1. January 26 th, 2015 READ: Priceless Florida Chapter 2, pages 19-24

2. Physical Factors shape ecosystems Geology + Climate and weather! May determine ecosystems location Determines where organisms can live and survive

3. What do you know about Florida’s climate and weather patterns? How would you describe it to someone who lives else where?

4. Weather vs. Climate Weather = Today’s weather is cool and sunny with possible showers. Climate= Florida’s climate is mild but humid, dry and rainy seasons.

5. Temperature and Precipitation Peninsula very long, North to South Climate varies between these regions North FL: temperate South FL: subtropical Keys: tropical North FL, cooler in winters, more rain

6. Precipitation Average-53 inches a year Varies by region though Pensacola ~60 inches on average East Coast~ 50 inches on average Wet and Dry Seasons in FL Winters are dryest (Oct-Dec) Summers, wet all over N. Florida- Wetter in Dec-April than S. FL.

7. Precipitation

8. Seasons Spring: Feb-April Spring is “Fall” New leaf growth pushes out OLD, Leaves fall in Spring. Summer: Hot, rainy, humid Begins May-June Cities, 10 degrees hotter! 90’s during day Rarely below 70 at night Fall: Late Oct-Dec. Red maple, Cypress change color Leaves change, but more subtle N. FL, 1 st frost Winter: Cold fronts bring rain, cooler temps S. FL, rarely dips below 60 N. FL, several nights of freezing temps

9. Surrounded by water Most areas at this latitude are dry, deserts with large variations in temperature FL surrounded by water on 3 sides:

10. Tropical Storms and Hurricanes Tropical storms = 40mph winds Hurricanes = 70+ mph winds Wind Waves, Storm Surge Rain

11. Effects on Ecosystems Living things adapted to FL temperatures, sunlight, rain, droughts, fires, winds, storms. Native species better adapted Ecosystems used to these fluctuations

12. Why variations in Earth’s temperatures?