All forms of water that fall from the atmosphere Convectional Precipitation Lighter, warmer air absorbs more moisture When the air cools, excess water is released, forming clouds When clouds become “full,” water is released (rain, snow, sleet, or hail) Common in the tropics

Precipitation comes down and finds its way down to the lowest point through Ground run-off rivers and streams Subsurface run-off Back into the atmosphere through Evaporation (liquid into gas) from bodies of water Transpiration – evaporation from plants

Orographic – warm air is forced upwards by mountains Releases moisture on windward side of the mountain. The leeward side (away from the wind) is in a rain shadow. Frontal – two air masses, or fronts, collide. The colder one forces the warmer one up higher.

Most classification systems use temperature and precipitation as major factors What influences climate? Distance from water- coastal areas often have a milder climate than inland areas. Elevation-temperature drops about 3.5 degrees for every 1000 feet of elevation Landforms-any tall structures can effect climate, creating micro-climates

Tropical- Either Wet or Dry. Hot all year long, up to 100 inches/year in precipitation. Dry-Arid or Semiarid Hot days, cool to cold nights 18 inches of pre/year at the most

Moderate- Mediterranean, Humid Subtropical, Marine West Coast Hot summers, cool winters Moderate amounts of precipitation

Continental- Humid or subarctic Warm/cool summers and cold/very cold winters Moderate precipitation Polar- Tundra or Ice Cap Duh, it’s cold. Precipitation- snow. Lots of snow.

Plant Community- natural grouping of plants that can survive successfully in a particular environment Biome- Environment, plants, and animals are well- suited to one another.

Tropical Rain Forest Near the equator Large amounts of rain Tall trees form a canopy, or a thick covering of foliage that blocks out much of the sun. (A “tree-roof”)

Mid-Latitude Forest Temperate climates Deciduous trees- shed their leaves during one season Coniferous Forest “Cone-iferous” – cones protect seeds Colder areas “Needle” trees – Pine, Spruce, Fir. Thin, long leaves expose only a small surface to the cold.

Chaparral California and northern Mexico Small evergreens and low bushes (“scrub”) Found in other Mediterranean climates under different names

Tropical – Savannas Some trees; far enough apart to prevent a canopy. Constant sunlight Plants can survive the dry seasons Temperate- Prairies Trees grow near rivers and streams Mostly in North America – the Great Plains Farmlands

Plants that have adapted to almost no moisture Some, like the cactus, store water Small leaves – almost no evaporation Seeds that lie dormant for years Long roots

High elevations are cool even when sunny Tree-Line: point after which no trees will grow Small plants grow in sheltered areas Plants must be able to deal with little sun, short growing season, and permafrost (permanently frozen layer of soil)