What is the precipitation regime in the tropical zone? Climatic conditions in the tropics. Climate and climate resources

Tropical and subtropical zones are the richest natural zones in terms of diversity of flora and fauna. The tropical zone is one of the main climatic zones of the planet, and the subtropical zone is one of the transitional ones. They are characterized by a rather hot climate, as they are located near the equator. The formation of the tropics and subtropics occurs under constant increased atmospheric pressure, which leads to the establishment of low clouds and the hottest temperatures compared to other zones.

Climate

Tropical zone

The tropical zone, according to its climate, divides its natural zones into dry and wet. Distinctive feature Both subzones are considered to have constant strong dry trade winds blowing along the equator.

The dry tropics have a fairly hot, dry climate. The average temperature of the warmest months reaches +30 - +35 degrees, and the coldest months never drop below +10 degrees. High atmospheric pressure has led to extremely low cloudiness in this natural zone and little precipitation, up to 200 mm per year.

Humid areas of the tropics are characterized by large volumes of precipitation, reaching up to 7000 mm per year. The climate there is as hot as in dry ones.

Subtropical zone

The subtropical zone is located immediately after the tropical one. Scientists divide this zone, depending on the amount of precipitation, into wet and semi-wet. In summer, the average temperature of the subtropical zone reaches 20-25 degrees Celsius, and in winter - not lower than 5 degrees Celsius.

Natural zones of the subtropical zone are found on many continents of our planet. This led to a large number of climate types of this natural zone. Perhaps it is the subtropical zone that can boast of the diversity of these conditions. According to the type of climate, the described zone is divided:

• Mediterranean climate with typical winter abundant moisture;
• Continental climate with rather poor moisture;
• Monsoon climate with abundant moisture in summer period

Natural areas

Tropical zone

The tropical zone is usually divided into the following natural zones, starting from east to west:

• Tropical rainforest zone;
• Woodland zone;
• Zone of dry forests and hot savannas;
• Zone tropical semi-deserts and deserts.

As a rule, all zones are sparsely populated by humans, with the exception of some areas of the eastern sites.

Subtropical zone

The tropical zones are more diverse, since their individual sections are found on each continent. On the western part of the oceanic coast they are located in the following order:

• Hard-leaved forests;
• Subtropical steppes;
• Subtropical semi-deserts and deserts;

The Southern Hemisphere “hides” zones deep on the continent:

• Subtropical steppes;
• To the east - broadleaf forests subtropics;
• IN high areas- subtropical evergreen forests.

Vegetable world

Tropical zone

The tropical zone, due to its favorable location, boasts a rich flora. It is in this natural zone that more than 75% of all flora existing on Earth grow.

swampy forests

In the swamps of the tropical forest, the soil is severely depleted of oxygen, which is why species composition plants are scarce here. All representatives of the flora have an external root system, allowing you to receive enough oxygen. Typically, this type of rain forest occurs in swampy lowlands and is characterized by low species diversity.

Mangroves

Mangrove forests grow in coastal areas or in temperate areas, prerequisite everyone has access to warm currents. Here you can see, as if in levels, plants:

• Rhizophores;
• Avicennia;
• Brughieres and conocarpus;
• Ceriops;
• Aegitseras;
• On the border with the forest there are nipa palms.

The tree crowns of the mangrove forest are located very densely, so light practically does not pass through them to the lower tiers. Almost the entire forest floor is occupied by stilted roots, making progress difficult.

Mountain forests

Such forests grow at an altitude of more than a kilometer. Due to heavy rainfall, the fog condenses quite heavily here. The forest is formed by two poorly formed tiers:

• The top one is woody. Represented by tree ferns, magnolias, camellias, giant evergreen oaks, and rhododendrons.
• The lower tier is grassy. It is represented by mosses and lichens, ferns, undergrowth of trees and herbs.
• There is also extra-tiered vegetation: lianas and epiphytic mosses.

Seasonal forests

Seasonal forests receive less rainfall during certain months. Based on the leaves they shed during drought, forests are divided into:

• Evergreen forests (eg eucalyptus);
• Semi-evergreen (the upper tier sheds its leaves, but the lower one does not);
• Sparse ones are represented by one type.

By location in climate zone:

• Monsoon: laurel, sugar cane, annual grasses, lianas and epiphytes;
• Savannah: palms, bottle trees, cacti, milkweeds and grasses;
• Prickly xerophilous: legumes (acacia and mimosa), thin vines and herbaceous grasses;

Subtropical zone

Hardleaf forests are found in a Mediterranean climate and are usually represented by:

• On upper tier: oak, olive tree, cedar and black pine;
• On the second: strawberry tree, boxwood and phyllyria;
• On the bottom: grasses and mosses.

Monsoon mixed forest is formed by evergreen oak (and other representatives of beech trees), magnolias, pines, laurels, firs, camellias, palms and vines. Closer to the equator, the species composition is significantly depleted.

Evergreens (hemigilea) differ from their tropical neighbors in less diversity of species. Vegetable world represented by tree ferns, evergreen oaks, camellias and camphor laurel. Among the grassy areas there are thickets of bamboo.

Animal world

Tropical zone

By number of living animal species rainforests superior to almost all other natural areas. Animals here usually live in the canopies tall trees. Among the mammals of the tropical zone there are: Flying squirrels, Hippos, Elephants, Rhinoceroses, Palm squirrels, Many species of monkeys (spider monkey, howler monkey, marmosets), Sloths, Tapir, Tree porcupines,
Spike-tailed squirrels, Leopards, Tiger, Hedgehogs, Okapi, Lemur loris.

Amphibians include a huge variety of frogs (colorful steeplejacks), peep toads, caecilians and tree frogs.

Subtropical zone

The fauna of the subtropical zone is represented by species of the tropics and temperate zone. To the previous animals are added: mouflon, red deer, fallow deer, ferret, fox, jackal, otter, chaffinch, goldfinch and blackbird.

The subtropical and tropical zones are distinguished by a rich flora and fauna and have a comfortable warm climate.

Planets located in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

It covers individual areas on all continents, with the exception of Antarctica.

The tropical belt passes through the territory of Australia, Algeria, China, Egypt, Brazil, Vietnam, Chile, Oman, Thailand and other countries, and over the oceans it has characteristics.

The formation of climatic conditions occurs under the influence of tropical air masses. They are characterized by such indicators as high atmospheric pressure, slight cloudiness, low humidity air, small amounts of precipitation, persistent anticyclonic air circulation, constant winds east direction– trade winds.

The tropics are characterized by seasonal changes in air temperature over the continents.

IN summer months average annual temperature air temperature is +30...+35 degrees; in cold months it does not fall below +10 degrees.

The recorded maximum air temperature was +61 degrees, and the minimum was 0 degrees.

Precipitation in the tropics ranges from 50 to 200 mm, and only in the eastern oceanic region does it fall up to 2000 mm.

Tropical climate zone heterogeneous, it contains subspecies that differ from each other:

• tropical humid climate;
• desert tropical climate;
• trade wind tropical climate.

The humid climate of the tropics is typical for those regions adjacent to the ocean. Tropical marine air masses dominate within its boundaries throughout the year. The average air temperature ranges from +20 to +28 degrees.

A humid tropical climate occurs in Brazil - the Rio de Janeiro region, in the state of Florida, on the Hawaiian Islands.

A desert tropical climate has formed inside the continents and in coastal areas washed by cold currents. It is characterized by tropical dry air masses.

Air temperature changes during the day are significant. Summer is hot, with average temperature above +30 degrees, although not always, winter temperature does not exceed +20 degrees, but frosts may also occur during this period. Similar climatic conditions are observed in the Sahara, Kalahari, Namib, and Atacama.

The opposite of the desert tropical climate is the humid tropical climate zone. These are small, humid places with dry periods.

In Eurasia, these will be the coastal regions of India and the southern part of Asia.

As the tropical climate moves from west to east, arid deserts are replaced by tropical forests with high rainfall.

In a tropical trade wind climate, there is a seasonal change in trade winds, summer is hot, with a temperature of +27...+29 degrees, winter is much colder, and the temperature is winter months rises to +17…+19 degrees.

This type of climate is typical for Paraguay.

In regions such as equatorial Africa, South and Southeast Asia, northern Australia, the trade wind tropical climate is replaced by a monsoon tropical climate. Here, the intertropical convergence zone moves further north of the equator in summer.

The eastern trade wind transfer of air masses is being replaced by the western monsoon. It is with this replacement that the bulk of the precipitation is associated.

Tropical climate classification

The physical and geographical characteristics of a particular area include climate.

The height of the area above sea level in the formation of its climatic conditions has great importance. To shape the climate sea ​​coasts And island countries Ocean currents play a big role.

Figure 1. Surface water circulation. Author24 - online exchange of student work

Note 1

There are several classifications of climates, both for the entire planet and for individual territories and individual climate zones. The most famous are the classifications of V. P. Koeppen, B. P. Alisov, M. I. Budyko and others.

According to the classification of B.P. Alisov, the tropical climate zone is located between the subtropical and subequatorial. He bases the identification of climatic zones on the general circulation of the atmosphere, i.e. Climate formation occurs under the influence of one type of air mass.

Because the tropical zone lies between the summer position of tropical fronts and the winter position of polar fronts, it will be occupied mainly by tropical air throughout the year.

As a result, in the tropical climate zone he distinguishes:

• tropical trade wind climate;
• dry tropical climate;
• monsoon tropical climate;
• monsoon climate on tropical plateaus.

One of the more common systems for classifying climate types is the classification of V. P. Koeppen (a Russian and German climatologist).

The classification was developed back in 1900, and in 1918 and 1936. he made changes to it.

In his classification, he defines tropical climate as non-arid with average monthly temperature air above +17 degrees.

The tropical climate includes 4 types, differing from each other in the distribution of precipitation throughout the year:

1. rainy tropical climate (according to B.P. Alisov it corresponds to the equatorial type);
2. tropical rainy monsoon (corresponding to subequatorial according to B.P. Alisov);
3. tropical climate with rainy summers and dry winters;
4. tropical climate with dry summers and rainy winters.

According to W.P. Koeppen, a tropical climate with wet summers and dry winters has two well-defined seasons. He believes that if in a tropical climate there is at least 60 mm of precipitation during a month, then this month is considered rainy, and the rest are dry.

This type of climate is formed when during the calendar year the number rainy months from 3 to 9. Under such conditions, it is formed natural area savannah, and sometimes it is called that - tropical savannah climate.

It was formed in both hemispheres. In the Northern Hemisphere, these would be Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Philippines, southern India, Sri Lanka, southern Papua New Guinea and etc.

In Africa it stretches from the Atlantic to the Indian Oceans. IN North America– Hawaiian Islands, southern Florida, the Pacific coast of Mexico, central and northeastern Brazil, etc.

Tropical belt in the ocean

In the ocean, the tropical zone is characterized by the stability of trade winds.

Summer over the oceans is not as hot as on tropical land. Summer temperature from +20 to +28 degrees, winter temperatures are much lower and vary from +10 to +15 degrees. Precipitation in the tropics over the ocean is about 500 mm.

The temperature jump layer is clearly expressed, and hence there are significant temperature contrasts in depth. The salinity of the water is 36-37%0, the water is poor in oxygen.

There is little plankton in such water, which is food for fish. The color of the water is blue, it is transparent. Blue color sea ​​water says that this is a “sea desert”.

The water of the tropical part of the ocean is oversaturated with carbonates, which makes it possible for mollusks and coral polyps build their internal skeleton and shells from it. This, in turn, contributes to the gradual accumulation of organogenic limestone on the ocean floor.

The largest tropical belt is characteristic of Pacific Ocean. In its area (88 million sq. km) it significantly exceeds the corresponding belt of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans combined.

Meridional flows in the tropics in the surface layers are rather weak; latitudinal water transport is predominant. Temperature upper layers, as well as the distribution of animals in the tropical Pacific Ocean, are largely determined by horizontal currents and vertical movements of water.

The warm surface layer in the western part of the Pacific Ocean reaches 75-100 m. Less than 25 m this layer is observed at the eastern edge of the ocean.

Characteristic of the Pacific Ocean are currents of different water temperatures, general scheme which determine the patterns of general atmospheric circulation.

Some people assume that "tropical climate" refers to the paradise and warm parts of our planet. However, this opinion does not coincide slightly with reality, since the word “tropic” in meteorology is defined differently. Tropical climate is a climatic characteristic of the tropics; that is, from the equator to the Tropic of Capricorn in the south and from the equator to the Tropic of Cancer in the north. Climate classification Köppen defines tropical climate as non-arid warm climate, in which the average annual air temperature is about 18° C.

Unlike subtropical regions, which are characterized by variations in temperature to varying degrees, in tropical climates the temperature remains relatively constant throughout the year as variations between seasons are dominated by precipitation. The tropical climate has only two seasons, which are the dry season and the rainy season. Changes in angle of incidence sunlight small in tropical climates, where, as a rule, there is no frost. In the tropical climatic zone There are different subtypes of tropical climates, which are based on the amount of rainfall. Below are the three main types of tropical climates.

Tropical climate with dry winters and rainy summers

Also known as a tropical climate, a tropical climate with dry winters and rainy summers experiences a long dry period and less annual precipitation. The driest month in this type of tropical climate receives less than 60 mm of precipitation, and the average annual precipitation is usually less than 100 mm. Tropical savanna climates are mainly found in Lagos, Nigeria; Bangalore, India; Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; Barquisimeto, Venezuela; Darwin, Australia; Honolulu, USA; Fort Myers, Florida; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Kupang, Indonesia and others.

Tropical monsoon climate

Tropical monsoon climate is a type of climate found in southern and central regions America and South-East Asia, as well as in parts of Australia and Africa. Tropical monsoon climate is influenced by monsoon winds, which change their direction according to the seasons. The driest month of the tropical monsoon climate occurs either winter solstice, or shortly after. Precipitation is usually less than 60 mm, but total annual precipitation exceeds 100 mm. Examples of regions that experience a tropical monsoon climate are Jakarta, Indonesia; Miami, Florida; Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire; Puerto Ayacucho, Venezuela; Chittagong, Bangladesh; Yangon, Myanmar; Cairns, Australia; Macapa, Brazil and others.

Equatorial tropical rain forest climate

Tropical rain forest climates are found in regions located around the equatorial region, usually between 5° and 10° latitude. However, in several eastern coastal areas this type of climate can extend to more than 26° from the equator. The climate of tropical rain forests is mainly characterized by systems low pressure, since depressions predominate in them, while receiving a uniform amount of precipitation throughout the year. There are no distinct seasons in tropical rainforests. All 12 months in this climate have an average rainfall of at least 60 mm. Examples of tropical rain forest sites with equatorial climate include Mbandaka, Congo; Singapore; Klang, Malaysia; Hilo, Hawaii; Innisfail, Australia; Apia Samoa, Davao, Philippines; Bogor, Indonesia and others.

Exceptions

For various reasons, there are areas in the tropics that do not have a tropical climate; these include alpine and some desert areas. Examples of places without tropical climates include the Sahara Desert, southern parts of the Arabian Peninsula, and alpine areas found in the tropics. Likewise, some mountain peaks located in the tropics can be cold, such as Mount Kenya. However, in low-lying areas of the tropics, there is significantly less seasonal temperature variation.

The tropical climate zone covers the globe from the 20th to the 30th parallel in the northern and southern hemispheres. These areas usually experience clear weather throughout the year, and the air temperature depends on how high the Sun rises above the horizon. In summer the air warms up to +30°C. Although sometimes it can rise to +45-50°C. In winter, the air cools greatly, often to negative readings on the thermometer.

The air temperature can vary greatly during the day, when the sultry heat during the day gives way to evening coolness and severe cold at night. In the tropics there is little precipitation - no more than 50-150 mm per year. Most of them occur in the winter months. These latitudes are very susceptible to the influence of trade winds.

Types of climate in tropical latitudes

Tropical climates are usually divided into two categories, depending on the proximity of the area to the ocean.

Continental: In the interior of the continents, the climate is tropical latitudes hot and dry, with large temperature differences. The area is common here high blood pressure atmosphere. The weather is mostly clear and cloudless. And sudden temperature changes give rise to strong winds and dust storms.

The areas of distribution of the continental tropical climate in the western and eastern regions differ significantly. The western coasts of South America, Australia and Africa are washed predominantly by cold currents, so in tropical latitudes the climate in these areas is cooler, the air rarely warms up by more than 20-25°C.

The eastern coasts of the continents are in power warm currents, so temperatures here are higher and there is more precipitation.

Oceanic: In coastal areas and over the oceans, a milder climate is formed, with abundant precipitation, warm summer and mild winter. This type of climate is very similar to the equatorial climate, but is characterized by less cloudiness and strong winds. Precipitation occurs mainly in the summer months.

Temperature values

(averaged, approximate for the tropical climate zone)

~ July +25 °C,

~ January +15 °C +20 °C.

Natural zones of the tropical climate zone

The tropics are dominated by three natural zones: forests, semi-deserts and deserts.

Tropical rain forests - this natural area covers east coasts continents. Such forests are common in Indochina, Madagascar, the West Indies, Florida, Australia, the islands of Oceania and the coast of the Gulf of Guinea.

These forests are rich in flora and fauna, with a large number of endemic species.

Variable-humid or seasonal tropical forests distributed to the north and south of the humid tropics. They differ from the latter in that they have fewer vines and ferns, and the trees shed their leaves in the winter.

Tropical semi-deserts occupy vast territories, especially in Africa, south of the Sahara. IN South America found in the north of Atacama and Brazil; this natural zone also exists in Asia and Australia. Summer here is long and hot, the temperature often rises to +30°C; winter is not cold, since the temperature does not drop below +10°C. Due to high evaporation, more precipitation falls, but in the winter months. Groundwater lies very deep and is often salty.

Tropical deserts cover most of the continents and western coasts of tropical territories. They are in power high pressure atmosphere, there is little precipitation, and the air here is so hot that the rain often evaporates before reaching the ground. IN tropical deserts Very high level solar radiation, strong winds prevail. Plants grow only those that are able to survive in extreme conditions. high temperatures and drought.

Tropical deserts are more common in Africa. The largest of them are the Sahara and Namib.

Countries of the tropical climate zone

(Map of the Earth's climate zones, click on the image to enlarge)

In Europe and Antarctica, the tropical zone is not represented. But in Africa it is found twice: both northern and southern.

Africa: from the north - Algeria, Mauritania, Libya, Egypt, Chad, Mali, Sudan, Niger. The southern tropical belt in Africa covers Angola, Namibia, Botswana and Zambia.

Asia: Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Oman, India.

North America: Mexico, western regions of Cuba

South America: Bolivia, Peru, Paraguay, northern Chile, Brazil.

Australia is the central region.

Tropical climate zone - one of two geographical zones globe. The tropics are located in the Northern and Southern hemispheres of the Earth between the subequatorial and subtropical zones from 20 to 30° N latitude. and S. Tropical zones cover certain areas on all continents except Antarctica, including the territory of countries such as Australia, Algeria, Egypt, China, Libya, UAE, Taiwan, Chile, Brazil, Vietnam, Hawaii, Maldives, Oman, Nigeria, Thailand, etc. The tropical climate has characteristic features over the oceans.

Climatic conditions are formed under the influence of tropical air masses, which are characterized by high atmospheric pressure and persistent anticyclonic air circulation, light cloudiness, low relative air humidity, and low annual precipitation. Seasonal temperature changes are pronounced over the continents. By the prevailing winds are the trade winds - constant winds east direction.

Average annual temperatures

The average annual temperatures of the warmest months are 30-35°C, the coldest months are at least 10°C. The maximum temperature was recorded at 61°C, the minimum – 0°C and below. The average annual precipitation ranges from 50 to 200 mm. In the eastern oceanic region alone, up to 2000 mm of precipitation can fall per year.

The territory lying in tropical zone, is conventionally divided into four regions:

1. Eastern Oceanic (with high humidity and dominant forest areas);

2. Eastern transitional (with a predominance of shrubs and woodlands);

3. Inland;

4. Western-oceanic (with a predominance of deserts and semi-deserts).The latter region experiences high relative humidity with frequent fogs and relatively stable temperatures.

Areas of continents located in the tropical zone are characterized by changes natural processes when moving from east to west: the runoff layer becomes less abundant (from 100 mm to 2-10 mm) and the water content of rivers decreases (eastern rivers are constantly full-flowing, western rivers are periodically).

To the east, erosion processes and chemical weathering are predominant, to the west and in the inland region - deflation and physical weathering. From east to west, the thickness of the soil cover decreases; inland and western regions are characterized by desert soils with a primitive composition (gypsum, carbonate, solonchaks), which alternate with sands and accumulations of rubble. The types also change from east to west. plant communities: mixed evergreen forests give way to monsoon deciduous forests and then to savannas or woodlands, dry forests, bushes, semi-deserts and deserts. Accordingly, the composition of the fauna changes - from many forest inhabitants to rare inhabitants of desert areas.

From east to west, the following zones of the tropical zone on land are distinguished: tropical zone rain forests, zone of light forests, zone of savannas and dry forests, tropical semi-deserts and deserts. Mountainous areas are characterized by altitudinal zones.

Sections of continents with tropical climate They are poorly developed and populated by humans, except in the eastern regions of the continents. In the eastern oceanic region, agriculture and forestry are developed, in the western oceanic and inland region - pasture cattle breeding with areas of irrigated agriculture, as a result of which natural landscapes are almost completely transformed in the process economic activity person.

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