The Effects of Elevation on Climate and Vegetation

• Elevation- altitude

• Vegetation- is assemblages of plant species and the ground cover they provide.

• Climate- characteristic weather conditions produced by a combination of factors, such as:1. Temperature,2. Humidity, 3. Atmospheric Pressure,4. Wind,5. Precipitation, 6. Atmospheric Particle Count7. Latitude8. Elevationin a given region for a long periodof time.

The distribution of terrestrial ecosystems isprimarily related to precipitation andtemperature, also, as the height above sealevel increases, the average temperaturedecreases.

Desert

• Areas that generally average less than 25 centimeters (10 inches) of precipitation a year. Wherein some receive moisture as snow or rain in winter months.

• Deserts are also likely to be windy, however many deserts are quite cool during a major part of year, though, there are still those hot during much of the year and extremely cold during winter.

Desert area in Australia

• There are many species of organisms live in the desert, and are adapted to survive hot and dry environment.

A desert in northern central part of Australia.

Grassland• Wildly distributed over

temperate parts of world

• Grasslands generally receive between 25- 75 centimeters (10-30 inches) precipitation a year

• These areas are windy with hot summers and cold to mild winter.

A grassland in Mt. Tapyas, Bohol.

• Mostly, consumers are herbivorous, though some carnivorous animals like coyotes are still present.

Savannah

• Similar to grassland but with scattered trees and is found extensively in South America, southern Africa and parts of Australia

• Receives 50-150 centimeters (20-60 inches) of rain per year and is not distributed evenly throughout the year.

Zebras on African savanna

• This type of biome provides shade, nesting site for animals, food for large herds of grazing animals and habitat for different insects.

Chaparral

• A poor grassland with short, dense bushes occurring in Mediterranean coast, California, New Mexico, southern tip of Africa, southern Australia and parts of South America.

• Rainfall is 40-100 centimeters (15-40 inches) per year.

• Vegetation is dominated by woody shrubs that are adapted to withstand occasional fires.

A coastal maquis vegetation in Greece

• Many kinds of insects, reptiles, birds and mammals are found in these areas

Tropical Dry Forest

• A biome that is heavily influenced by seasonal rainfall.

• Many of this biome have a monsoon climate with rainfall ranging from 50 centimeters (20 inches) up to 200 centimeters (80 inches).

A Tropical Dry Forest in Timor Leste

• Many species of animals are also found in a Tropical Dry Forest and plants have special adaptations for enduring droughts.

Tropical Rainforest

• A forest occurring in tropical areas of heavy rain.

• Most areas receive in excess of 200 centimeters (80 inches) up to more than 500 centimeters (80 inches) of rain per year.

• Soils are usually poor in nutrients because water tends to wash away any nutrients not taken up by plants

The Amazon Rainforest

• Variety of plants, birds and other animal life exist immensely and biodiversely.

• Many epiphytic plants like ferns, mosses and orchids; and various vines compete with trees.

A rainforest in Apo Island, Dumaguete

• Tropical rainforest supply sought-after hardwoods, and a potential source of medicines.

Temperate Deciduous Forest

• Forest in temperate areas of the world that have a winter summer change of seasons typically have trees that lose their leaves in winter and replace it in spring.

• These areas generally receive 75 to 100 centimeters (30-60 inches) of relatively evenly distributed rain per year.

A temperate deciduous forest in Japan

• These forests may consist of two or three dominant tree species like oaks, maples, birch and aspen.

• Also, these are home to a great variety of insects, birds, mammals and other animals.

Taiga

• The climate is one of short cool summers and long winters with abundant snow.

• Precipitation ranges between 25 and 100 centimeters (10-40 inches) per year

Taiga in Central Russia

• Conifers like spruces, firs and larches are the most common trees in these areas.

• Migratory birds are present during summer and only a few permanently reside like owls.

• Mammals with thick wool and fur exist in the area.

Tundra

• A biome that lacks trees and is subjected to permafrost.

• Amount of precipitation is similar to that in deserts but lesser than 25 centimeters (10 iches) per year.

Arctic tundra and mountain in Alaska

• Soil conditions are very poor, being waterlogged and marshy in summer and permafrost for almost 10 months.

• Cold temperatures and high winds also limit the diversity of plants and also restricting the flora in plants.

An arctic fox in summer.

• Animal life is also limited, although more numerous in summer.

• Mammals with thick wool and fur exist in the area like snowshoe hare, bobcat, polar bear, seal, arctic fox and some caribou.

Quiz1.-3. Give three (3) factors that affect the climate

4. Give a specific example of a desert

5. What is a tropical rainforest?

6. What do you call a vegetative area where woody shrubs that are adapted to withstand occasional fires dominates it?

7. A biome, where ground is permafrost,that exist in the northern latitude of the earth.

8. Give one animal that lives in taiga and tundra region.

9.-10. List down at least 2 differences between the Grassland and Savanna.