ESS - Climate & Biomes

Climate

atmospheric conditions over relatively long periods of time

Weather

conditions in the atmosphere over a short period of time.

Biome

group of similar ecosystems that have developed in similar climatic conditions

Tropical grasslands

A grassland biome typically located between 5 and 20° north and south of the equator with much sunshine, high temperatures and distinct wet and dry seasons. Consistently warm, with average temperatures in the range 20–30°C. Annual precipitation ranges from 500 mm – 1,500 mm. Soil fertility varies, often reduced by nutrient leaching in the wet season

Tropical forests

Forests with a tropical climate, hot and humid year long with a high biodiversity of species. Occur near the equator in South America, Central Africa, and Southeast Asia. They feature consistent high insolation, temperatures of 20–30°C, and annual precipitation of 2,000–5,000 mm. Soil quality can be poor because nutrients are rapidly taken up and stored in biomass, and heavy rains can cause nutrient leaching. The thick tree canopy can limit the amount of sunlight that reaches ground-level plants

Temperate forests

Forests with temperate climates, hot summers followed by cold winters with a medium level of biodiversity.

Taiga (boreal forests)

Forests with a really cold climate, with low levels of biodiversity

Temperate grasslands

A terrestrial biome characterised by grasses and shrubs, located in mid-latitudes with moderate temperatures and distinct seasons.

Cold deserts

Deserts with cold and long winters between -2 and 4 °C, and short summers between 20 and 25 °C .

Tundra

Large, flat, treeless Arctic region of Europe, Asia, and North America with permafrost. Cold with low precipitation, and cover approximately 10% of the Earth’s land surface.

Arctic tundra

Biomes that are cold with low precipitation, located at high latitudes.

Alpine tundra

Biomes that are cold with low precipitation, located at high altitudes.

Insolation

The amount of solar radiation that reaches an area or object.

Tropical climate

climate zones found near the equator with high temperatures and humidity.

Equatorial tropical climates

experience consistently high temperatures and high rainfall year-round, which support lush, biodiverse rainforests.

Seasonal tropical climates

Tropical climate with wet and dry seasons, biomes found in this climate zone include tropical rainforests, tropical grasslands, and hot deserts.

Temperate climates

Climate zones found in mid-latitude regions with moderate temperatures and distinct seasons.

Maritime temperate climates

A temperate climate zone that is typically near coastlines experience milder winters, cooler summers, higher humidity and more consistent rainfall due to the ocean's moderating influence.

Continental temperate climates

Temperate climate zone found inland away from water bodies that have more extreme temperature variations, less humidity, and greater seasonal variation in precipitation and overall drier conditions. Biomes found in this climate zone include temperate forests and temperate grasslands.

Polar climates

Climate zones found near the Earth's poles with extremely cold temperatures year-round. Precipitation is minimal, mostly snow, creating vast ice sheets and glaciers. Biomes found in this climate zone include arctic tundra and boreal forests (taiga).

Forests

Covering large woody areas.

Temperate deciduous forests

located between 40° and 60° latitude mainly in East Asia, North America, and Europe, experience four seasons. Summer temperatures range from 20–25°C, while winters are cold but usually above 0°C. Annual precipitation ranges from 500 – 1,500 mm.

Hot Deserts

Desert with a hot and dry climate over the year, located 15–30° north and south of the equator. With high insolation, daytime temperatures are consistently 29–35°C, but nights are cold.

Tropical cyclones

A rapidly circulating storm system with a low-pressure centre that originates in the tropics and is characterized by strong wind speeds exceeding 119 km/hr

Ocean Currents

Patterns of water movement in the oceans that influence climate zones and weather patterns.

Surface Water Currents

Currents that involve horizontal and vertical movements of water in the upper 400 m of oceans. These currents are powered by atmospheric wind patterns and energy from the Sun.

Thermohaline circulation/deep water currents

Currents that occur at below 400 m in and below segments of the oceans. They are driven by the differences in water densities, which are impacted by changes in temperature and salinity.

Walker circulation

An east-west atmospheric circulation system above the equatorial Pacific. Changes to this circulation system can result in El Niño or La Niña conditions.

El Nino

An unusual warming of surface waters in the eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean near the west coast of South America. The east-west trade winds weaken or reverse, causing the eastward flow of warm surface water along the equator, from the western Pacific to the eastern Pacific along the west coast of northern South America

La Nina

Unusual cooling of surface waters in the eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean near South America. The east-west trade winds become stronger, intensifying the normal ocean circulation patterns.