Science Grade 9 • Unit 13: Climate

These flashcards cover key terms and definitions related to climate types and the Köppen Climate Classification System, essential for understanding environmental science.

Köppen Climate Classification System

A systematic classification method for climate that categorizes climates based on temperature and precipitation data.

Moist Tropical Climates (A)

Characterized by high temperatures and precipitation year-round. Includes rainforest biomes.

Dry Climates (B)

Includes steppe and desert climates, characterized by low precipitation.

Humid Middle Latitude Climates (C)

Characterized by warm, dry summers and cold, wet winters. It includes deciduous forest biomes.

Continental Climates (D)

Found in the interior of continents and characterized by low precipitation with temperature variations.

Cold Climates (E)

Characterized by extreme cold, permanent ice presence, and often tundra.

Biome

A large geographical biotic unit with plants and animals adapted to its climate.

High-Latitude Climates (Group III)

Climates dominated by polar and arctic air masses, exclusive to the northern hemisphere.

Boreal Forest Climate (Dfc)

Characterized by long, very cold winters and short, cool summers, home to needle-leaf forests.

Tundra Climate (E)

Found in coastal arctic areas, characterized by low temperatures and no true summer.

Mediterranean Climate (Cs)

Experiences wet winters and very dry summers, often characterized by chaparral vegetation.

Dry Mid-latitude Climates (BS)

Semi-arid landscapes found between arid zones and humid climates, often grasslands.

Wet-dry Tropical Climates (Aw)

Experiences seasonal transitions from wet to dry periods; hosts savanna biome.

Tropical Moist Climates (Af)

Characterized by high rainfall and humidity year-round, often found near the equator.

Flora and Fauna

The plants (flora) and animals (fauna) adapted to a specific climate or biome.

Climate Boundaries

Transitional lines that distinguish different climate types, influenced by multiple environmental factors.

Climate Zones

Regions of Earth coded by climate characteristics such as temperature and precipitation.

Climate Classification

The systematic arrangement of climate types based on specific criteria such as temperature and precipitation.