Climate and Vegetation Vocab

Social Studies

Weather

The condition of the air and sky from day to day.

Precipitation

Water that falls to the ground as rain, sleet, hail, or snow.

Climate

Average weather over many years

Vegetation

Plants that grow in a region.

Temperature

How hot or cold the air is.

Tropical climates

A hot climate with year-round rainfall (rain forests)

Dry climates

Very hot summers and mild winters, with very little rain. Not much vegetation.

Temperature marine climates

A good amount of rain, warm summers and mild winters. Variety of vegetation. Usually near water.

Temperature continental climates

Summers are moderate to hot, while winters are very cold. Average rainfall, with forests. (Rhode Island)

Polar climates

Cold all year, no vegetation.

Desert

Hot and dry climates with no to little vegetation.

Tropical rainforest

Thousands of large trees, very diverse vegetation.

Tropical savanna

A park-like landscape of grasslands with scattered trees.

Desert scrub

A low desert vegetation that needs little water.

Mediterranean Vegetation

Grasses, shrubs, and low trees; Usually found in marine climate zones.

Temperate Grassland

Vast grasslands, mix of tall grasses and other plants.

Deciduous Forest

Trees that lose their leaves ex: oak and maple trees.

Coniferous Forest

Trees that don’t lose their leaves. Ex:pine trees.

Tundra

Cold climate with low-lying vegetation.

Highland

Vegetation growth depends on elevations; As elevation changes, temperature changes.

Pack Ice

Ice that forms on water.

Ice Cap

Ice that forms on land.