features distinct wet and dry seasons of
relatively equal durations
Examples:
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Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Jakarta, Indonesia
Cartagena, Columbia
Rio De Janeirio, Brazil
Savannas in Tanzania
(Tropical Savanna)
Abbreviations:
Aw - Tropical Savanna Climate
Adaptations
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Housing:
White in colour to minimise heat gain as less
sunlight is absorbed while more is reflected
Energy Recovery Ventilation used to reduce the
humidity load of ventilation on the mechanical
dehumidification system
heat pump hot water heaters also act to cool
and condense interior humidity (where it can be
dumped into drains ) and dump the heat into the
hot water tank
Adaptations:
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Animals:
Caimans, turtles and anacondas can swim and cope
with a lot of rainfall in the tropical climate
Nocturnal to avoid high temperature of the day and the
competition from diurnal animals such as bats
Keen sense of hearing/sight to capture prey and protect
themselves
Colour: Able to camouflage with surroundings to avoid
capture from predators
The toucan has a long large beak to reach fruits in
branches.
Elephant has large ears to keep cool by increased
exposed surface area of circulation to lose heat to
Adaptations
Plants:
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Some plants grow on other plants/climb to reach
sunlight for photosynthesis
Some plants have stilt roots to hold up plants in shallow
soil.
Some plants collect rainwater into a central reservoir for
use.
Fine thin leaves to reduce transpiration/water loss to the
environment
Spikes and thorns to deter predators
Drip Tips and waxy surfaces allow water to run off
easily in order to discourage growth of bacteria and
Human Activities in Tropical Climate
Human Activities:
Farming/Crop Growing
Gardening
Photography
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Horti-culture (What kind of crops are suitable to
grow in these areas)
1. Papaya
2. Rubber Tree
3. Coconut
4. Banana
5. Palms (Oil)
Adaptations
Agriculture:
1. Cassava
2. Maize
3. Corn
4. Sorghum
5. Barley
6. Taro
7. Sweet Potato 8. Millet
9. Cowpea
10. Yam
11. Tobacco
12.
Sugarcane 13. Beans
14. Chickpea
15. Tea
16. Coffee
17. Cocoa (chocalate)
Specific Examples
Singapore:
High temperature (Average 27.5 Degrees
Celsius)
High humidity ( 84.2% Humidity)
Annual Rainfall of 2343mm
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Jakarta::
High temperature (Average 27.6 Degrees
Celsius)
High Humidity (81% Humidity)
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Temperature & Rainfall Graph of
Singapore
Some Interesting Facts
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Tropical regions are located in South
America, Australia, New Zealand and Japan.
Non-arid
climate
with
temperature above 18°C.
an
average
Temperature during the day usually ascends
above 35°C.
Covered by clouds in the night, resulting in a
temperature drop to ~ 22°C
Tropical
areas
cover
6-7%
of
Earth’s
Some Interesting Facts #2
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Rainforests in tropical regions are full of
dangerous creatures like poisonous snakes.
A great number of animal species can be
found in the rainforest as it is dense and has
a diversified vegetation
Carnivorous animals like the Puma and
Cougar, are the great hunters of the
Rainforest.
Many primates such as the Orangutan, the
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