By and large we mostly deal with temperate climate situations in our day-to-day in the Northern Rockies. The tops of the mountains can be boreal, so we can get fiercely cold, but the winters will always refute plants that are not to the proper hardiness.
The tropics are a unique and diverse region of the world that covers approximately 40% of the Earth’s surface. This region is defined as the area between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, which is located between 23.5 degrees north and south of the equator. The tropics are characterized by a warm and humid climate, with high levels of rainfall and a rich diversity of plant and animal life. In this article, we will explore the different climates and ecological biomes found in the tropics, as well as how people live in this region of the world.
Climate
The Earth’s climate is determined by a variety of factors, including latitude, air currents, and ocean currents. The Earth’s climate can be divided into several major categories, including the polar regions, the temperate regions, and the tropics. The polar regions are characterized by low temperatures and high winds, while the temperate regions have moderate temperatures and rainfall. The tropics are set apart from these other regions by their warm and humid climate.
The temperature in the tropics is relatively stable throughout the year, with an average temperature of around 27 degrees Celsius (80 degrees Fahrenheit). This is due to the fact that the tropics receive more direct sunlight than other regions of the world, which results in a more consistent temperature. The wind and air currents in the tropics are also unique, with the trade winds blowing from east to west and the easterly winds blowing from west to east. These winds help to distribute heat and moisture throughout the region, which is essential for the growth of plants and the survival of animals.
Ecological Biomes
The tropics are home to a wide variety of ecological biomes, each with its own unique characteristics and plant and animal life. The two primary ecological biomes found in the tropics are rainforests and deserts, although there are many other types of biomes found in this region as well.
Rainforests are one of the most well-known biomes found in the tropics. These forests are characterized by high levels of rainfall and a diverse range of plant and animal life. The Amazon rainforest in South America is the largest rainforest in the world and is home to thousands of different species of plants and animals. Other rainforests found in the tropics include the Congo rainforest in Africa and the Southeast Asian rainforest.
Tropical deserts are another type of biome found in the tropics. These deserts are characterized by low levels of rainfall and high temperatures, which can make them extremely inhospitable to plant and animal life. The Sahara desert in North Africa is the largest tropical desert in the world, covering an area of over 9 million square kilometers. Other tropical deserts found in the tropics include the Mojave Desert in North America and the Atacama Desert in South America.
Other ecological biomes found in the tropics include savannas, mangrove forests, and coral reefs. Savannas are characterized by a mix of grasses and trees and are found in areas with a wet and dry season. Mangrove forests are found along the coastlines of tropical regions and are important breeding grounds for fish and other marine life. Coral reefs are found in shallow waters and are home to a diverse range of marine species, including fish, sea turtles, and sharks.
People in the Tropics
The tropics are home to a large and diverse population of people, with over 3 billion people living in this region of the world. The way people live in the tropics varies depending on the country and culture, but there are some common themes that can be seen across the region.
One of the biggest challenges facing people in the tropics is the high levels of humidity and rainfall. Others might be the problems of modern social organizing that has people resources distributed in such a way that ecosystems are exploited and people are overcrowded in the wrong areas. There is also the fact that plants really enjoy dormancy periods and they dont get that the same way. Soil can be shallow as substantially more biomass is retained aboveground, sometimes mostly just the canopy. Such soil is very fragile when disturbed.
Regenerative agroecology can solve this, and much is done in the tropics. Ultimately, everywhere has its challenges and everywhere is blessed.