HOMEWORK Finish the powerpoint and start to think about your
presentation towards grade 7 students.
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REVIEW Amazon Amazon basin Panama canal Isthmus Natural
resources
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Climate and vegetation of South America BY KRU DANNY
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VOCABULARY Biodiversity Elevated climates Five vertical climate
zones Climate types Peru current Brazil current
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Diverse climates make Latin America a region of contrasts.
Steamy rain forests, arid deserts, grassy plains, and beaches are
all part of the region. In the dense vegetation of the rain forest,
the worlds greatest biodiversity exists, as millions of plants and
animals live together. Biodiversity = a variety of all living
(biotic) things
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Although located in the tropics, some areas of Latin America
are more affected by elevation, than by distance from the equator.
This is a vertical climate zone, in which soil, crops, livestock
and climate change as altitude increases. The Spanish describe five
vertical climate zones which are found in Middle and western parts
of South America.
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Above the tree line (12,000 to 16,000 feet) are the Tierra
Nevada and the Puna climate zones. The Tierra Nevada (frozen land)
is a zone of permanent snow and ice on the peaks of the Andes. The
Helda/Puna is a cold zone which supports some grasses suitable for
sheep and alpacas.
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The Tierra fria (cold land) at 6,000 12,000 feet, winter frosts
are common, but potatoes and barely grow well. The Tierra fria is
Middle Americas highest climate zone. Cities such as Mexico,
Bogota, Colombia are in this climate zone. The Tierra templada
(temperate land) lies between 2,500 6,000 feet vegetation grows
well here such as coffee beans and corn. The Tierra caliente (hot
land) lies at sea level, 0 2,500 feet. This is the hottest area and
also the wettest where bananas, sugar and rice are the main
crops.
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CLIMATE AND VEGETATION REGIONS
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Compare the climate map and the physical map on the next slide
to see how elevation affects both climate and natural
vegetation.
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Tropical dry A tropical dry climate is typical of the coast of
southwestern Mexico, most Caribbean islands, and north-central
South America. These areas have high temperatures and lots of rain,
but also experience a dry season. Generally, these areas are not
suited to large scale agriculture as the soil is not very
fertile.
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Tropical wet climate A tropical wet climate with tropical rain
forest vegetation dominates much of the region. High temperatures
and rain year-round result from the areas location on the equator
and the winds that carry warm, moist air from the Atlantic ocean.
The worlds largest tropical rain forest, the Amazon Basin, trees
grow close together forming a canopy (a dense layer of leaves)
which stops sunlight hitting the forest floor.
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Humid subtropical A humid subtropical climate prevails over
much of southeastern South America. Winters here are short with
cool to mild temperatures. Summers are long, hot and humid.
Rainfall is generally uniform (same) throughout the year. Short
grasses are the natural vegetation, but overgrazing has lead to
problems which make agriculture difficult in areas.
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Dry climates Parts of Mexico, coastal Peru and Chile and
Argentina, have desert climates and vegetation. Shifting winds and
the cold Peru Current combine to create dry coastal deserts. In
contrast, the Brazil Current brings warmer climates to the south.
The Atacama desert is a coastal desert so arid that in some places
no rainfall has ever been recorded.
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REVIEW Biodiversity Elevated (vertical) climates Five vertical
climate zones Climate types Peru current Brazil current