may be found in other areas of the world at high altitudes. Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa lies
near the equator in the tropics, but the top of the mountain is in the tundra biome and there
is also a small glacier at the top.
Lesson Summary
- A climate zone depends on a region’s latitude, continental position, and relationship
to prevailing winds, large water bodies and mountains, among other factors. - The temperature, rainfall, length of dry season, and other features of the climate zone
determine which plants can grow. - When living organisms develop in similar climates, they must adapt to that same
environment. So the organisms in similar climate zones resemble each other, no matter
how geographically distant they are. Because the organisms are so similar, a climate
zone and its organisms make up a biome.
Review Questions
- Why are most climate zones found in similar locations on continents within the North-
ern Hemisphere? - What are some reasons that climate zones differ between continents, even though
locations are similar? - Why do organisms in the same biome often look the same even though they are not
the same species? Think about desert plants, for example. Why are the plants that
live in low latitude deserts on different continents so similar? - Why is the length of the dry season important in distinguishing different types of
climate zones? Give an example. - Since the equator receives the most solar radiation over the course of a year, why
are the hottest temperatures found in the low-latitude deserts? Why are low-latitude
deserts often chilly at night, even in the summer? - What are the differences between arid and semi-arid deserts?
- What conditions bring about the hot and humid summer days found in the American
South? - What is the most important factor in determining the presence of a forest?
- Look atFigure 7and see which major climate types are found in California (ignore
the 3rd letter on each symbol). Look at a geographic map at the same time if you
need to. Which climate type is the most common and where is it found? Which other
two types of climates are found and where? Why does California have so many major
climate types? - Polar regions receive little precipitation. Why are they not considered deserts?
- What is permafrost? Does it stay the same year-round?
- Why are microclimates important to living things?