Geography Notes Final

Geography Notes : PPA2 Revision Climate, Vegetation and Deforestation 1)Climate: With respects to reading a climograph, be able to tell what climatic region the graph represents, and be able to describe what you see on the graph. Make sure to use proper geographical terms, key terms. a)Equatorial b)Tropical monsoon c)Cool temperate P​oint- what you see on the graph D​escriptor word/​A​dverb R​eading from graph(stats) Please refer to ​AS1 climate​ for all of the descriptors. For example, ​temperature P -​ High annual temperature D/A - ​High R - ​25.1 degrees Celsius 2) Vegetation: Characteristics and Adaptations Make sure to use proper geographical terms for describing/ explain the characteristics and adaptations. a)Equatorial b)Coniferous c)Mangroves Refer to the following ​handout Know the skill PEEL and PPECS to answer this type of question. 3) Deforestation: Causes and Effects (+ve + -ve) (solutions good to know) Know the skill PEEL and PPECS to answer this type of question. Refer to ​HD1 Deforestation ​for the causes and effects.

Climates: Recap from Year 1 definition of ​weather​: specific atmospheric conditions in a short period (e.g. day/night) definition of ​climate:​ average conditions over a long period of time (usually >30 years) When describing the climate shown in a climograph, use the following terms: [adhere to this strictly] a) adjective for temperature fluctuating / slight fluctuation / (almost) constant / b) adjective for precipitation evenly distributed / unevenly distributed / distinct wet and dry seasons / seasonal precipitation / throughout the year / some dry months - specific descriptors for details : high moderate low i) mean annual temperature (°C) > 20 10 - 20 < 10 ii) total precipitation (mm) > 1000 250 - 1000 <250 iii) annual temperature range (°C) > 10 5 - 10 < 5 iv) descriptor for temperature range Large Small Very small Altitude ➢is not affected when below 500 m ➢every 1000 m increase will result in a rough decrease of 6.5°C Influence of Climate on Vegetation Growth Different types of natural vegetation are found in different parts of the world. Important factors of climate that affect vegetation growth include: ➢Temperature ○Temperature influences plant growth. Most plants are unable to survive under 6°C. This explains the lack of vegetation under places with polar climates, whereby temperatures are usually sub-zero. Only plants such as moss and lichen are able to adapt to the harsh conditions of polar climate. ○On the other hand, in places with temperatures consistently above 20°C, growth of plants, especially trees - are abundant. ➢Precipitation ○Plant growth is also highly influenced by the precipitation found in an area as it affects the photosynthesis rate of the plant. Many forests are found in areas where precipitation is high (1000mm and above per year) and grasslands are found in

areas with moderate precipitation (200mm - 1000mm) and few plants can be found in areas with little or no precipitation. Important Things to Note when Evaluating Climographs a)deduce​ climate [take note of axis when evaluating climate] b)quote evidence​ (highest, lowest, distribution, precipitation, temperature) c)explain​ why the evidence helps strengthen deduction [use the correct descriptors] d)suggest type of natural vegetation likely to thrive and explain why [not so much in description questions] e)link​ back by ​concluding​ that the climograph is of a certain climate Key Characteristics of Specific Climate Climate Equatorial Tropical Monsoon Cool Temperate Temperature: High ​average annual temperature Small ​temperature range -High humidity level -Low latitude Almost constant ​distribution of temperature Temperature: High ​average annual temperature Temperature range​ ​is dependent, ranging from small to large. Fluctuating​ temperature Temperature: Low ​average annual temperature Large​ temperature range Seasonal ​distribution of temperature Precipitation: High ​average annual precipitation Even ​distribution of rainfall throughout the year -High solar radiation which results in high relative humidity -Water vapour → Convection current → Rainfall -Convectional rain Precipitation: Moderate to High ​average annual precipitation Uneven ​distribution of rainfall throughout the year Distinct wet and dry seasons -Convection currents Precipitation: Low​ average annual precipitation Relatively even ​distribution of rainfall throughout the year -Precipitation may come in the form of snow due to low temperatures Equatorial Climate: Found: Near the Equator Characteristics:

Temperature Distribution: Constant distribution Precipitation Distribution: Constant distribution Mean Annual Temperature: >25°C Total Annual Precipitation: 1500mm-2000mm Tropical Monsoon Climate: Found: Within 23°S to 23°N (Tropic of cancer and tropic of capricorn) Temperature Distribution: Fluctuate Precipitation Distribution: Unevenly distributed/Seasonal (due to monsoons) Mean Annual Temperature: >25°C Total Annual Precipitation: Cool Temperate Climate: Found: Between 45°S/N and 45°S/N Temperature Distribution​: Fluctuate Precipitation Distribution: ​Unevenly distributed/Seasonal (due to monsoons) Mean Annual Temperature: >25°C Total Annual Precipitation:

Rainforests: Tropical Equatorial Rainforest Equatorialrainforestsarefoundinareaswithhot,wetclimate,wherethereishightemperatureand high rainfall throughout the year. They can be found in the following regions: -Amazon Basin of Brazil, South America -Zaire/Congo Basin of Africa -Central America -South-east Asia -Parts of western Peninsular India & Bangladesh Characteristics ➢Between 10°N and 10°S of the Equator ➢About 27°C and 1500mm ➢High biodiversity of flora and fauna ➢Sparse undergrowth with dense emergence and canopy layers ➢5 vertical layers Structure of a Tropical Rainforest Emergent Layer ➢Made up of tallest trees called scattered emergents. ➢Grow up to 40 - 50 m Canopy Layer ➢Crowns here form a continuous canopy. ➢Prevents sunlight from reaching the ground. ➢Trees are 20 - 30 metres tall ➢Presence of non-parasitic plants Understorey Layer ➢Smaller trees with narrow crowns ➢Trees are 5 - 15 metres tall ➢presence of some lianas & epiphytes Shrub Layer ➢Consists of shrubs, ferns & small young trees Ground Layer ➢Sparse vegetation due to lack of sunlight ➢Saprophytes [fungus etc.], small plants & ferns

Tropical Mangrove Forest: Mangrovesarevarioustypesoftreesuptomediumheightandshrubsthatgrowin​salinecoastal sedimenthabitats​withlowwaveaction​inthe​tropics​andsubtropics​mainly​betweenlatitudes 25°N and 25°S. Mangroveforestsarefoundwithinthetropics,coveringmorethan240000sqkmofcoastallandin the world. Regions where mangrove forests are located (between 25°N and 25°S): -Coastal districts of all insular South-east Asian countries, especially Indonesia -Coastal districts of tropical Brazil, Venezuela and the Guianas -Central America & the Caribbean islands. E.g. Mexico, Panama and Cuba -Tropical African coastland, east and west Africa -Northern Australia, southern India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka Mangrovesgrowinintertidalzoneswithsalty,brackishwater,wheresoilismuddy,waterlogged anddeficientinoxygen.Theyarehalophytictrees,i.e.theyaresalt-lovingplants.Therearethree main communities: Avicennia​ (coastal zone) -Colonise mud banks that are usually exposed at neap tides Sonneratia ​(middle/intertidal zone): -Only come into contact with salt water when the tide comes Bruguiera ​(inland zone) -Has the least contact with salt water -Least salt tolerant Characteristics ➢Between 23.5°N and 23.5°S of the Equator ➢About