Climate Zones and Vegetation

Chapter2 -3

Climate Zones

• There are five major climate zonesA. Tropical D. DryB. Mid-latitude E. HighlandC. High-latitude

A, B, and C are based on the area’s latitude (distance from the Equator)

• Each of these zones have particular kinds of plants that grow in them

• Can you think of examples of plants that grow in the Tropics? What about the desert?

Tropical Climate

• These lie in between the23 ½ N (Tropic of Cancer) and 23 ½ S Tropic of Capricorn)

• The Tropics are known for their warm temperatures

Mid-Latitude Climates (moderate climate)

• Located in the middle latitudes of the Northern and Southern hemispheres

• 23 ½-60 N and 23 ½ -60 S• Most of the worlds populations live in these

two bands• Temperatures change with the seasons

High Latitude Climate

• Located in the higher latitudes of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres

• 60 N to North Pole and 60 S to South Pole• Cold Climates

Dry Climates

• Dry or partially dry areas that receive little or no rainfall

• Temperatures are extremely hot during the day and extremely cold at night

Highland Climate

• Highland =mountain• Has cool or cold temperature• Timberline=the elevation above which no

trees grow