Geo 5 - Equatorial Climates: November 2011

Equatorial Climates are located, naturally, around the equator. Characterized by no dry season, an equatorial or tropical climate usually has a mean rainfall of at least 60mm throughout the year. The climate is typically hot and wet throughout the year with rainfall being heavy and frequent.

Mainly affecting the Southeast-Asian region, further contrasts to the uniformity are the monsoon seasons that occur twice a year (NE Monsoon from Dec to Mar and SW Monsoon from Jun to Sep). These conditions include much cloud cover, with frequent afternoon showers. Widespread torrential downpours may occur from 1 to 3 days at a stretch.

Areas in central America, from Ecuador to Costa Rica can be consistently and monotonously wet throughout the year.

The equatorial climate is found at latitudes within 5 degrees North and South of the equator. However, tropical microclimates may be found in other regions, and the climate is not necessarily uniform across the entire equator. Fort Lauderdale les actually outside the tropics, yet it experiences a tropical rainforest climate albeit with slight variations including cooler and warmer periods in the year.

Characteristics

Equatorial rain forests have a distinct scenery, crowded with numerous and varied species of both flora and fauna. The colors found in the flowers are vibrant, and the trees are full and lush.

There is indeed a great contrast between the constant recurring changes of the seasons found in temperate climates, and the perpetual summer found at the equator with variations found mainly in the amount of rainfall, direction and strength of the winds, and the amount of sunshine.

Effects by Humans

Between 1985 and 1990, 210 million acres of tropical forests were destroyed. Rubber, fruit, meat, herbs, floral greenery, lumber and charcoal are all obtained from these forests, with local people using them for subsistence hunting and fishing. The woods found in these forests are also prized, including mahogany and teak which are strong woods that are long lasting and easy to work with. These woods are also resistant to decay and are used extensively in furniture.

Tropical forests contain many plant and animal resources important to the global economy, but it also contains a huge amount of bio-diversity. By comparison, temperate forests have relatively few. A large amount of research is done on plants and herbs found within rain forests, with many being destroyed before they can be identified.

Many animal species are being driven to extinction, either hunted due to demand in herbal remedies or destruction of their natural habitats. Species like the Sumatran rhinoceros and Javan tiger may be extinct soon as well.

The largest remaining areas of tropical rain forests are in Brazil, Congo, Indonesia and Malaysia. These forests play huge roles in the water-cycle, contributing large amounts of water through transpiration.

Rate of Deforestation:

2.47 acres per second (2 Football fields)
78 Million acres per year

Reasons for deforestation:

Slash and burn - clearance by local people for crops

Road building - development of infrastructure

Logging - for firewood and construction

Cattle ranching - land needed for pastures

Farming - crops needed for ever increasing populations

Mining - precious resources under rainforest

Effects of deforestation:

Damage to ecosystem due to sudden change in conditions due to clear-cutting. Soil dries up in sun, and subsequently can get washed away by the rain.

Soil erosion deposits soil into river systems, potentially adversely affecting them as well.

Wildlife and plant life are reduced.

Global warming is left uncheck as less and less trees are replacing CO2 in the atmosphere.

Case Study - Singapore

1 degree North of the equator, Singapore's climate is classified as equatorial with no true distinct seasons. The island is exposed to high humidity and abundant rainfall, with highest rainfall figures including 512mm (20.2in) within a 24-hour period. Temperatures remain between 73 to 87 degrees Fahrenheit.

Singapore is making a conscious effort to integrate the natural surroundings into it's urban planning developments. Trees line almost every major roadway and street, with large areas of the island demarcated for nature reserves and natural reservoirs.

One of these reserves include Sugei Buloh wetland reserve, a mangrove swamp that has been cleaned up of trash, and several minimal-impact buildings have been constructed to allow for appreciation of the reserve. Mangrove forests grow in the intertidal margin between sea and shore. Mangrove trees help to stabilize the shoreline and trap sediment that contribute to ecosystem productivity.