Ecology

Question 1

Temperature

Answer 1

Entirely within the tropics, so main temperature differences are night/day rather than seasonal

Altitude: minus 1 degree (F) per 100 ft of elevation

Oceans make it cooler along the coasts that inland

Question 2

Rainfall - Amount

Answer 2

High Eastern mountains and prevailing winds from the East = Gulf Lowlands 150” annual rainfall

Adjacent Highland areas 10-30” annual rainfall

17-19” per year required for maize

Question 3

Rainfall - Seasonality

Answer 3

April to December = rainy season

December to April = dry season

Question 4

Volcanic Activity

Answer 4

Particularly impactful on the Highlands where volcanos are located

Lowlands: (1) Erosion and winds carry volcanic soils to lowlands, (2) flooding helps distribute widely, (3) soil is enriched beyond normal nutrient levels

Resources: Ash buries resource (bedrock) and materials (obsidian), limiting them to outcrops, and requiring trade to acquire

Question 5

Beasts of Burden

Answer 5

Man is the only beast of burden

Max distance a person can travel on the amount of food (corn) they can carry: 125-140 miles

Question 6

Prevailing Winds

Answer 6

From the east for most of the year

When combined with altitude differences, create a great diversity of microclimates