Climate November 2011 Climate Average weather conditions of

Climate November 2011

§ Climate § Average weather conditions of an area over a long period of time § 3 Climate Zones on Earth § § § Tropical Temperate Polar

Natural Factors that affect climate § Latitude (distance from the equator)

Natural Factors that affect climate § Prevailing winds in the Atmosphere

Natural Factors that affect climate § Mountain formations

Natural Factors that affect climate § Large Water Bodies

Natural Factors that affect climate § Ocean Currents

Biomes § § § Region of similar climate Similar plant/animal life Examples: § Tundra § Tropical rain forest

Tropical (near equator) § Rain Forest § Very poor soil § Most diverse place on Earth

Tropical § Savanna § Tall grass § Few trees § Poor soil § Large mammals

Tropical § Desert § Very hot and dry § Sandy § Warmer days, cooler nights § Small animals § Many plants have waxy outer layer

Temperate (middle latitude) § Forest § Deciduous trees mostly § Fertile soil § Diverse animal life § We live here

Temperate § Grassland § Warm summer § Cool winters § Most fertile soil § (farming)

Temperate § Chaparral § Hot, dry summers § Cool, wet winters § Moderate precipitation § Low lying plants mostly § Poor soil

Temperate § Desert § Little precipitation § Very cold nights (little clouds) § Waxy vegetation

Polar (near N or S pole) § Tundra § Short rooted plants § Grow close to ground § Short summer § Very muddy § Long winter

Polar § Taiga § Long cold winters § Short summers § Coniferous trees (needles) § Precipitation is moderate