All forms of water that fall from the atmosphere
Convectional PrecipitationLighter, warmer air absorbs more moistureWhen the air cools, excess water is released,
forming cloudsWhen clouds become “full,” water is released
(rain, snow, sleet, or hail)Common in the tropics
Precipitation
Precipitation comes down and finds its way down to the lowest point through Ground run-off rivers and streamsSubsurface run-off
Back into the atmosphere throughEvaporation (liquid into gas) from bodies of
waterTranspiration – evaporation from plants
Hydrologic Cycle
Orographic – warm air is forced upwards by mountainsReleases moisture on windward side of the
mountain. The leeward side (away from the wind) is in a rain shadow.
Frontal – two air masses, or fronts, collide. The colder one forces the warmer one up higher.
2 Other Kinds of Precipitation
Most classification systems use temperature and precipitation as major factors
What influences climate?Distance from water- coastal areas often have a
milder climate than inland areas.Elevation-temperature drops about 3.5 degrees
for every 1000 feet of elevationLandforms-any tall structures can effect
climate, creating micro-climates
World Climate Regions
Tropical- Either Wet or Dry. Hot all year long, up to 100 inches/year in precipitation.
Dry-Arid or SemiaridHot days, cool to cold nights18 inches of pre/year at the most
Climate Regions
Moderate- Mediterranean, Humid Subtropical, Marine West CoastHot summers, cool wintersModerate amounts of precipitation
Continental- Humid or subarcticWarm/cool summers and cold/very cold wintersModerate precipitation
Polar- Tundra or Ice CapDuh, it’s cold.Precipitation- snow. Lots of snow.
Plant Community- natural grouping of plants that can survive successfully in a particular environment
Biome- Environment, plants, and animals are well-suited to one another.
Vegetation Regions
Tropical Rain ForestNear the equatorLarge amounts of rainTall trees form a canopy, or a thick covering of
foliage that blocks out much of the sun. (A “tree-roof”)
Forest Regions
Mid-Latitude ForestTemperate climatesDeciduous trees- shed their leaves during one
seasonConiferous Forest
“Cone-iferous” – cones protect seedsColder areas“Needle” trees – Pine, Spruce, Fir. Thin, long
leaves expose only a small surface to the cold.
ChaparralCalifornia and northern MexicoSmall evergreens and low bushes (“scrub”)Found in other Mediterranean climates under
different names
Tropical – SavannasSome trees; far enough apart to prevent a
canopy.Constant sunlight Plants can survive the dry seasons
Temperate- PrairiesTrees grow near rivers and streamsMostly in North America – the Great PlainsFarmlands
Grasslands
Plants that have adapted to almost no moistureSome, like the cactus, store waterSmall leaves – almost no evaporationSeeds that lie dormant for yearsLong roots
Desert Vegetation