Ecology: Climate and Vegetation
An Introduction to Ecology
Look at the map below to view the incredible diverse climates of Latin America and the Caribbean! From arid highlands, to tropical rainforests this area is teeming with life. We will start by working our way through the varying climates below, then move to vegetation, and lastly study the plants and animals that help to create each biome.
Tropical Rainforests
Tropical Rainforests also spelled tropical rain forests, luxuriant forest found in wet tropical uplands and lowlands around the Equator. Tropical rainforests, which worldwide make up one of Earth’s largest biomes (major life zones), are dominated by broad-leaved trees that form a dense upper canopy (layer of foliage) and contain a diverse array of vegetation and other life.
Tropical Savanna
Savanna, also spelled savannah, vegetation type that grows under hot, seasonally dry climatic conditions and is characterized by an open tree canopy (i.e., scattered trees) above a continuous tall grass understory (the vegetation layer between the forest canopy and the ground).
Steppe
A steppe is a dry, grassy plain. Steppes occur in temperate climates, which lie between the tropics and polar regions. Temperate regions have distinct seasonal temperature changes, with cold winters and warm summers.
Desert
Desert, any large, extremely dry area of land with sparse vegetation. It is one of Earth’s major types of ecosystems, supporting a community of distinctive plants and animals specially adapted to the harsh environment.
Marine West Coast
Marine west coast climate, also called oceanic climate, major climate type of the Köppen classification characterized by equable climates with few extremes of temperature and ample precipitation in all months. It is located poleward of the Mediterranean climate region on the western sides of the continents, between 35° and 60° N and S latitude.
Mediterranean
A Mediterranean climate or dry summer climate is characterized by dry summers and mild, wet winters. The climate receives its name from the Mediterranean Basin, where this climate type is most common. Mediterranean climate zones are typically located along the western sides of continents, between roughly 30 and 45 degrees north and south of the equator.
Humid Subtropical
Humid subtropical climates are characterized by warm to hot summers and cool winters. Rainfall is distributed fairly evenly throughout the year. Winter rainfall–and sometimes snowfall–is associated with large storm systems that the westerlies steer from west to east. Most summer rainfall occurs during thunderstorms and an occasional tropical storm or hurricane. Humid subtropical climates lie on the southeast side of continents, roughly between 25 degrees and 40 degrees latitude.
Highlands
The Highlands or Alpine biome is one of the coldest biomes in the world. It is so cold because of its high altitudes. Summer temperature range between -12 degrees Celsius to 10 degrees Celsius. The highlands are dry throughout the year and are marked by a lack of trees and large vegetation.
Now that you have explored the Biomes, let's do a quick run through the the natural vegetation of Latin America and the Caribbean before we dive into the exciting creatures that live there!
What is natural vegetation?
Natural vegetation is a plant cover that develops with little or no human interference. It is subject to natural forces, storms, or fires that can modify or even destroy it.
Why is natural vegetation so important?
Natural vegetation is critical to an array or environmental issues as well as the protection of endangered species of flora and fauna. Some examples include: maintaining water quality and availability of an area, reducing soil erosion and land degradation, and protecting species through lack of human interference. We will cover more issues regarding natural vegetation and its importance in the Sustainability section below.
What are the different types of natural vegetation in Latin America and the Caribbean? Use the flashcards below to get familiar with the new terms: