Large Scale Climate Differences
Special Segments General Topics
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Large Scale Climate Differences |
Special Segments General Topics
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| The Eastern Deciduous Forest is not a homogeneous collection of plant and animal species. Great differences in the species of the ecosystem occur from place to place within the forest. Some of these differences are the result of local differences in climate and soil types and some are the result of general large scale differences in the climate of the Eastern Deciduous Forest. There are two major trends in climate affecting the composition of the forest; temperatures are warmer in the south and cooler in the north, and precipitation is higher in the east and lower as you go westward. In addition as you go westward and northward the unevenness of precipitation through the year increases. Examine the the graph at the top and compare it to the two graphs below. These locations are shown on the map on the right above. As you move from Iron Mountain, Michigan (in the north and west) southward through Indiana to North Carolina, the following trends are clear. Average yearly temperature increases as does total precipitation. In addition the level of precipitation is more and more even throughout the year. | |
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How do these large scale geographic changes in overall climate affect the plant and animal species making up the forest? To find out visit the page |
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