Contrast the characteristics cf the Equatorial climate with those of the Tundra climate
Contrast between the Equatorial climate and the Tundra climate
Point
Equatorial Climate
Tundra Climate
Location
Within about 5°-10° N and S of the Equator (e.g. Congo Basin, Amazon Basin)
Poleward of about 66\tfrac{1}{2}° in the Arctic (northern Canada, Siberia, coastal Greenland)
Temperature
Uniformly high all year, about \(27^{\circ}\text{C}\), with a very small annual range (1-3°C)
Very cold; long winters far below freezing and brief cool summers barely above \(10^{\circ}\text{C}\); large annual range
Rainfall
Heavy, over \(2000\text{ mm}\) a year, well distributed, mostly convectional with afternoon thunderstorms
Very low, under \(250\text{ mm}\), much of it falling as snow; a cold desert
Humidity / seasons
High humidity, no distinct seasons, double rainfall maxima
Low humidity; marked winter and summer; long polar night and midnight-sun day
Vegetation
Dense, tall evergreen tropical rainforest with many species
Sparse mosses, lichens, sedges and dwarf shrubs; no trees; permafrost below
In summary, the Equatorial climate is hot, wet and uniform with luxuriant forest, while the Tundra climate is cold, dry and highly seasonal with only low, hardy vegetation.
Contrast between the Equatorial climate and the Tundra climate
Point
Equatorial Climate
Tundra Climate
Location
Within about 5°-10° N and S of the Equator (e.g. Congo Basin, Amazon Basin)
Poleward of about 66\tfrac{1}{2}° in the Arctic (northern Canada, Siberia, coastal Greenland)
Temperature
Uniformly high all year, about \(27^{\circ}\text{C}\), with a very small annual range (1-3°C)
Very cold; long winters far below freezing and brief cool summers barely above \(10^{\circ}\text{C}\); large annual range
Rainfall
Heavy, over \(2000\text{ mm}\) a year, well distributed, mostly convectional with afternoon thunderstorms
Very low, under \(250\text{ mm}\), much of it falling as snow; a cold desert
Humidity / seasons
High humidity, no distinct seasons, double rainfall maxima
Low humidity; marked winter and summer; long polar night and midnight-sun day
Vegetation
Dense, tall evergreen tropical rainforest with many species
Sparse mosses, lichens, sedges and dwarf shrubs; no trees; permafrost below
In summary, the Equatorial climate is hot, wet and uniform with luxuriant forest, while the Tundra climate is cold, dry and highly seasonal with only low, hardy vegetation.