Junior Cert Geography Climate PPT, Contains some past exam questions and some questions from the New Geo Workbook

1. Climate

2. Weather is the condition of temperature, precipitation, wind and
sunshine at any moment
Climate is the average weather over a long period of time
Ireland’s weather can change from day to day – however Ireland’s
climate is Cool Temperate Oceanic

3. Factors that influence climate
• Latitude – distance from the equator. Sunlight strikes the equator
directly – making it very hot there. The farther you are from the
equator, the cooler it gets.
• Ireland is approximately 55 degrees from the Equator – The Poles are
at 90 degrees.

4. Factors that influence climate
• Distance from the sea – the sea evens out the extremes in climate – it
makes winters milder and summers cooler. Places far from the sea
have hot summers and very cold winters.
• Ireland is surrounded by sea – this gives us warmer winters and
cooler summers than inland areas at the same latitude

5. Factors that influence climate
• Prevailing Wind and Ocean Currents – The winds that blow most
often over an area (prevailing) can be cool or warm and influence
climate.
• The prevailing wind over Ireland comes from the South West, bringing
milder temperatures and moisture.
• Ireland is kept warm by ocean currents from the South West.

6. Local Climates
• This refers to variations in climate within larger regional climates. For
example, Kilkenny is Ireland’s hottest area in summer. Why?

7. Aspect and Altitude
• Aspect – The direction a slope faces in relation to the sun’s rays. If a
slope is south facing it will get more sunlight.
• Altitude – height above sea level. The higher you go the colder it gets
(which is why mountaintops have snow on them)

10. Natural regions and climates
• A Natural Region = an area of the world that has its own unique
characteristics. These include:
• Climate
• Natural Vegetation
• Wildlife
• Human Activities
There are three basic
climate regions: Hot,
Temperate and Cold

13. Hot Climates
• Hot Climates are found close to the equator (between 30 degrees
North Latitude and 30 degrees South Latitude)
• The three types of hot climates are
• Desert
• Equatorial (also called tropical)
• Savanna

14. Equatorial/Tropical

15. Savanna

16. Desert

20. Vegetation and Animals in Deserts
Animals like the camel adapt to the heat by storing
fat in their humps, having thick eyelashes to protect
against dust and thick lips to eat prickly plants
Plants like the cactus have needles to protect
against animals, deep roots to find groundwater and
a thick, waxy bark to protect against the sun’s heat

22. Desertification – turning land into desert
• This affects areas close to deserts – such as the Sahel, a region close
to the Sahara desert
• Causes of Desertification
• Climate Change
• Overgrazing by farmers
• Deforestation and shrub removal

24. Results of Desertification
• Famine – people die from starvation
• Mass migration – people leave desertified areas in search of a better
life
• Loss of jobs in agriculture
• Loss of towns and villages to the desert

25. Solutions
• Plant trees – tree roots hold the soil together and stop it being blown
away
• Plant drought resistant grass
• Dig deep wells for water
• Farm with different animal species
• Tackle global warming

26. Temperate Climates
• Temperate = moderate climates, not too hot and not too cold
• Two Types:
• Warm Temperate Oceanic – also called Mediterranean climates. Hot
summers and mild winters
• Cool Temperate Oceanic – cool winters and mild summers. Ireland has this
climate.

27. Characteristics of Mediterranean Climate
• Vegetation – trees absorb moisture in the winter, have thick bark for
protection and are widely spaced. Herbs and heather dominate in
treeless areas.
• Landscape – changed by overgrazing and farming. Many crops are
grown to support the tourist industry.

32. Cold or “boreal” Climates
• Found in high latitudes in North America, Europe and Asia.
• Two types:
• Tundra – means “without trees” – close to the north pole
• Boreal – means “northern” – further south, cold but has trees and vegetation.

33. Boreal Climate
• Short, cool summers and long, cold winters
• Long days in summer – almost no daylight in winter!
• Little Precipitation – less than 400mm, mostly snow.
• Mostly coniferous trees as vegetation

36. Vegetation and Wildlife
• Coniferous (evergreen) trees with shallow roots to avoid permafrost
• Needle leaves to prevent moisture loss – cone shape to help snow
drop off
• Wildlife (such as bears) practice hibernation and are well insulated by
fur. Many migrate south in Winter

39. People in Boreal Regions
• Very few people live in Boreal Regions
• In times past many would be travelling herders – today many of them
live in urban areas
• Many work in Forestry and Mining – examples of _____________
economic activity.

42. 2012 Higher Level Question

43. 2014 Junior Cert (Higher Level)