Understanding Wet and Dry Climates

Aug 28, 2024

Climate Types Lecture Notes

Introduction

  • Weather vs. Climate:
    • Weather: Short-term atmospheric conditions.
    • Climate: Long-term patterns over time; grouped into climate biomes/types.
  • Focus: Wet and dry climates.

Key Concepts in Climate Study

  • Four factors to consider:
    1. Temperature
    2. Precipitation
    3. Natural Vegetation
    4. Soil
  • Climatograph: Tool to visualize climate, highlighting temperature and precipitation but also considering vegetation and soil.

Wet Climates

Tropical Rainforest (Tropical Wet)

  • Characteristics:
    • Hot and rainy year-round; no distinct dry season.
    • Precipitation: 120 to 200 inches annually.
    • Vegetation: Dense canopy, blocks sunlight.
    • Soil: Nutrient leaching; thin, rocky.
  • Example Locations:
    • Amazon Rainforest.

Tropical Wet-Dry

  • Characteristics:
    • Has a distinct dry season (4-8 months).
    • Wet season similar to tropical rainforest.
    • Dry season resembles desert.
  • Vegetation:
    • Tall grasses, sparsely populated trees.
    • Example: Serengeti Plain.
  • Soil:
    • Similar leaching; supports mixed vegetation.

Dry Climates

Desert

  • Precipitation:
    • Less than 10 inches annually.
  • Temperature:
    • Large daily range; hot days, cold nights.
  • Soil and Vegetation:
    • Sandy soils lacking humus (low fertility).
    • Sparse vegetation; deep roots, thick bark.
    • Example: Sahara Desert.
    • Note: Antarctica is the largest desert by precipitation.

Steppe

  • Precipitation:
    • 10 to 20 inches annually.
  • Location:
    • Found on outskirts of deserts.
  • Soil:
    • Churnosum (fertile black earth).
  • Vegetation and Use:
    • Desert scrub grass; supports pastoralism.

Mediterranean Climate

  • Characteristics:
    • Long, hot, drought-filled summers.
    • Short, mild, rainy winters.
  • Vegetation:
    • Chaparral: Woody bushes with deep roots.
  • Risks:
    • Prone to wildfires; dry summers.
  • Crops:
    • Dates, olives, grapes.
  • Example Locations:
    • Southern California, Italy, Greece.

Conclusion

  • Future discussions planned for review and understanding.
  • Next check-in on Monday and Tuesday.