Temperate Zone

Mediterranean Climate

The Mediterranean region is found in the countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea like Central California, Central Chile, Cape Province, South Western and Western Australia. It extends between latitudes 30° and 45° North and 30° and 40° South of the equator. The seasons experienced in this region are hot dry summer and mild wet winter. The average temperature varies from 20°C to 26°C in summer and 5°C to 15°C in winter. The rainfall is moderate, of about 65 cm to 70 cm annually. The Westerlies winds blow from sea to land in this region and bring rainfall.

The vegetation in this region is not luxuriant because of moderate rainfalls. The trees have hardwood, spongy barks, thick leathery leaves and long roots. Most common trees are oak, walnut, almond, chestnut, fig, etc. Shrubs like myrtle, lavender and rosemary are also found in this region.

The wildlife is less and limited in this region. Native animals include deer, rabbits and numerous small rodents.

 Birds tend to have short wings and long tails to make it easier to fly.

Temperate Grassland Climate

 The temperate grassland climate can be found between the Rocky Mountains in the west to the Great Lakes Region in the east in North America, Uruguay and Argentina in South America, between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea in the west to Lake Balkhash and parts of North China in the East. It also extends between the Drakensberg Mountain and the Namibian Desert in South Africa and Murray-Darling basin of Australia.

The temperate grassland climate extends between 45° and 60° North and 30° and 40° South of the equator. It is also known as a continental type of climate. The climate is extreme with very cold winters and fairly hot summers. In summer, the temperature rises up to 24°C, and lowers in winter to about 0°C. There is moderate rainfall of 25 cm to 65 cm in the early summer season. The winter precipitation is in the form of snow.

There is not sufficient rainfall for trees to grow, so the vegetation is less as compared to other regions. Trees like willow and poplar are most commonly found. Short grasses grow everywhere. In places with rainfall more than 50cm, rich carpet of grass suitable for cattle rearing can be found. And where less that 50 cm of rain falls, stiff grass suitable for only sheep and goats can be found.

Wildlife is comprised of animals which are found underground. Rodents like prairies dogs, hamsters, moles are found. Birds like ostrich, rhea, emu, etc. are not good fliers but have strong, powerful legs to outrun predators. Antelopes, donkeys, horses, wolves, in Eurasia, bison, rabbits, prairies dogs in North America, kangaroo and dingo dogs in Australia are found.

Temperate Oceanic Climate

The temperate oceanic climate can be found in St. Lawrence basin in North America, northern China, Manchuria, Korea and northern Japan. This climate does not occur in the Southern Hemisphere. It can be found between 45°N and 60°N latitude and 40°S and 50°S in the eastern part of the continents of North America and Asia. The temperature in the winter ranges from 9°C to 7°C, and in the summer from 15°C to 24°C. In the summer, rainfall occurs in the north-east Asia but not in North Korea and North Japan. The rainfall which is mainly cyclonic varies from 50 cm to 100 cm.

The natural vegetation here is mixed type of forest. At higher altitudes, coniferous forests are found. The main coniferous trees found there are spruce and pine. At lower altitudes, there are deciduous forests.

The wildlife consists of bears, foxes, beavers and squirrels.

Temperate Monsoon Climate

The temperate monsoon climate can be found in North and South China, Southern Japan and Korea, South East USA, South Brazil and North Argentina, south-east coastal region of Africa and New South Wales and Queensland of Australia. It can be found between 30° and 45° North and 30° and 40° South of the equator. The area experiences warm moist summer and cool dry winter. The summer temperature varies from 21°C to 27°C and the winter temperature varies from 5°C to 12°C. The rainfall varies from 75 cm to 125 cm and occasionally affected by hurricanes.

The areas with high summer temperature and heavy rainfall favor luxuriant evergreen vegetations. Deciduous type of forest is found in places with moderate rainfall and temperature. Pines and cypress are found in highlands and mountains. The area is well suited for grass, ferns, bamboos and palms. Mulberry trees thrive best in the region.

The region is densely populated with different types of animals. Many types of birds and animals thrive in mountains and swamps with unique adaption suited for seasonal life. The bald eagle, nightingale, cardinals and hawks are some of the birds. Most common animals are squirrels, bear, beavers, foxes, deer, rats, snake and wolves.