Trade Winds (Passatwinde): Steady, persistent winds blowing from the subtropical high-pressure zones towards the equator, driving the global circulation pattern responsible for tropical and subtropical climates.
Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITC): The region near the equator where trade winds from both hemispheres meet, causing rising air and frequent rainfall; its seasonal shift influences rainfall patterns and savanna types.
Hadley Cell: A large-scale atmospheric circulation pattern where warm air rises at the ITC, moves poleward at high altitude, descends in the subtropics forming dry zones, and then returns equatorward as trade winds.
Wendekreiswüsten (Tropic deserts): Deserts located under the descending dry air of the Hadley Cell in the subtropics, characterized by arid conditions due to dry, descending air.
Savanna types influenced by ITC shifts: Different savanna landscapes that develop depending on the seasonal movement of the ITC, affecting rainfall distribution and vegetation.
1. How does the Passat circulation differ from the climate zones it influences?
2. Which desert type is characterized by extensive sand dunes and loose, fine sand surfaces?
3. What is a key consequence of the different types of oases on their surrounding environment?
Passat circulation — role?
Drives tropical/subtropical climate patterns.
Desert types — main features?
Sand (erg), gravel (reg), rock (hamada).
Oasis layers — concept?
Vertical vegetation structure (Stockwerkbau).
Salinization — cause?
Improper irrigation leading to salt buildup.
Desert flora adaptations?
Water conservation, drought tolerance.
Trade winds — origin?
From subtropical high-pressure zones.
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