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

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

3. 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

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

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

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

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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!

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. Canada’s Weather
October 25, 2004

15. Continental and Maritime Climates
LOWERN
Continental and Maritime Climates
Continental Climate Maritime Climate

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

17. 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.

18. 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

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

20. 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)