Vegetation RegionsVegetation Regions

Chapter 2 Section 4Chapter 2 Section 4

Students will explore Students will explore Earth’s vegetation Earth’s vegetation regions in order to regions in order to explain the the explain the the relationship between relationship between climate and climate and vegetation.vegetation.

The Amazon Basin in Brazil and The Amazon Basin in Brazil and the islands of Indonesia are the islands of Indonesia are

examples of _________________.examples of _________________.

Tropical RainforestTropical Rainforest

The trees are very tall and of a great The trees are very tall and of a great variety of species. One rarely finds two variety of species. One rarely finds two trees of the same species growing close to trees of the same species growing close to one another. one another.

The vegetation is so dense that little light The vegetation is so dense that little light reaches the forest floor. reaches the forest floor.

Most of the plants are evergreen, not Most of the plants are evergreen, not deciduous. deciduous.

The branches of the trees are festooned The branches of the trees are festooned with vines. with vines.

New England and Northern New England and Northern Europe Europe

have____________________have____________________

Mid-Latitude (deciduous) Mid-Latitude (deciduous) ForestForest

hardwood trees (e.g., beech, maple, hardwood trees (e.g., beech, maple, oak, hickory) which are deciduous; oak, hickory) which are deciduous; that is, shed their leaves in the that is, shed their leaves in the autumn. autumn.

The number of different species is far The number of different species is far more limited than in the jungle. more limited than in the jungle.

Large stands dominated by a single Large stands dominated by a single species are common. species are common.

Deer, raccoons, and salamanders are Deer, raccoons, and salamanders are characteristic inhabitants.characteristic inhabitants.

___________ Forest___________ Forest

Coniferous ForestConiferous Forest

Colder parts of the mid-latitudesColder parts of the mid-latitudes Trees have needles and seed conesTrees have needles and seed cones Trees are evergreenTrees are evergreen Redwoods in California are one Redwoods in California are one

exampleexample Canada and Siberia, Russia are also Canada and Siberia, Russia are also

examples of coniferous forest. examples of coniferous forest. 

ChaparralChaparral

Trees in the chaparral are mostly Trees in the chaparral are mostly oaks, both deciduous and oaks, both deciduous and evergreen--scrub oaks and shrubs evergreen--scrub oaks and shrubs like manzanita and the California like manzanita and the California lilac.lilac.

All plants are adapted to drought by All plants are adapted to drought by such mechanisms as waxy, such mechanisms as waxy, waterproof coatings on their leaves.waterproof coatings on their leaves.

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tropical areas close to the equator tropical areas close to the equator mostly grasses with scattered trees mostly grasses with scattered trees and shrubs and shrubs

has a wet season and dry season has a wet season and dry season wildfires are commonwildfires are common

Most of southern Africa and parts of Most of southern Africa and parts of Brazil are savannas.Brazil are savannas.

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Two types, depending on rainfall: Two types, depending on rainfall: "tall grass" or "short grass""tall grass" or "short grass"

Cooler climatesCooler climates

Wildfires are commonWildfires are common

Typical in the American Midwest.Typical in the American Midwest.

Also called "steppes" in central AsiaAlso called "steppes" in central Asia

Desert ScrubDesert Scrub

cactus plants, specialized to store cactus plants, specialized to store watercactus grow widely scattered watercactus grow widely scattered due to little raindue to little rain

Arizona and parts of Pakistan are Arizona and parts of Pakistan are examples of desert scrub.examples of desert scrub.

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Alaska and Iceland are Alaska and Iceland are examples of tundra.examples of tundra.

TundraTundra

Climate is always cold.Climate is always cold. No trees.No trees. Short growing season.small plants, Short growing season.small plants,

wildflowers, lichen (tiny, brightly wildflowers, lichen (tiny, brightly colored plants)colored plants)

permafrost under the soilpermafrost under the soil

Ice CapIce Cap

Ice. Ice. Pure ice. Pure ice. Nothing but ice.Nothing but ice. This shot is from Greenland. This shot is from Greenland. How did that guy get there? How did that guy get there? Greenland and Antarctica are examples of Greenland and Antarctica are examples of

ice cap.ice cap.

Highland ClimateHighland Climate

At higher elevations, climate can be At higher elevations, climate can be very different than the surrounding very different than the surrounding area. area.

For instance, there is an alpine ski For instance, there is an alpine ski lodge in the middle of the Arizona lodge in the middle of the Arizona desert. desert.

The mountains of Peru and northern The mountains of Peru and northern India are examples of highland India are examples of highland climates.climates.

Vegetation MapVegetation Map

What have we learned?What have we learned?