Climates of Latin America. Both latitude and elevation dictate climates of Latin America Most of...
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Transcript of Climates of Latin America. Both latitude and elevation dictate climates of Latin America Most of...
• Both latitude and elevation dictate climates of Latin America
• Most of Latin America is located between the Tropic of Capricorn and Cancer– In this region you will find mostly tropical rain
forests & tropical savannas– The exception comes in the form of highlands
climate• In the low latitudes, mountains provide more
moderate temps (Vertical Zonation)
Vertical ZonationVertical Zonation• Three “zones” on a mountain
– Tierra Fria – cold temps – highest section of mountain
– Tierra Templada – moderate temps – middle section of mountain
– Tierra Caliente – hot/warm temps – lowest section of a mountain
• As elevation increases, temperatures drop, which leads to more precipitation
Vertical Zonation cont. Vertical Zonation cont.
• Vegetation is affected by Vertical Zonation– Lower elevation = dry – limited vegetation– Higher elevation = cold – limited vegetation
• The middle, Tierra Templada, is where most vegetation can be sustained
• Read handout on Vertical Zonation & complete questions on last page
Climates of Latin America cont. Climates of Latin America cont.
• Drier climates (steppe & desert) prevail south of the Tropic of Capricorn & north of Cancer
• Humid Subtropical climate can be found in southern Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, & northern Argentina (Tropic of Capricorn & south)
Facts about the Rainforest
• Takes up ¼ of South America• Over half of the rainforest can be found in Brazil
(54%)• Other countries containing the Amazon Rainforest
include: French Guiana, Suriname, Guyana, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia
• Rainfall averages 7 ½ feet per year, with some regions experiencing up to 20 ft./yr.
• Half of the year the rainforest is flooded, which causes water levels to rise up to 65 ft above normal and flood 30-50 miles from the main channel.
Vegetation in the Rainforest
• Consists of palm, fern, teak, bamboo, mahogany, and evergreen trees; mangroves found along rivers
• Vegetation must be resistant to flooding• The canopy is created by a thick network of tree
branches & leaves forming a barrier between the sun & forest floor; highest part of the rainforest– Because of the density of the canopy, only about 1/3 of
the precipitation becomes a part of the Amazon Basin– Approximately half of the precipitation gets caught in
the canopy and evaporates back in to the atmosphere to start the water cycle all over
– Additional amounts of precipitation get released back into the atmosphere through transpiration
– The canopy fuels the continuous flow of the water cycle
Deforestation in the Amazon
• Brazil alone destroys approximately 5. 4 million acres per year (football field = 1 acre)
• In 1500, 6-9 million natives lived in the rainforest; Today, there are less than 200,000
• 18 species become extinct each day in the Amazon; 137 species are lost each day amongst the world’s rainforests
YearDeforestation
[sq mi]Deforestation
[sq km]Change
[%]
1994 5,751 14,896 0%
1995 11,220 29,059 95%
1996 7,012 18,161 -38%
1997 5,107 13,227 -27%
1998 6,712 17,383 31%
1999 6,664 17,259 -1%
2000 7,037 18,226 6%
2001 7,014 18,165 0%
2002 8,187 21,205 17%
2003 9,711 25,151 19%
2004 10,590 27,429 9%
2005 7,256 18,793 -31%
2006 5,421 14,040 -49%
2007 3,865 10,010 -47%
Deforestation in Brazil
Why is the Amazon Rainforest being destroyed?
• Cattle ranching/grazing of animals• Agriculture/farming (subsistence &
commercial)
• Logging (hardwoods, paper products, charcoal) • Hydroelectric dams• Medical research/medicines• Highway construction (Transamazoninan
Highway)
• Gold mining• Oil drilling
Results of Deforestation
• Additional amounts of CO2 • Climate change• Erosion of the soil• Desertification• Less oxygen produced• Loss of habitat = migration and
extinction of inhabitants (animal, human, and plant)
• Destruction of possible medical cures