Climates of the World

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Climates of the World

• The Temperate Zone

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Temperate Zone

• Temperate zone the climate zone in between the
  Tropics and the polar zone.
• Moderate temperatures
• 4 biomes temperate forest, temperate grassland,
  chaparral, temperate desert
• U.S. is in the temperate zone

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Temperate Forest

• Lots of rain
• Seasons
• Deciduous forests are the largest
• Deciduous trees that lose their leaves when it
  turns cold.
• Broad leaves
• Fertile soil from decaying leaves

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Temperate Forests

• Evergreens trees that keep their leaves
  year-round
• Broad leaves or needles
• Mixed forests in humid places
• 32º- 82ºF
• 76 250 cm rain

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Life in Temperate Forests

• Deciduous trees
• Oak trees
• Evergreen trees
• Pine Trees
• Shrubs
• Herbs
• Ferns

• Deer
• Bears
• Squirrels
• Wolves
• Wild cats
• Red foxes
• Owls
• Badgers
• Boars

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Temperate Grasslands

• Too little rain for trees
• Warm summers cold winters
• Prairies
• Most fertile land of all biomes
• Often used for crops
• 21ºF - 78ºF
• 38-76 cm rain

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Life in the Temperate Grassland

• Grass
• Large grazing animals
• Buffalo (U.S.)
• Kangaroo (Australia)
• Antelope (Africa)

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Chaparrals

• Cool, wet winters
• Hot, dry summers
• Plants are short woody with waxy leaves
• Waxy leaves prevent water loss
• Rocky, poor soil
• Adapted to fire
• 51ºF - 78ºF
• 48 56 cm rain

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Life in the Chaparrals

• Evergreen shrubs
• Scrubby trees
• Herbs

• Ground squirrels
• Deer
• Elk
• Mountain lions
• Coyotes
• Wolves

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Temperate Deserts

• Very cold nights
• Hot days
• Low humidity, cloudless skies
• Less than 25 cm rain
• Inland, rain shadow side of the mountain.
• 34ºF - 120ºF

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Life in the Temperate Desert

• Cactus
• Shrubs
• Thorny trees
• Poor soil

• Kangaroo rats
• Lizards
• Scorpions
• Snakes
• Birds
• Bats
• Toads

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Climates of the World

• Polar Zone

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Polar Zone

• The northernmost southernmost climate zones
• Coldest temperatures
• 2 biomes Tundra Taiga

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Tundra

• 2nd driest place
• Long, cold winters
• Cool summers
• Only top meter of the ground thaws (muddy)
• Permafrost permanently frozen ground
• Lots of bugs birds
• 17ºF - 41ºF
• 0-25 cm rain

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Life in the Tundra

• Moss
• Lichen
• Sedges
• Dwarf Trees

• Rabbits
• Lemmings
• Reindeer
• Polar bears
• Caribou
• Musk oxen
• Wolves
• Foxes

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Taiga (N. Coniferous Forest)

• South of the tundra
• Long, cold winters (frozen soil)
• Short, warm summers
• Evergreen trees (conifers)
• Acidic soil
• Little plant life
• -14ºF - 59ºF
• 40 61 cm rain

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Life in the Taiga

• Birds
• Rabbits
• Moose
• Elk
• Wolves
• Lynxes
• Bears
• Moss
• Lichen
• Conifers

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Microclimates

• Microclimates small regions with unique climate
  characteristics
• Mountains (Elevation)
• Cities
• 1-2º warmer than surrounding area

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Review

• How are tropical temperate deserts different?
• List describe the three major climate zones.
• Which biomes would be best for growing crops?
• What are two examples of microclimates?

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Answers

• Tropical deserts are hot temperate deserts are
  cold.
• Tropical (hot), temperate (mild), polar (cold).
• Grassland temperate forests
• Mountains cities.