HOMEWORK Finish the powerpoint and start to think about your presentation towards grade 7 students.

REVIEW Amazon Amazon basin Panama canal Isthmus Natural resources

Climate and vegetation of South America BY KRU DANNY

VOCABULARY Biodiversity Elevated climates Five vertical climate zones Climate types Peru current Brazil current

Diverse climates make Latin America a region of contrasts. Steamy rain forests, arid deserts, grassy plains, and beaches are all part of the region. In the dense vegetation of the rain forest, the world’s greatest biodiversity exists, as millions of plants and animals live together. Biodiversity = a variety of all living (biotic) things

Although located in the tropics, some areas of Latin America are more affected by elevation, than by distance from the equator. This is a vertical climate zone, in which soil, crops, livestock and climate change as altitude increases. The Spanish describe five vertical climate zones which are found in Middle and western parts of South America.

Above the tree line (12,000 to 16,000 feet) are the Tierra Nevada and the Puna climate zones. The Tierra Nevada (frozen land) is a zone of permanent snow and ice on the peaks of the Andes. The Helda/Puna is a cold zone which supports some grasses suitable for sheep and alpacas.

Cities such as Mexico, Bogota, Colombia are in this climate zone. The Tierra fria (cold land) at 6,000 – 12,000 feet, winter frosts are common, but potatoes and barely grow well. The Tierra fria is Middle America’s highest climate zone. Cities such as Mexico, Bogota, Colombia are in this climate zone. The Tierra templada (temperate land) lies between 2,500 – 6,000 feet vegetation grows well here such as coffee beans and corn. The Tierra caliente (hot land) lies at sea level, 0 – 2,500 feet. This is the hottest area and also the wettest where bananas, sugar and rice are the main crops.

CLIMATE AND VEGETATION REGIONS

Compare the climate map and the physical map on the next slide to see how elevation affects both climate and natural vegetation.

Tropical dry A tropical dry climate is typical of the coast of southwestern Mexico, most Caribbean islands, and north-central South America. These areas have high temperatures and lots of rain, but also experience a dry season. Generally, these areas are not suited to large scale agriculture as the soil is not very fertile.

Tropical wet climate A tropical wet climate with tropical rain forest vegetation dominates much of the region. High temperatures and rain year-round result from the areas location on the equator and the winds that carry warm, moist air from the Atlantic ocean. The world’s largest tropical rain forest, the Amazon Basin, trees grow close together forming a canopy (a dense layer of leaves) which stops sunlight hitting the forest floor.

Humid subtropical A humid subtropical climate prevails over much of southeastern South America. Winters here are short with cool to mild temperatures. Summers are long, hot and humid. Rainfall is generally uniform (same) throughout the year. Short grasses are the natural vegetation, but overgrazing has lead to problems which make agriculture difficult in areas.

In contrast, the Brazil Current brings warmer climates to the south. Dry climates Parts of Mexico, coastal Peru and Chile and Argentina, have desert climates and vegetation. Shifting winds and the cold Peru Current combine to create dry coastal deserts. In contrast, the Brazil Current brings warmer climates to the south. The Atacama desert is a coastal desert so arid that in some places no rainfall has ever been recorded.

REVIEW Biodiversity Elevated (vertical) climates Five vertical climate zones Climate types Peru current Brazil current