GLOBAL LOCATIONS & Distribution

Equator 50 N or S
Moist air rises, cools, sinks and becomes drier - cycle is
repeated due to earth’s rotation (Coriolis Effect)

Convectional
rain
WET

The Equator receives the most direct sunlight.

Warm all year round, produces convectional rainfall.
 p.204

Convectional
rainfall

INSOLATION = solar radiation at Earth’s surface

SINGAPORE : good records are kept. Note MEAN TEMPERATURE, MEAN RELATIVE
HUMIDITY, MEAN RAINFALL and MEAN sunshine hours : what do you notice?
 Key
characteristics
of an
equatorial
climate
Very DENSE

Sunlight
does not
penetrate far
down

TRF structures
have adapted
well to their
environment
 Hot, humid

High rainfall

Layers of
vegetation

Soil not very

fertile;
rain washes
away
nutrients

Rapid nutrient
cycle

Home to 50% of
all animal
species
Plant adaptations
Inter-dependent ecosystem (as in all parts
of the earth)
Examples of animal adaptations