Chap 5:Climates And Natural Regions

Question 1

Explain how latitude influences a climate

Answer 1

The Distance North or south of the equator

In general, the higher the latitude, the colder it will be

Question 2

Explain how distance from the sea or ocean influences a climate

Answer 2

Water in the sea absorbs heat very slowly in the summer and loses it slowly in the winter. Therefore, areas of land close to the water will be cooled in the summer and warmed in the winter and has a very small temperature range. Land absorbs heat quickly in the summer and loses it quickly in the winter so inland areas are warmer in the summer and cooler in the winter.

Question 3

Factors that influence a climate

Answer 3

Latitude
Distance from the sea/ocean
Prevailing winds and air masses

Question 4

Explain how prevailing winds and air masses influence a climate.

Answer 4

Winds can make and area colder, warmer,wetter or drier
Their influence will depend on the direction from which they come and whether they pass over wind or water. (Winds and air masses)

Question 5

Northerly winds

Answer 5

Cold

Generally dry

Question 6

Easterly winds

Answer 6

Warm in the summer
Cold in the winter
Usually dry

Question 7

Southerly winds

Answer 7

Warm

Some rain

Question 8

South-westerly winds

Answer 8

Cool in summer
Mild in winter
Rain bearing

Question 9

What is a local climate?

Answer 9

The climate experienced by a small region

Question 10

Factors which influence a local climate

Answer 10

1. Aspect

2. Altitude

Question 11

How does aspect affect a local climate?

Answer 11

Aspects refers to the different direction in which a slope is facing eg.North/South
In the northern hemisphere, south-facing slopes are warmer. why?
1.The sun shines directly on them
2.Warm,southerly winds blow against them
3.protected from cold northerly winds

Question 12

Explain how altitude is a factor affecting local climate

Answer 12

Altitude refers to height above sea level
In general,the higher the altitude, the lower the temperature
The temperature drops 7°C every kilometer you go up.Why?
1.air is thinner and can hold less heat
2.Upland areas are more exposed to heat ‘wind chill factor’

Question 13

What is a natural region?

Answer 13

An area of the word which has its own unique characteristics that make it different to other areas:
Climate,Natural Vegetation,Wildlife,Human activities

Question 14

The 3 groups of world climates

Answer 14

Hot climates
Temperate climates
Cold climates

Question 15

Climates in the group ‘hot climates’

Answer 15

Equatorial
Savanna
Hot desert

Question 16

Climates in temperate climates

Answer 16

Cool temperate

Warm temperate

Question 17

Climates in cold climates

Answer 17

Boreal

Tundra

Question 18

Where are Hot climates found?

Answer 18

Near the equator, from 30°N to 30°S

Question 19

Explain Equatorial climate briefly

Answer 19

Hot all year (28°C)
One season
Rain every afternoon
Rainfall of 2000mm/yr
Rainforest/Jungle

Question 20

Explain Savanna climate briefly

Answer 20

Hot all year (25-35°.)
Two seasons
Wet in the summer
Dry in the winter
Scattered trees/grassland

Question 21

Explain Hot Desert climate briefly

Answer 21

Day (30-50°C)
Night (5°C)
Rainfall is 100mm/yr
Long droughts
Followed by downpours of rain

Question 22

Why is difficult for plants and animals to survive in the desert?

Answer 22

Because of the lack of water

Question 23

Explain how the cactus have adapted to the hot desert

Answer 23

Thick bark prevents loss of moisture
Can store water inside of it
Roots spread a long distance to reach nearest available water
The needles protect it from wild animals

Question 24

Explain how the camel has adapted to the hot desert

Answer 24

Eyelashes to protect their eyes
Nostrils that can open and close
Thick skin on legs to protect from hot sand
Can store fat in humps for when food is scarce

Question 25

What is oasis?

Answer 25

A fertile area in a desert where water is found close to the surface

Question 26

Temperature in a cool temperate oceanic climate

Answer 26

``` Warm summers (15-17°C) Mild winters (4-6°C) ```

Question 27

Cool temperate oceanic climate rainfall

Answer 27

Rainfall throughout the year, mostly in winter | 800-2000mm

Question 28

Cool temperate oceanic climate vegetation

Answer 28

Deciduous forest:oak,ash,elm,willow | Most are removed for farming, transport and settlement

Question 29

Warm temperate oceanic climate summer

Answer 29

Summer's are hot and dry, 30°C. Dry and some drought - close to the equator, so the sun is high in the sky - cloudless skies allow long hours of sunshine - trade winds that blow over dry land masses

Question 30

Warm temperate oceanic climate is aka?

Answer 30

The medetaranian climate

Question 31

Warm temperate oceanic climate winter

Answer 31

Mild and moist , 4-6°C, 400-700 mm of rain - sun still high enough to give warm conditions - prevailing wind is south-westerly, blows from lower latitudes, so it is warm - winds from Atlantic Ocean bring moist air - Depressions form over the medetaranian sea - Rainfall in heavy showers

Question 32

Warm temperate oceanic climate vegetation

Answer 32

Evergreen woodland, trees include:the cork, oak, Cyprus and olive. - absorb and store moisture during winter - very thick bark and waxy leaves to prevent moisture loss - widely spaced to avoid competition for moisture

Question 33

Warm temperate oceanic climate human activity

Answer 33

Sheep and goats are the most common animals reared - overgrazing has damaged the scant vegetation and the soil has been exposed to erosion by sudden downpours of rain - fruit and vegetable farming takes place throughout the year - Irrigation schemes have been introduced to overcome the problems of summer drought - main crops are citrus fruits tomatoes and vines, others include; wheat, maize and sunflowers

Question 34

Warm temperate oceanic climate Tourism

Answer 34

Mainly in coastal areas eg. Costa del sol, riviera and Majorca. Brought; - Wealth and jobs (seasonal) - Pollution - Water shortages - Badly planned developments (eyesore)

Question 35

Tundra climate means

Answer 35

Without trees

Question 36

Tundra climate temperature

Answer 36

Summers: short and cool (rarely above 15°C) Winters:long and cold as low as 35°C Large temperature range

Question 37

Tundra climate precipitation

Answer 37

Form of snow, less than 250mm/yr

Question 38

Tundra climate natural vegetation

Answer 38

Little vegetation because of extreme cold | Main types are heather, mosses and lichens

Question 39

Tundra climate wildlife

Answer 39

Animals and birds during the summer, not in winter

Question 40

Boreal climate is found where?

Answer 40

America and Eurasia 55°N Arctic circle

Question 41

Boreal climate temperate

Answer 41

Summer:Long days, 10-15°C -Northern Hemisphere is tilted towards the sun -Long hours of sunshine allow absorbing of heat Winter:Very cold,long nights, -25°C -Northern hemisphere is tilted away from sun -Sun is low in the sky, rays have to cover larger area give little heat

Question 42

Boreal climate precipitation

Answer 42

Low precipitation-400mm/yr - polar winds are too cold to hold much moisture - far from sea, so wind is dry

Question 43

Boreal climate natural vegetation

Answer 43

The taiga-evergreen coniferous forest - needles prevent moisture loss - the roots spread out widely to gather as much moisture as possible - the roots are shallow because thin layer of soil before permafrost - cone shape and branches point down for snow to slide off - thick bark retains moisture and gives protection from very cold winds.