1. Climate & Vegetation
Chapter 2
Section 3 & 4

2. Weather & Climate
Weather: unpredictable changes in air that take place over a short period of time
Climate: predictable pattern of weather in an area over a long period of time

3. Tropic of Cancer & Tropic of Capricorn
Tropic of Cancer 23 ½˚N
Tropic of Capricorn 23 ½˚S

4. Tropics Area between the Tropic of Cancer & Tropic of Capricorn

5. Would you like to live in the Tropics?

19. Areas within the Tropic Region
Central America: Southern Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica, Panama, El Salvador
South America: Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador
Majority of Africa
Caribbean: Parts of Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica, Dominican Republic
Asia: Southern India, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam
Northern Parts of Australia
Middle East: Southern Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman

20. Tropics

21. Facts About the Tropics
During the year, the sun’s direct rays move between the Tropic of Cancer & the Tropic of Capricorn
GEO FACT:
The sun is directly overhead the Tropic of Cancer on ~June 21 (Summer Solstice) (Summer in Northern Hemisphere)
The sun is directly overhead the Tropic of Capricorn on ~Dec. 22 (Winter Solstice) (Summer in Southern Hemisphere
The sun is directly overhead the Equinox on ~ March 21/Sept. 23 (Equinox) (Spring in one hemisphere/Autumn in the other)
Outside the Tropics, the sun is never directly overhead
Climate in the Tropics is almost always warm, except in high altitudes (mountains)

22. Wind’s Effect on Climate
Winds follow prevailing, or typical patterns
El Niño: cold winds from East are weak causing some areas to have more rain & others to have less; occurs about every 3 years
El Niña: cold winds from East are strong causing heavy clouds to form in the western Pacific

23. Normal Conditions
El Niño Conditions

24. Currents Carry warm or cool water through the world’s oceans
Warm currents move along Equator & toward the Poles
Cold currents move along the Poles & toward the Equator
As the wind blows over the warm waters, it can bring warmer air to different areas of the Earth (same applies to cold water)

25. Turn to Page RA28
Leatherback turtles ride along the ocean current as they travel from Australia to the western part of Tasmania (just south of Australia)

26. How do currents affect climate?
Case Study: London vs. Boston
Look at the graphic of World Ocean Currents on page 57
Why do you think snow is more likely in Boston than London?
Answer: Because the Gulf Stream is a warm ocean current and as the air blows (moving West to East) over this warm water, it carries warm air to western Europe. Therefore, climate is warmer in western Europe than it is in New England.

27. Landform’s Effects on Climate
The shape of the land affects climate
Local Winds: patterns of wind caused by landforms in a particular area
Examples:
Air warmed by the Sun rises up a mountain during the day, at night the air moves down the mountain and becomes fog.

28. Types of Climate
Chapter 2
Section 3

29. Types of Climate Tropical Mid-Latitude High Latitude Dry Highland
In addition, these also have sub groups.

30. Chapter 2; Section 3 Tropical Climates Mid-Latitude Climates
Tropical Rain Forest Climate
Tropical Savanna Climate
Mid-Latitude Climates
Marine West Coast Climate
Mediterranean Climate
Humid Continental Climate
Humid Subtropical Climate
High Latitude Climates
Subarctic Climate
Tundra Climate
Ice Cap Climate
Dry Climates
Desert Climate
Steppe Climate
Highland Climates

31. I. Tropical Climate
Tropical climates lie in the Tropics area between the Tropic of Cancer & Tropic of Capricorn.
A. Tropical Rain Forest Climate zones experience year-round rains that produce lush vegetation and thick rain forests.
Tropical Savanna Climate 1. Amazon Basin is world’s largest rain forest.
B. Tropical Savanna Climate zones experience two seasons: wet and dry.
1. Savannas, broad grasslands with few trees, are the main type of vegetation

33. Tropical Climates
Tropical Rain Forest
Tropical Savanna

34. Mid-Latitude
Marine West Coast
Mediterranean

35. Humid Subtropical
Humid Continental

36. High Latitude
Subarctic
(Taiga)

37. Tundra

38. Ice Cap

39. Dry Climates
Desert

40. Steppe

41. Highland

42. An Environmental Balance
Chapter 2
Section 4

43. It’s all Greek to me! Earth’s Four Parts Atmosphere (Air)
Lithosphere (Stone)
Hydrosphere (Water)
Biosphere (Life)

44. Negative Human Effects on Earth
Atmosphere
Air pollution causes depletion of ozone layer
Acid Rain forms as air pollution combines with precipitation
Lithosphere
Deforestation: cutting down trees without replanting
Depletion of Topsoil (Solution: Crop Rotation)
Hydrosphere
Irrigation sometimes causes water waste
Pesticides can seep into groundwater & pollute
Biosphere
Invasion of Ecosystems

45. Trees in the Great Smoky Mountains killed by acid rain.