Social StudiesChapter 2 Section 4 How Climate Affects

Vegetation

Vegetation

Plants that grow in a region

TundraAn area of cold climate and low-lying vegetation

CanopyThe layer formed by the uppermost branches of

a rain forest

SavannaA combination of grasslands and scattered trees

Desert ScrubDesert vegetation that needs little water

Deciduous TreesTrees that lose their leaves seasonally

Coniferous TreesTrees that produce cones to carry seeds

Climate and Vegetation

5 Types of Climate1. Tropical2. Dry3. Temperate marine4. Temperate continental5. Polar

Tropical ClimatesTROPICAL WET CLIMATE

• Year-round rainfall• Tropical Rainforest• Rainy and Dry

season• Grasslands and

scattered trees

TROPICAL DRY CLIMATE

• Very hot summers• Mild winter• Very little rain• Little to no

vegetation• Plants need almost

no water to survive

Temperate Marine Climate

• Found in middle latitudes, near coastlines

• Mild winters• 3 types: Mediterranean, marine west

coast, and humid subtropical

Temperate Continental Climate

• Climate supports grasslands and forests• In a humid continental climate-summer temps

are hot and winters are cold• Subarctic climate regions-drier, cool summers,

cold winters

Polar Climate

• Cold all year round• Short and cool summers• Long and COLD winters• Covered in ice• No vegetation grows here

Earth’s Vegetation Regions

1. Tropical Rain Forest-thousands of plants grow because of intense sunlight, warmth, and rain

2. Tropical Savanna- tropical area with winter dry seasons or limited rainfall

3. Desert-no vegetation at all or plants that need very little water to survive

4. Desert Scrub-a little more rain occurs; plants need little water

Earth’s Vegetation Regions

5. Mediterranean Vegetation-grasses, shrubs, low trees; warm and dry summers

6. Temperate Grassland-vast grassland; prairie7. Deciduous Forest-trees that lose their leaves8. Coniferous Forest-produce cones to carry seeds9. Tundra-cold climate, low-lying vegetation10. Highland-depends on elevation11. Ice Cap/Pack Ice-thick ice, cold, no vegetation

Where in the WORLD are these regions?

Look at page 53 in textbook• What is most of Australia? • What states are considered to be coniferous

forest in the US?• What is Florida? • What is North Africa? • What is Europe? • What is Antarctica?

Vertical Climate Zones

• Elevation-the height of mountains• Air becomes cooler as elevation increases• Harder to breathe-less oxygen• As you get higher, the plants and vegetation

decrease until nothing grows at the top (the peak of mountain)