Climate- average condition of the atmosphere over 35 years
FACTORS INFLUENCING THE DISTRIBUTION OF CLIMATIC REGIONS
The distribution of various climate zones such as equatorial, tropical desert, tropical savannah, and
Mediterranean climates is influenced by several factors:
1. Latitude
- Equatorial Climate: Found near the equator (0-10° latitude), characterized by high temperatures
and heavy rainfall throughout the year.
- Tropical Desert Climate: Located around 20-30° latitude, often found on the western sides of
continents. These areas receive little rainfall due to descending air masses in the subtropical high-
pressure zones.
- Tropical Savannah Climate: Lies between the equatorial and desert zones (10-20° latitude),
featuring a wet and dry season due to the movement of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ).
-Mediterranean Climate: Found between 30-40° latitude on the western coasts of continents,
characterized by wet winters and dry summers.
2. Pressure Systems and Wind Patterns
- Hadley Cell Circulation: The upward motion at the equator (low pressure) and downward motion
in the subtropics (high pressure) influence both equatorial (wet) and tropical desert (dry) climates.
- Trade Winds: Bring moisture from oceans to the tropical regions, affecting rainfall patterns in the
equatorial and tropical savannah climates.
-Subtropical High-Pressure Systems: These systems create arid conditions in tropical deserts by
preventing moisture-bearing winds from reaching these areas.
3. Proximity to Water Bodies
- Equatorial Climate: Large bodies of water near equatorial regions provide moisture, leading to
high humidity and rainfall.
- Mediterranean Climate: Proximity to oceans or seas helps moderate temperatures, with ocean
currents playing a role in influencing the seasonal rainfall patterns.
4. Altitude
- Higher altitudes can create cooler conditions and impact the distribution of climates. For example,
areas near the equator with significant elevation can have modified climate characteristics, such as
less intense heat.
5. Ocean Currents
- Cold Currents: Cold ocean currents like the Benguela,Canary and Humboldt currents contribute to
aridity by cooling the overlying air and inhibiting moisture rise, leading to desert climates.
-Warm Currents: Warm ocean currents contribute to milder temperatures and increased
precipitation, benefiting regions like the Mediterranean during the winter.
6. Seasonal Shifts and the ITCZ
- The Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) shifts north and south with the seasons, influencing the
distribution of wet and dry seasons in tropical regions.
- This movement contributes to the distinct wet and dry seasons found in tropical savannah
regions, while the consistent position of the ITCZ near the equator supports continuous rainfall.
7. Continentality
- Areas further from oceans, like deserts, have greater temperature extremes and lower humidity,
while coastal regions, such as those with a Mediterranean climate, have moderated temperatures
due to the maritime influence.
A) Tropical continental
i) Location
5˚-15˚ N and S of the equator. It covers countries like Kenya, Ghana, Sudan
Zimbzbwe and South Africa. It is sometimes called transitional climate as it is found
between equatorial climate and tropical hot deserts
ii) Climate characteristics
a) Temperature
- Hot summers
- Cool winters
- Annual temperature range of 11˚c
b) Rainfall
- Wet summers and dry winters
- Annual rainfall of about 600 to 1200 mm. rainfall in the region varies
depending on the proximity to the equatorial climate or the hot desert.
Explain why the tropical continental differ with distance from the equator?
iii) Vegetation
Natural vegetation is tropical grassland.
Composition of tropical grassland
- Tubers
- Tall grass
- Scrub
- Shrub/ thorny bushes
- Short scattered Trees
iv) How the vegetation has adapted to the climate
feature Reason
Deciduous trees( shed leaves during the dry To reduce transpiration
period
Long tap roots Reach water deep underground
Umbrella shaped trees Conserve moisture around the tree roots
Broad trunk trees Store water for dry season
Small leaves To reduce transpiration
v) Human activities
- Tourism
- Pastoral farming
- Arable farming
- Fishing
- Mining
- Hunting and gathering
Explain how the vegetation influences human activities?
vi) Impact on the environment
-deforestation
-Desertification
-Depletion of plant species
-Overstocking leading to overgrazing
B) Tropical Desert/ Hot Desert
I. Location- mainly located on the western margin of continents. Found between 15⁰to
30⁰North and South of equator.
Sahara desert is found in the Northern hemisphere covering parts of countries like
Egypt, Mali , Niger. Namib desert is found in Namibia while Kgalagadi desert is in
Botswana and South Africa.
II. Climate characteristics
❖ Rainfall- receives very little rainfall, less than 250mm per year.
✓ Why? They lie along the sub- tropical high-pressure belts where the air is
descending and carry very little moisture. They are on the leeward side
where the air is very dry. The wind that blows in to this areas is affected by
cold currents such as Benguela and Canaries in Africa.
✓ The common type of rainfall is convectional and usually falls in summer.
❖ Temperature- experiences very hot summers and cold temperature in winter.
✓ High diurnal temperature range{ a large difference in day and night temperatures.
✓ Why? Dry air, cloudless sky, very little or no vegetation cover. During sunset the land
loses heat quickly by radiation.
III. Vegetation in tropical deserts.
The natural vegetation is called desert scrub
How vegetation has adapted to the climate
Features Reason
Plants have thick succulent leaves To store water
Plants have long tap roots To reach water deep underground
Waxy leaves To reduce transpiration
Few/ spearshaped / small leaves To reduce transpiration
Seeds lie dormant in the soil To withstand the dry period
Scattered plants To reduce competion for water and nutrients
Xerophytic plants Drought resistant
IV. Human activities
Pastoralism
Tourism
Mining
Oil drilling
Hunting and gathering
Caravan trading
Fishing along Namibian coast
Settled cultivators especially in the Sahara Desert along the Nile River.
V. Impact of human activities on the environment.
Air and Land pollution
Deforestation
Overgrazing due to overstocking
VI. Why climate and soil are harsh for plant growth.
Little or no rainfall
High temperature
Soils lack humus
Soil has poor water holding capacity
Mobile/ loose soil
Salty soil
Equatorial Climate
a) Location
Found between 0⁰- 5⁰ N and S of equator. In Africa it covers the Congo Basin, Southern Ivory
coast, West and Central Ghana, Western coast of Nigeria. Other areas include SE Asia,
Vietnam, Indonesia, Colombia, Brazil.
b) Climate characteristics
i) Rainfall
Experiences heavy rainfall through out the year
Why? The sun id directly overhead of the time. High relative humidity
Annual rainfall of about 1500 – 2000 mm
Convectional type because of intense heating of the ground surface creating a low-
pressure cell to develop
ii) Temperature
Uniform temperature throughout the year
Hot throughout the year
Low annual temperature range of about 3⁰C
Small diurnal temperature range due to clod cover, high relative humidity and thick
forests.
There are no seasons [ uniform temperature and heavy rainfall throughout the year]
c) Vegetation
Natural vegetation is called Tropical Rainforest.
Adaptation
Features Adaptation
Broad leaves To increase transpiration
Very tall trees To reach sunlight
Smooth trunks No need for protection
Leathery leaves To withstand the strong sunlight
Aerial roots/ buttress roots High rainfall throughout the year
Canopy Competition for sunlight
Evergreen forests High rainfall throughout the year
Continuous growth High temperature and rainfall throughout
the year
Lianas/climbers To reach sunlight
Rapid growth Great heat and rainfall
Large stoma To increase transpiration
Little undergrowth Shortage of sunlight
Layered [top, middle and bottom] Competition for sunlight
Dense forests Competition for sunlight
Drip tip leaves To shed off rainwater
Hard woods such as Mahogany, Ebony, iron
wood
d) How people benefit from natural vegetation
Lumbering/ source of timber
Source of medicine/ herbal plants
Source of firewood
Source of raw materials
Source of building material
Wind breakers
Tourism
Research work/ education
e) Human activities
Fishing
Lumbering
Shifting cultivation
Tourism
Hunting and gathering
f) Impact of human activities on the environment
Land and air pollution.
Deforestation
Growth of secondary forests
Extinction of plants
depletion
g) Problems faced by people living in the equatorial climate.
Leaching
Diseases
Growth of secondary forests due to high rate of lumbering
Forests acts ass hiding places for rebels.
Mediterranean
a) Location
It occurs between 30 -45⁰ North and South of the Equator.it covers parts of countries like
Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco and Cape town.
b) Climate characteristics
Temperature
Hot and dry summers
Average temperature of about 21⁰c in summer
Mild or cool winters
Average winter temperature of about 10⁰C
Rainfall
Annual rainfall of about 500 -900 mm
Winter rainfall
Cyclonic or frontal rainfall.
c) Vegetation
Natural vegetation is called Mediterranean Evergreen forests. It comprises of
a) Mediterranean evergreen forests like cork oaks in Spain and Portugal, eucalyptus forests
in Australia, and giant sequoia in California
b) Evergreen coniferous trees like pine, firs, cedar and cypresses
c) Mediterranean bushes and shrubs
d) grass
d) Human activities
Tourism
Cereal crop production
Viticulture
Orchard farming
Pastoral farming
Nuts farming
Olive production
Cultivation of sweet-smelling herbs
e) Impact of human activities on the environment
Deforestation
Land air and water pollution
overgrazing
CLIMATE CHANGE
Long term alterations or change in the average weather patterns on earth. This includes changes in
temperature, precipitation, wind patterns and other elements over decades. Climate change can
occur naturally, but the current trend is mainly driven by human activities.
CAUSES OF CLIMATE CHANGE
HUMAN
• Deforestation – as trees absorb carbon dioxide, cutting them down reduces the carbon sink
hence releasing the stored carbon into the atmosphere.
• Greenhouse gas emissions - Accumulation of carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels for
energy band transportation. Methane from livestock farming, landfills and natural gas leaks.
Fluorinated gases from industrial applications and refrigeration.
• Industrialization – factories release pollutants and greenhouse gases, contributing to
atmospheric warming.
• Land use changes – urbanization replaces natural landscapes with heat absorbing materials
like concrete, contributing to local temperature rises.
PHYSICAL / NATURAL
• Volcanic eruptions – major eruptions release large amounts of carbon dioxide and aerosols
into the atmosphere contributing to long term global warming.
• Ocean currents and circulation patterns – oceans absorb and distribute heat globally.
Changes in ocean currents like El Nino impact on weather patterns and increases global
temperatures.
• Albedo effect – ice and snow reflect sunlight, keeping the planet cool. As ice melts due to
warming, darker surfaces like ocean water absorb more heat hence accelerating global
warming.
EFFECTS / CHALLENGES OF CLIMATE CHANGE
• Rising global temperatures – the planet’s average temperature has risen, leading to more
frequent and intense heat waves.
• Extreme weather events – more droughts, floods, tropical cyclones and wildfires occur due
to changing weather patterns.
• Rising sea levels – melting glaciers and thermal expansion of sea water cause sea levels to
rise, hence threatening coastal communities.
• Loss of biodiversity – Many species face habitat loss and extinction due to shifting
ecosystems.
• Ocean acidification – carbon dioxide absorbed by oceans leads to acidification, harming
marine life like corals and shellfish.
• Health impacts – increased heatwaves, air pollution, food and water shortage lead to more
illness and deaths.
MITIGATION STRATEGIES
• Use renewable energy sources – this can be done by shifting from fossil fuels to solar, wind,
hydro and geothermal sources.
• Improve energy efficiency in transportation, buildings, and industries to reduce emissions.
• Reforestation and afforestation as trees help to absorb carbon dioxide and restore
ecosystems.
• Practice sustainable agriculture – reduce methane emissions from livestock, improve
fertilizer use and promote regenerative farming practices.
• Transport changes where the use of electric vehicles is promoted as well as public
transportation, cycling and walking to cut emissions from fuels.
• Policy and international cooperation – agreements like the paris agreement aim to limit
global warming to well below 2°C.
• Personal actions – individuals are encouraged to reduce their carbon footprint by reducing
waste and conserving energy.
