Climate Zones

FROM THE POLAR regions to the temperate zones to the tropics, there are different climate zones that create different habitats. Within the tropics, the temperate regions, and the polar areas, there are varying amounts of sunlight, water, temperatures, and soil conditions that are the product of proximity to large bodies of [Page 226]water, to lack of rainfall, and to the elevations in specific areas. Like the Alpine region of Europe, each of these regions is found in different climate zones.

Climate is the long-term weather pattern (for at least 30 years) in an area. The climate includes general patterns and extremes of drought, rains, storms, and freezing temperatures. Air temperature and precipitation are two of the most important factors affecting the climate of a region. The ...