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Region
Distribution
Characteristics
Flora and Fauna
Economic Activity or Life
Other Information
The Hot, Wet Equatorial Climate
Flora-
Fauna-
Soil-
The Tropical Monsoon Climate
Indian sub continent, Burma, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Parts of Vietnam and south China and Northern Australia
On shore wet monsoons in summer and off shore dry monsoons in winter
Basic cause of monsoon climates is the difference in the rate if heating and cooling of land and sea.
Retreating Monsoon- The amount and frequency of rain decreases towards the end of the rainy season it retreats gradually Southwards after mid September.
Trees are normally deciduous because of marked period during which the shed their leaves to withstand the drought
Forests yield valuable timber and are prized for their durable wood. Eg. Teak
Other kinds of timber include Sal, Acacia and some varieties of Eucalyptus in northern Australia
The tropical monsoon forests host diverse species of animals
Unique varieties of insects amphibians, reptiles, birds are found
Host a variety of mammals species like the elephant, lion, tiger, monkeys, sloth, bear and wild dog etc.
The area is densely populated.
A large part of the population practices extensive agriculture
The tropical soils are mainly latosolic, rapidly leached and easily exhausted the first crop maybe bountiful but the subsequent harvests deteriorate
Practices like shifting cultivation are prevalent
Shifting cultivation is so widely practised amongst indigenous people that different local names are used in different countries for example ladang in Malaysia, taungya in Burma, tamrai in Thailand, caingin in Philippines, humah in Java, chena in Sri Lanka and milpa in Africa and Central America
In regions like Indian sub continent three distinct seasons are found i.e.
The cool, dry season (October to February)
Low temperature, frosts may occur at night in the cold or north
High temperature prevails over the land mass
The Hot dry season (March to mid June)
Temperatures rises sharply with sun's northward shift to the Tropic of Cancer
Stifling heat and low relative humidity
Low pressure develops over land mass
The rainy season (mid June to September)
Torrential downpour occurs
As much as 95% of the annual rainfall is concentrated within four months
Agriculture development in the monsoon lands
Much of the monsoon forest have been cleared for agriculture to support the very dense population
1) Wet paddy cultivation
Rice is the most important and staple crop and is grown in tropical lowlands wherever the rain exceeds 70 inches.
It is the most characteristic crop of monsoon lands.
2) Lowland cash crops
Most important being cane sugar
Almost 2/3rd of world's sugar production comes from tropical countries like India, Java, Cuba, and Jamaica etc.
Other crops like jute in India and Bangladesh, hemp in Philippines, Indigo, cotton, bananas, coconut, spices are also cultivated
3) Highland Plantation crops
Crops like tea and coffee are extensively cultivated
4) Lumbering
Particularly important in the continental South East Asia
Tropical deciduous trees are used to procure timber
of various tropical deciduous trees, teak (of which Burma is the leading producer) is perhaps the most sought after due to its great durability, strength, immunity to shrinkage, fungus attack and insects
The Tropical Marine Climate
Central America, West Indies, North- Eastern Australia, Philippines, parts of East Africa, Madagascar, the Guinea coast and Eastern Brazil
The Savanna or Sudan Climate
Transitional type between equatorial forests and trade wind deserts
Confined within tropics, best developed in Sudan, hence the name
Covers western Sudan, curves Southward into East Africa and Southern Africa
South America- two distinct regions i.e. Llanos of Orinoco basin and Campos of Brazilian highlands
Australian savanna- north of Tropic of Capricorn
Characterised by alternate hot rainy season and cool dry season
The length of the rainy season and the annual total rainfall decreases appreciably from equatorial region polewards toward the desert fringes
Annual precipitation is less than that of the tropical monsoon climate and the length of the wet and dry season is differs with locality
Hot rainy season in Northern Hemisphere- May to September and in Southern H.- October to March
The monthly temperature hovers between 70° F and 90° F for lowland stations.
Annual temperature range of 20° F is typical
High contrast in day and night temperature, therefore an extreme diurnal range
Night frosts are common
Trade winds are the prevailing winds, which bring rain to the coastal regions
Typified by tall grass and short trees
Terms bush veld/ parkland used to describe the landscape
In between the tall grass are scattered short trees
Deciduous trees to prevent excessive loss of water due to transpiration as in acacia
Other trees like baobab and bottle trees have broad trunks with water storing devices to survive through the prolonged drought
Trees mostly hard, gnarled and thorny may exude gums
Vegetative luxuriance reaches its peak in the rainy season
Grass is tall and coarse growing upto 6-12 feet
The Elephant grass may attain a height of even 15 feet
Tall grass tends to grow in compact tufts and has a long, extensive root system
Greenish when well nourished, turns yellow in dry season
As rainfall diminishes towards the desert, the savanna merges into thorny scrub.
Home of wild animals especially the African Savanna
Known as Big Game country
Two main groups of animals, namely the herbivores and carnivores
Herbivores- very alert, move swiftly, fast runners. Eg. Zebra, antelope, deer, giraffe, elephant etc.
Carnivore- excellent camouflage, good runners Eg. Lion, tiger, leopard, panther, hyena etc.
Diverse species of birds, snakes, butterflies, moths and insects are present
Numerous species of reptiles and mammals along rivers and in marshy lakes. Eg. crocodiles, alligator, monitor and giant lizards, rhinoceroses, hippopotamus etc.
Different tribes live in these regions.
Either pastoralists like the Masai of Eastern Africa or settles cultivators like Hausa of Northern Nigeria.
The Masai people keep the Zebu cattle (with humps and long horns)
The Hausa people don’t practice shifting cultivation
Savanna has immense agricultural potential for plantation agriculture of cotton, cane sugar, coffee, groundnuts etc.
Droughts are a menace at times
Natural cattle country and many of the native people are infact herdsman or pastoralists
The Zebu cattle or bony and yield little meat or milk
High incidence of tropical diseases example the sleeping sickness carried by the tsetse fly
The Sudan climate with distinct wet and dry period is also responsible for the rapid deterioration of soil fertility
During the rainy season, torrential downpour of heavy rain cause leeching in which most of the plant nutrients such as nitrate, phosphate and potash are dissolved and washed away.
During the dry season intense heating and evaporation drive up most of the water
Many Savanna areas therefore have poor lateritic soils which are incapable of supporting good crops
The Hot Desert and Mid Latitude Desert Climates
The major hot deserts of the world are located on the western coast of continents between the 15 to 30 North and South latitudes
Sahara Desert is the largest single stretch of a desert
The other important hot deserts are the great Australian desert, the Arabian desert, the Iranian desert, Thar desert, Kalahari desert, Namib desert, the North American desert extending from Mexico into USA (called by different names as in Mohave, Sonoran, Californian and Mexican), the Atacama desert
Among the mid latitude deserts, many are found on plateaus and are at a considerable distance from the sea
These are the Gobi, Turkestan and Patagonian deserts
Hot Desert-
Annual precipitation is mostly less than 10 inches
High aridity which is the most outstanding feature of the desert climate
The hot deserts lie astride the horse latitudes or the subtropical high-pressure belts, where the air is descending, a condition least favourable for precipitations of any kind to take place. The rain bearing trade winds blow of shore and the westerlies that are onshore blow outside the desert limits. Whatever winds reach the desert blow from cooler to warmer regions, and there relative humidity is lowered making condensation almost impossible
Relative humidity is extremely low
Precipitation is scarce and unreliable
Rain normally occurs as violent thunderstorms of the convectional type, it bursts suddenly and pours continuously for a few hours over small areas.
Thunderstorms are very violent and it has disastrous consequences on desert landforms
Hottest spots on the earth and have high temperatures throughout the year
There is no cold season in the hot deserts and the average summer temperatures are obvious that is a clear, cloudless sky, intense insolation, dry air and a rapid rate of evaporation
The diurnal range of temperature in the desert is very great. A daily temperature range of 30 to 40 F is common, though in the death valley of California and exceptionally great diurnal range of 74 F has been recorded
Frosts may occur at night during the winter
Mid-Latitude Deserts-
Similar to the hot deserts
High aridity
These inland basins lie hundreds of miles from the sea, and are sheltered by the high mountains around them as a result of which, they are cut off from the rain bearding winds
Summers are very hot almost 80 F in July at kashgar and winters are extremely cold which two months below freezing point
The annual range of temperature is 58 F much greater than that of the hot deserts
Continentality accounts for the extremes in temperatures
Winters are often severe, freezing lakes and rivers and strong cold winds blow all the time
When the ice thaws in early summer, floods are likely to occur
The greatest inhabiting factors to settlement are the winter cold and the permanent aridity, besides the remoteness of the area
Supports scrub vegetation such as the grass, herbs, weeds, bulbs etc.
Mostly ephemerals and xerophytes are found
Un-favourable for extensive plant growth
Plants like bulbous cacti, thorny, bushes, long rooted wiry grasses and scattered dwarf acacias are found
Trees are rare except where there is abundant groundwater to support clusters of date palms
Plants that exist in deserts have highly specialised means of adapting themselves to the arid environment
Moreover absence of moisture retards the rate of decomposition as a result of which the desert soils are very deficient in humus
Most desert shrubs have long roots and are well spaced out to gather moisture and search for groundwater
Plants have few or no leaves and the foliage is either waxy, leathery, hairy or needle shaped to reduce transpirational losses
Succulent stems, phylloclades, cladodes etc. are common
seeds have tough skins in order to sustain during dormancy
Referred to as xerocole
Mostly nocturnal or crepuscular animals are found here which stay in the shade or burrows during the day
Use water efficiently eg. by concentrating their urine
Need to combat the excessive heat and scarcity of water
Adaptations like large ears (to allow for dissipation of heat), less amount of fat, insulating coats, aestivation and hibernation are common
Animals are generally cursorial and fossorial
Common animals being insects, reptiles like lizards and snakes, birds like ostrich, mammals like fennec fox, camels, Arabian onyx, rabbits etc.
Despite its inhospitality the desert has always been inhabited by different groups
The Egyptians have attained a high level of civilisation and others like Bedouin Arabs have fared quite well with their flocks of sheep, goats, camels and horses
The desert habitants can be grouped as follows-
1) The primitive hunters and collectors
Eg. The Bushmen (Kalahari desert) and Bindibu (Australia)
are nomadic hunters and food gatherers
Travel in small family groups and live in sherms and wurlies respectively
2) The nomadic herdsmen
More advanced group of desert dwellers who pursue a livestock economy
Ride on animals instead of walking and a heavily clad against the blazing sun
Eg. Bedouins of Arabia, Tuaregs of Sahara
Can also engage in trade activities
3) The caravan traders
Traveling merchants of the desert
Carried a wide range of goods into remote interiors where their merchandise was highly sought after
4) The settled cultivators
Near the oasis, rivers or water sources
Cultivate rice and cotton in summer and wheat, barley, beans and other minor crops in winters
5) The mining settlers
Mining camps that have sprung up following the discovery of certain mineral deposits have attracted many immigrants into the desert
Diamonds in Kalahari, sodium nitrate in Atacama, Uranium in Utah, Oil in Saharan and Arabian desert etc.
Desert
Any region having less than 25 cm of auunal rainfall or evapotranspiration losses exceeding the precipitation is termed as a desert
They are regions of scanty rainfall which may be hot like the hot deserts of Saharan type or temperate as are the mid-latitude deserts like the Gobi desert
The aridity of the hot deserts is mainly due to the effect of off-shore trade winds hence are also called Trade Wind Deserts
The temperate deserts are rainless because of their interior location in the temperate latitudes, well away from the rain bearing winds.
The Warm Temperate Western Margin (Mediterranean) climate
Entirely confined to the western portion of continental masses between 30° to 45° north and south of the equator
Basic cause of which is shifting of the wind belts
The area around the Mediterranean sea has the greatest extent of this type of climate and hence the name
The best developed Mediterranean kind of climate is experienced in the central Chile
Other regions experiencing this kind of climate are California around san Francisco, Cape Town, Southern Australia that is the Adelaide region, South Western Australia that is the Swanland region
1. A dry, warm summer with off shore trade winds
High temperature conditions prevail
Sun is overhead the Tropic of Cancer, and the belt of influence of the westerlies is shifted a little pole-ward, therefore the rain bearing winds aren't likely to reach these lands
Prevailing trade winds are offshore
The air is dry, heat is intense
Relative humidity is low
Prolonged droughts are common
2) A concentration of rainfall in winter with on-shore westerlies
Most of the precipitation in winter when the Westerlies shift towards the Equator
The rain comes in heavy showers
Rain normally begins in September reaching its peak somewhere in October
3) Bright, sunny weather with hot dry summers and wet, mild winters
Transitional between hot deserts in th south and cool temperate maritime climate in the north
Summers are warm and bright and winters are mild and cool
The annual temperature range is between 15 to 25 F
4) The prominence of local winds around the Mediterranean sea
Many local winds, some hot, others cold are common around the Mediterranean sea
Like Sirocco, Mistral, Bora etc.
Growth is almost restricted to autumn and spring when the temperature is higher and moisture is just sufficient
The long summer droughts check the growth
Vegetation types-
Mediterranean evergreen forests- open woodlands with evergreen oaks especially cork oak, trees have massive trunks, extensive root system. Giant sequoia is typical of California
Evergreen coniferous trees- grow in the cooler highlands
Include pines, firs, cedars
Mediterranean bushes and shrubs- most predominant vegetation. Common species being laurel, myrtle, lavender, rosemary etc.
This kind of vegetation is called maquis in southern France, macchia in Italy, chaparral in California, mallee scrub in Australia
Grass- not well suited to grow here. The ones which do grow are wiry, bunchy
Wide range of citrus fruits are grown
Low rainfall and hot summers make it a hard place for animals to survive
Insects like bumblebees, ants, beetles are common
Toads are also common
Snakes are also found Eg. the grass snake, adder etc.
Birds like cuckoo, flamingo, swan etc. are present
Mammals include a vivid variety of bats, wolves, Weasel, deer, rabbits etc. are found
Despite the semi arid conditions prevailing over many parts, the climate overall is favourable. It's warm and bright summers and cool moist winters enable a wide range of crops to be cultivated.
Important for the fruit cultivation, cereal growing, wine making and agricultural industries as well as engineering and mining
ORCHARD Farming
Mediterranean lands are also known as the worlds Orchard lands
A wide range of citrus fruits such as Oranges, lemons, Limes, Grapefruit etc. are grown
The thick, leathery skin of the citrus fruits prevents excessive transpiration and the long, sunny summer enables the fruits to be ripened and harvested
Olives, walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, peaches, apricots, pears, plums, cherries and figs are also cultivated
Crop Cultivation-
Besides orchard fruits, many field crops are also cultivated
Cereals being the most prominent
Wheat is the leading crop and primarily the hard winter wheat
In the more fertile regions vegetables, flowers are also grown for the local market
Wine Production-
Viticulture is extensively practiced
Other Industries like fruit canning, fruit processing etc. are also present
The Temperate Continental (Steppe) Climate
Lie in the westerly wind belt, are so remote from maritime influence, that they are practically tree less
Entirely continental in the Northern Hemisphere
The ones in the Southern Hemisphere enjoy considerable amount of maritime influence
Called Steppes in Eurasia
Prairies in North America
Pampas in Argentina and Uruguay
Velds in South Africa
Downs in Australia (Murray- Darling basin area)
Temperature-
Climate is continental and thus has extremes of temperature
The summers are very warm
The winters are very cold, especially in Eurasia
The climate in the Southern Hemisphere is never severe, because of the moderating effects of the oceans
Precipitation-
In the Northern hemisphere, due to the continental position, it is light
Average rainfall may be taken as about 20 inches
Maximum in summer
In the Southern Hemisphere influenced by the maritime effect
The average annual precipitation is always more than 20 inches because of the warm ocean currents that wash the shores
Mostly grasses which are shorter than the savanna regions
The grasses are short, wiry and sparse. Found in discontinuous clumps with bare soil exposed between them
Trees are very scarce because of the scanty rainfall long droughts and the severe winters, except along the water courses where willows, poplars or alders can be found
As we move polewards, an increase in precipitation gives rise to a transitional zone where some conifers gradually appear.
Have been ploughed up for extensive agriculture, crops like wheat, maize are cultivated
Tufted grasses have been replaced by nutritious Lucerne or alfalfa grass for cattle and sheep rearing
have a low diversity of wildlife, but supports a high abundance of wildlife
Grazing animals are found here
The dominant animals being bison, pronghorns, buffalo, deer etc.
Apart from them rodents are also found
Cheetah, lion, wolves etc. also found (keep a check on overgrazing)
1) Nomadic Herding- migratory animal grazing, almost disappeared from major grasslands. Tribes like Kirghiz, Kazakhs, Kalmuk were the major wandering tribes
2) Extensive Mechanized Wheat Cultivation- Ideal for wheat cultivation
3) Pastoral Farming- Natural conditions support animal rearing. cattle, sheep, Pigs and horses do well in these regions. Bountiful production of beef, mutton, wool, hides, milk, butter, cheese and other dairy products
The Warm Temperate Eastern Margin (China Type) Climate
Found on the eastern margins of continents, just outside the tropics
In the Northern Hemisphere parts of China and regions bordering Gulf of Mexico experience this kind of climate
In the Southern Hemisphere, this kind of climate is experienced along, the warm temperate eastern coastlands of all three continents as in, in the New South Wales, Natal, maize belts of Paraguay-Uruguay basin regions.
Typified by a warm moist summer and a cool dry winter
The mean monthly temperature varies between 40° F and 78° F and is strongly modified by maritime influence
Though frosts are rare, occasionally occur in the colder interiors
The relative humidity is a little high in mid-summer when heat becomes oppressive and can be very trying
Rainfall is more than moderate anything from 25 inches to 60 inches
Rainfall is uniformly distributed throughout the year, every month has rainfall except in the interior of central China where there is a distinct dry season
There is a good deal of variation in climate within the eastern margins and is broadly divisible into three main types as follows-
The China Type (Central and North China, including Southern Japan), the temperature monsoonal type
The Gulf Type (South eastern United States), the slight monsoonal type
The Natal Type (all the warm temperate eastern margin areas of the southern hemisphere including the Natal, Eastern Australia, Southern Brazil and Northern Argentina), non monsoonal
Have a luxuriant vegetation
Since the perennial plant growth is not checked by wither a dry season or by a cold season, the conditions are well suited to host a rich diversity of plant life including grasses, bamboos, lianas, ferns, palms and forests
The lowlands are home to both Evergreen broadleaved forests and deciduous trees
The highlands are home to various species of conifers such as pines, cypresses etc.
Valuable timber species like eucalyptus in Australia, quebracho (axe breaker) in South American are found
Suitable for cultivation of sub- tropical crops like cotton, maize and fruits
Numerous varieties of birds, insects are found
Reptiles like lizards, snakes also present
Frogs and toads are restricted to moist areas
Coastal regions host a vivid variety of fishes
Mammals like monkeys, antelopes, pandas, rabbits etc, are common
Most productive parts of the middle latitudes
There is adequate rainfall, no prolonged drought and the cold season is warm enough for most crops to survive
Growing season almost continuous throughout the year
Most intensively tilled parts of the earth to procure food.
Densely populated
Widespread cultivation of maize, cotton, corn, fruits, tobacco, tea, Mulberries, cane sugar, coffee etc.
Dairying is also practised as prevalent in New South Wales and Victoria
Widespread rice cultivation in China
Corn, Cotton and Tobacco are extensively grown in the Gulf states of America
Cultivation of cane sugar, cotton, tobacco, maize, Yerba mate (Paraguay tea), parana pine, eucalyptus and animal rearing are common in the temperate eastern margin regions of the Southern Hemisphere
The China Type-
Most typical climate of warm temperate eastern margin regions
South east monsoon brings good amount of precipitation in summer
A steep gradient is set up between the cold interiors of Mongolia and Siberia and the warmer Pacific coastlands in winter
Great annual temperature range
Occurrence of typhoons is common, which are intense tropical cyclones that originate in the Pacific Ocean and move westwards to the coastlands bordering the South China Sea, most frequent in late summer from July to September
The Gulf type
The Gulf Atlantic regions of United States experience of type of climate similar to the central China except that the monsoonal characteristics or less well established
No complete seasonal wind reversal, for the pressure gradient between mainland America and the Atlantic Ocean is less marked.
Moderate annual range of temperature
Summers are warm and pleasant, Miami being an important tourist destination
The annual rainfall is heavy
Sometimes violent tornadoes occur due to intense local heating of land
The Natal Type-
There are three distinct areas on the eastern coast of the southern continents lying just south of the Tropic of Capricorn, which experience this kind of climate. The narrowness of the continents and the dominance of maritime influence eliminate the monsoonal elements which characterize the corresponding climates of the Northern Hemisphere
Those South East Trade winds bring about a more even distribution of rainfall throughout the year
The rain comes in prolonged showers and much of the water seeps into the ground and there is little run off so the regions are suitable for agriculture
A small annual range of temperature
Violent local storms are also prevalent
The Cool Temperate Western Margin (British type) climate
From Britain the climatic belt stretches far inland into the lowlands of north-west Europe including the regions of northern and western France, Belgium, Netherlands Western Norway and also North-western Iberia
In North America the high Rockies prevent the onshore westerlies from penetrating far inland and the British type of climate is confined mainly to the coastlands of British Columbia
In the southern Hemisphere the climate is experienced in southern Chile, Tasmania and most parts of New Zealand, particularly in South Island
The mean annual temperatures are usually between 40° to 60° F in the Northern Hemisphere
The summers are never very warm
The winters are abnormally mild and no stations actually record mean January temperatures below freezing point in the north western Europe attributed to the warming effect of the North Atlantic drift and prevalence of South Westerlies
Night frosts do occur and snow falls in winter
Cold spells caused by the invasion of cold Polar Continental air from the interiors may hit the western margins for a number of weeks
In the southern hemisphere the annual temperature range is reduced to only 16° F
In the southern hemisphere the oceanic influences not only keep the inters very mild but also keep the summer cool
Adequate rainfall throughout the year with the tendency towards the slight winter or autumn maximum from the cyclonic sources
The western margins have the heaviest rainfall since the rain bearing winds come from the west.
The amount of rainfall decreases Eastwards with increasing distance from the sea
Seasons-
Four distinct seasons can be observed
Winter- snowfall can be expected. It is of a short duration because of a comparatively mild weather
Spring- It is the driest and the most refreshing season
Summer- It is long and sunny
Autumn- Characterised by fall
The natural vegetation of this climatic type is the deciduous forest.
The trees shed their leaves in the cold season; it is an adaption for protecting against the winter snow and frost.
Common species of trees include oak, elm, birch, poplar, hornbeam etc.
Willows, alder, aspen are found in the wetter areas
The trees yield valuable temperate hardwood
Other species like chestnut, maple, sycamore, lime can also be found
The trees occur in pure strands making commercial exploitation easy
The deciduous trees are replaced by the conifers in the highlands regions
Insects like ants, butterflies, beetles etc are common
Newts, toads, turtles etc are found
Reptiles like lizards, chameleon, snakes like boa, copperhead are found
Birds such as the owls, finches, crows, cuckoos, cardinals, etc, are found
Mammals such as the leopards, black bear, coyote, dhole, brown bear, groundhog, wolf, wombat etc are there
Densely populated areas
Large part of woodlands have been cleared for fuel, timber or agriculture
Large range of cereals is cultivated for home consumption than exports
Production of machinery, chemicals and other manufactured articles is widespread
Lumbering and fishing also practiced
Various activities are taken up as follows-
1) Market Gardening- highly specialized in North- West Europe. Flowers, Fruits, fresh vegetables, poultry products are in high demand as a result of which this practice is prevalent and thriving
2) Mixed Farming- Farmers practice both arable farming and pastoral farming
3) Sheep Rearing- reared for both mutton and wool
4) Other Agricultural activities- food crops such as potatoes, beet sugar are cultivated
The cool temperate western margins are under the permanent influence of the Westerlies all year round.
They are also regions of much cyclonic activity typical of Britain and are thus, said to experience the British type of climate
The Cool temperate Continental (Siberian) Climate
It is experienced only in the Northern Hemisphere, where continents within the high latitudes have a broad east-west spread
On its polewards side, it merges into the Arctic tundra of Canada and Eurasia around the Arctic Circle.
Southwards, the climate becomes less severe and fades into the temperature steppe climate
Absent in the Southern Hemisphere because of the narrowness of the Southern continents in the high latitudes. Moreover the oceanic influence, reduced the severity of the winter
Characterised by a bitterly cold winter of long duration and a cool brief summer.
Spring and autumn are merely brief transitional periods
The temperature during the winter months is always below freezing point
There is a great annual range of temperature
The extremes of temperature are so great in Siberia that it is often referred to as the cold pole of the earth
In North America the extremes are less severe because of the continent's lesser East- West stretch
Heavy snowfall occurs
Frosts occur as early as August and by September lakes and ponds are already icebound
In Russia nearly all rivers are frozen
Occasionally cold, northerly polar winds such as blizzards of Canada and buran of Eurasia blow violently at 50 m.p.h or more at a temperature of 50 F below freezing point. The powdery snowflakes are blown around in the lower atmosphere and visibility is greatly reduced
The interiors of the Eurasian continent are so remote from maritime influence that annual precipitations cannot be high
A total of 15 to 25 inches is typical of the annual precipitation
It is quite well distributed throughout the year with a summer maximum from convectional rain when the Continental interiors are greatly heated
In winter, the precipitation is in the form of snow as mean temperatures are well below freezing all the time
The total precipitation of the Siberian climate is determined by such factors as altitude, latitude, proximity to the poles, amount of exposure to the influence by westerlies on the western parts and temperate monsoons on the eastern parts and the penetration of cyclones
Snow falls nearly everywhere in USSR in the long cold winter
Conifers are best suited to grow in the inhospitable environment
The coniferous forest belts of Eurasia and North America are the richest sources of softwood for use in building construction, furniture, matches, paper and pulp, rayon and other branches of chemical industry.
The world's greatest softwood producers are USSR, USA, Canada, Finland, Norway and Sweden
There are 4 major species in the coniferous forests-
1) Pine eg. white pine, red pine, scots pine, jack pine, lodge pole pine
2) fir eg. Douglas fir and balsam fir
3) Spruce
4) Larch
Their presence in pure strands and the existence of only a few species are a great advantage in commercial forest exploitation
Common insects are found
Mammals like moose, deer, reindeer or caribou, mice, squirrels are found
Predators like wolves, lynxes, bears, foxes and wolverines are common
Apart from them the Siberian tiger is also found
Fur bearing animals like mink, silver fox, etc, are very important
The regions are sparsely populated
The coniferous forest regions are comparatively little developed
The accessible forests are cleared for lumbering, and the others are untouched
The various species of pine, fir, larch and spruce are felled and transported to the saw-mills for extraction of temperate softwood
There is little agriculture as few crops can survive in the sub-Arctic climate of these lands
In the shelters valleys and the land bordering the steppes, some cereals like barley, oats, rye and crops like potatoes raised
Basically two types of economic activities are taken up-
1) Trapping- Here the fur bearing animals are captured and fur is procured from them. The most important fur bearing animals are Muskrat, ermine, mink and silver fox. Gradually the fur farming has replaced hunting
2) Lumbering- This is the most important occupation of the Siberian type of climate the vast reserves of coniferous forests provide the basis for lumbering industry. The trees are felled for many purposes like-
a) Saw milling
b) paper and pulp industry
c) As a fuel
d) As an industrial raw material
Coniferous forests-
The Cool Temperate Eastern Margin (Laurentian) Climate
Found only in two regions
One is the north eastern North America including eastern Canada, north-east USA and Newfoundland (North American regions)
The other regions is the eastern coastlands of Asia including Eastern Siberia, North China, Manchuria, Korea and Northern Japan (Asiatic region)
This climatic type is absent in the Southern hemisphere
Intermediate type between the British and Siberian type
Has features of both, the maritime and the continental climates
Has cold, dry winters and warm, wet summers
Winter temperatures may be well below freezing point and snow falls to quite a depth
Summers are as warm as the tropics
Rain falls throughout the year, there is a distinct summer maximum
Of the annual precipitation of 30-60 inches, two thirds come in summer
Winter is dry and cold because winds are dry
Predominant vegetation is the cool temperate forest
Heavy rainfall, warm summers and damp air from fogs, all favor the growth of trees.
Forests tend to be coniferous north of the 50 North latitude
Species like fir, spruce, larch are common
Forests south of the 50 North Latitude give way to the deciduous forests
Species like oak, maple, birch are found
A long growing season and an adequate supply of moisture encourages, rapid growth of ferns and other species
Trees occur in pure strands
Food and cash crops also raised
Insects like beetles, ants, butterflies are common
A multitude of fish varieties like the cod, herring, haddock etc. are found
Crabs, lobsters, shell fish common
Frogs can also be seen
Birds like Woodpecker, cardinals, hawks, eagles, cranes are common
Mammals like deer, bear, cougar, wolves, squirrels etc. present
Lumbering and the associated timber, paper and pulp industries are the most important economic undertaking
Agriculture is less prevalent because of the severity of the winter and its long duration.
Still some crops like oats, barley, potatoes are harvested
Apart from this cultivation of soya bean is widespread in the Asiatic regions.
Farmers engaged in dairy farming
Fruit growing is prevalent in the mild maritime areas
Fishing is the most outstanding and widespread economic activity
Exceptionally well developed in the Newfound lands and Japan region
Chief fish caught are cod, haddock, hake, herring, mackerel etc.
Crabs, lobsters and shrimps are also trapped
Pearl culture is extensively practiced in Japan
The North American Region-
Uniformity of precipitation, with a late summer maximum
No month is really dry and the driest month November, also 2.5 inches of rain
The uniformity of precipitation is largely due to the Atlantic influence and that of the Great lakes
the Gulf Stream, increases the moisture content of easterly winds from the open Atlantic
The prevailing westerlies which penetrate across the Rockies carry depressions over the Great lakes to the new England states
These winds thus promote wet conditions specially in winter
The meeting of the warm Gulf stream and the cold Labrador current on the coastal waters off Newfoundland produces dense mist and fog and gives rise to much precipitation.
Newfoundland experiences more drizzle than any other part of the world
Temperatures are normally high in summer
The temperature drops considerably in winter
Snowfall occurs during winter
The Asiatic region-
Rainfall distribution is far less uniform
Winters are cold and very dry
Summers are very warm and exceptionally wet
The mountainous interior of China has pronounced continental effects
Great annual range of temperature
Winter precipitation is in the form of snow
The climate of Japan, is modified by its insularity and also by the meeting of warm and cold ocean currents
The meeting of cold Oyashio and warm Kuroshio produces fog and mist creating a second Newfoundland here
Fishing-
These areas have the world's best fishing grounds as
1) Abundance of Phytoplankton
2) Gently sloping continental shelves
The Arctic or Polar Climate
Mainly regions north of the Arctic Circle in the Northern Hemisphere
In the Southern Hemisphere, the uninhabited continent of Antarctica, is the greatest single stretch of ice caps
Levels of sub soil below the ground are permanently frozen
Soil is generally known as permafrost
Poor drainage
Characterised by a very low mean annual temperature
the temperature in the warmest month, June seldom rises to more than 50 F
In mid winter that is around January the temperatures are as low as 35 F
Almost 8 months have temperatures below freezing point
Winters are long and very severe
Summers are cool and brief
With in the Arctic and Antarctic circles there are weeks of continuous darkness
The North Pole experiences six months without light in winter
Sun does not set in summers
Despite that the temperatures remain low because, the sun is low in the sky and much of the warmth of its rays is either reflected by the ground snow or is used up in melting the ice
Water in the soil is frozen to great depths and the summer heat can only thaw the upper 6 inches of soil
Frosts and blizzards are common
Mainly in the form of snow
Snowfall varies with locality, it may fall either as ice crystals or large, amalgamated snow flakes
rain in polar regions is light not exceeding 12 inches
It takes 10-12 inches of snow to make linch of rain
Maximum precipitation takes place in summer in the form of rain or sleet
Heavy rainfall is recorded in areas where cyclones are frequent
Very few plants manage to survive
No trees are there
Supports birches, lichens and sedges
Stunted birches, dwarf willows are found growing in sheltered areas.
Some hardly grasses and the reindeer moss grow along the coastal lowlands
Berry bearing bushes and Arctic flowers bloom in the brief summer
Numerous insects like flies, bumblebees, grasshoppers emerge as the snow thaws.
Birds migrate north during summer
Birds like bald eagle, penguins, puffins etc. are seen
Fishes like cod, trout, salmon are present
Reindeer (caribou), wolves, musk, ox, arctic hare, seals, lemmings, walrus, polar bear are found
Sparsely populated
Human activities are largely confined to the coast
The few people who live in this region are semi nomadic
In Greenland, northern Canada and Alaska live the Eskimos
They used to live as hunters and food gatherers but in recent years more and more of them are settling in permanent huts
The seasonal changes in climate necessitate a nomadic way of life
During winter, they live in compact igloos and during summer, they move out to hunt, so live in tents.
The food is sources from fish, seals, walruses and polar bears
Some hunt caribou and other animals to secure a steady supply of their daily meat, milk, fat, skins and bones
With time certain changes have occurred for instance, now deadly rifles are used instead of traditional harpoons, speed boats are replacing the kayaks.
Mining of certain minerals like gold in Alaska, copper in Canada, iron in Sweden have led to new settlements and collateral development of railways etc.
Various nomadic tribes are found. they are as follows
Lapps of northern Finland and Scandinavia
Samoyeds of Siberia
Yakuts of Lena basin
Koryaks and Chuckchi of Northern Eastern Asia
Eskimos in Greenland, Northern Canada and Alaska
These tribes wander with their herds of reindeer to regions which have pastures
By: Parveen Bansal ProfileResourcesReport error
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