Ecozones An Ecozone is made up of different characteristics that make this part of Canada different and unique.

Ecozones Climate Human Use Drainage Wildlife Landforms Vegetation Soil Fill in the figure below. Climate Human Use Drainage Ecozones Wildlife Landforms Vegetation Soil

2. Climate and Weather temperature, precipitation and wind. Weather is the day-to-day characteristics of temperature, precipitation and wind. Climate long-term patterns of weather

3. This map below is a weather map. It shows the conditions for one day. Canada’s Weather October 3, 2005

4. Canada’s Climate There are 6 main factors that make Canada’s climate different.

LOWERN L = Latitude O = Ocean Currents W = Wind E = Elevation R = Relief N = Nearness to Water

L = Latitude: 1. The distance (north and south) from the equator (0o). LOWERN L = Latitude: 1. The distance (north and south) from the equator (0o). 2. Regions close to the equator are warmer since direct sun’s rays produce more heat. 3. Latitude determines if a region is hot or cold.

O = Ocean Currents 1. Ocean currents bring warm or cold water to new places 2. If the ocean current is warm then it will heat the air above it. 3. If the ocean current is cold then it will cool the air above it.

W = Wind: 1. Wind moves hot and cold air to other parts of the world. LOWERN W = Wind: 1. Wind moves hot and cold air to other parts of the world. 2. If there is no wind, our weather wouldn’t change very much!

E = Elevation: 1. Elevation: refers to the height above sea level. LOWERN E = Elevation: 1. Elevation: refers to the height above sea level. 2. The higher up you are the colder it gets.

R = Relief: 1. Relief: refers to physical features such LOWERN R = Relief: 1. Relief: refers to physical features such as mountain ranges (i.e. big difference in elevation). 2. Mountains act like a barrier to air masses.

N = Nearness to Water: 1. Regions that are close to LOWERN N = Nearness to Water: 1. Regions that are close to oceans and large lakes have different climates. 2. In the summer  water remains cooler than the land and when wind blows, it brings cool air over the land. 3. In the winter  water keeps its heat and when wind blows, it bring warm air over the land.

5. Continental and Maritime Climates LOWERN 5. Continental and Maritime Climates A region that is close to a large body of water (ocean or large lakes) has a Maritime Climate. A region that is NOT close to a large body of water has a Continental Climate.

Canada’s Weather October 25, 2004

Continental and Maritime Climates LOWERN Continental and Maritime Climates Continental Climate Maritime Climate

So, Canada has different Climates because of…. W = E = R = N = Latitude Ocean Currents Wind Elevation Relief Nearness to water

How does climate affect us? 1. A Drought (no rain, very dry period) can destroy crops and soil. 2. Major snow/rain storms can cause major transportation problems Climate affects the vegetation, soil and wildlife (animals). Climate also affects certain industries in Canada like farming and forestry. 5.Turn over your page to do the next section.

Four Types of Precipitation: Rain, Snow, Hail, Sleet Chinook: A warm wind from the Rocky Mountains that quickly warms Alberta’s temperatures. It is also called the “snow eater” because it can raise temperatures by 21C in 4 minutes! Temperature Range = Highest Temperature – Lowest Temperature

Climate Graphs A Climate Graph shows the average temperatures and precipitation (rainfall), for each month for a region or city.

A Climate Graph should have… 1. Title of region or city 2. Temperature (oC) in a red line 3. Precipitation (mm) drawn in blue blocks 4. Months at the bottom 5. Average Annual temperature (oC) & Total annual precipitation (mm)