Tropical Marine Climate and

Vegetation
 Location
• These climates are found 10 – 20 degrees N &
S of the Equator

• They are found in coastal areas and on islands

• Countries include Caribbean, Central America,

Coast of E. Africa, Madagascar, coast of
Queensland in Australia
Map showing areas with tropical marine
climate
 Climate - Temperature
• Temperatures are high throughout the year
• Temperature modified by sea breezes and Trade
winds
• Average temperatures are between 17-32
degrees C
• The annual temperature range is small – approx.
5-7 degrees
• The daily/diurnal temperature range is small-
approx. 3-5 degrees C
Climograph – Kingston, Jamaica
 Climate - Rainfall
• Rainfall amount – Moderate to heavy (over
1750 mm)
• Rainfall type – Relief and convectional
• Rainfall distribution – Seasonal – Wet season
(June – November) Dry season (January –
April)
• Weather systems that bring rainfall:
hurricanes, cold fronts, tropical waves
 Tropical marine vegetation
• There is a wide variety of vegetation types in
the Tropical marine region
• Vegetation varies locally with climate, soil,
relief and drainage
• Some plants are _____________ meaning that
they must adapt to dry conditions
• Some plants are _____________ meaning that
they are adapted to growing in water
Vegetation on a typical Caribbean island
 Tropical Rainforest
• Found in the wettest lowland areas of the
Caribbean e.g. Guyana and Belize
• Also found in many areas of the Windward
Islands such as Dominica and Grenada, and in
sections of Eastern Jamaica (Portland)
• Species include cedar, mahogany, greenheart,
purple heart
Tropical rainforest
Tropical rainforest - adaptations
 Other adaptations
• Roots – Describe. Give reason for
adaptation___________________________

• Leaves – Describe. Give reason for adaptation

_____________________________________
• Trunks –Describe. Give reason for adaptation
_____________________________________
 Semi-evergreen forest
• Found in areas with a longer dry season and
fewer rainy periods
• 2 layers/storeys in this forest
• Trees shed leaves in dry season to conserve on
moisture e.g. poui
• Fewer epiphytes than rainforest because of dry
tree canopy
• Trees flower in dry season, so that their seeds will
be ready when rainy season starts
Semi-evergreen forest
Semi-evergreen forest – poui tree
 Dry woodland
• Found in rain-shadow areas of Windward islands,
Antigua, Jamaica (Long Mountain)
• Found in areas with low annual rainfall and long
dry season with little rainfall
• Found in areas with permeable soil type such as
areas with limestone rock
• Dry woodland plants make good use of available
water
• Trees include dogwood, satinwood, braziletto
Dry woodland
 Dry woodland
Differences between forest and woodland plants
• Fewer species of plants and fewer lianas and
epiphytes
• Trees are smaller (tallest trees 15-25 metres)
• Trees shed leaves in dry season or leaves are
very small (minimize water loss)
• Trees have thick barks – helps trees retain
moisture
 Thorn scrub
• Found in parts of Southern coastal lowlands of
Jamaica, Hellshire Hills and ABC islands
• Xerophytic plants adapted to dry conditions
 Thorn scrub – adaptations
• Leaves are small, with waxy and/or hairy surface
(to minimize water loss)
• Some plants have no leaves at all e.g. cactus
• Some plants store water e.g. succulents like aloe
• Some plants have deep roots, which can reach
below surface to get water
• Some plants have thorns or spines to protect
themselves from grazing animals
Thorn scrub
 Local variations
There are many distinctive vegetation types in
island and coastal regions. They include:

• Mangroves
• Coastal vegetation
• Montane forest
 Mangrove vegetation
• Found in muddy coastal areas that are covered by
brackish water e.g. coastal areas in Belize and
morasses in Jamaica
• Hydrophytic plants – adapted to growing in water
• Species include red mangrove, black mangrove, white
mangrove, buttonwood
• Roots of mangrove help to trap mud washed down by
rivers eventually leading to new land being built up
• Long stilt roots which stick up out of the water
Mangrove vegetation
Mangrove vegetation
Mangrove vegetation
 Coastal vegetation
• Halophytic plants – plants that grow well in
very salty conditions
• Environmental features – high salinity, lack of
water, windy conditions
• Examples include sea grape,
• Plants bent low, stunted by strong sea breezes
Coastal vegetation
 Montane vegetation
• Found in parts of Blue Mountains where
temperature is cooler due to higher altitudes
• Transition zone between tropical rainforest and
elfin woodland at summit
• Single storey with trees shorter than tropical rain
forests e.g. blue mahoe
• Covered with epiphytic plants such as bromeliads
(wild pines), ferns, mosses and orchids
Montane forest
Montane forest
 Elfin woodland
• Elfin woodland (cloud forest) – found at higher
altitudes such as mountain peaks and ridges
with cooler, saturated air
• Trees twisted, gnarled e.g. oaks, laurels
• Trunks and branches covered with mosses,
ferns and bromeliads
• Trees exposed to wind have thick, leathery
leaves
Elfin woodland
Elfin woodland