Tropical wet climate

Tropical wet climate

Tropical wet climate is one of the five major climate groups of the koppen climate classification. A warm and humid climate exists between 5° to 10° north and south latitudes on both sides of the equator. It is known as a tropical wet climate.

This climate occurs along both sides of the equator, hence it is called equatorial climate. A manifestation of this climate is deep evergreen forests. This forest has developed due to temperature and rainfall. Because of the abundance of rainfall, this climate is called a tropical wet climate (1).

Characteristics

• The temperature remains almost the same throughout the year as the sun ray’s fall almost perpendicularly.
• In the tropical wet climate, the monthly average temperature is 24°C to 27°C.
• As the temperature drops during the night, fog and dew form in the morning.
• The annual temperature range in this climate zone is very low at 2°C to 4°C.
• Here the daily temperature variation is greater than the mean annual temperature variation. Daily temperature ranges from 5°C to 15°C.
• Due to the high temperature throughout the year, a permanent low-pressure ring has formed in this region.
• As the sun’s rays fall perpendicularly, the air is heated and creates convection currents.
• The northeast and southeast trade winds meet in this region to form the ITCZ or intertropical convergence zone.
• Almost the entire sky of this region is covered with cumulonimbus clouds throughout the year.
• Here, average annual rainfall is about 250 cm.
• The range of annual temperatures is not high, so there is no seasonal variation here. The warm and wet season prevails here.
• Afternoon weather becomes uncomfortable with high temperatures, and high relative humidity. (2).

Geographical distribution

Some countries located between 5° to 10° north and south latitudes on both sides of the equator are affected by this climate. These are

1. The Amazon basin is South America
2. Central America
3. The Congo-Zaire Basin in South Africa
4. The Southern part of Indonesia
5. Malaysia
6. Sri Lanka
7. And the Andaman-Nicobar Islands in India (1).

Special characteristics of flora and fauna with examples

Flora

Some plants are growing in this climatic region. These are-

• Rosewood, ironwood, Brazil nut, and rubber, in Amazon forests.
• Mahogany, palm, rubber, cocoa, and cinchona in the Congo basin.
• Sal, teak, ebony, rosewood, rubber, camphor, etc. grow in Southeast Asia.

Characteristics of flora

1. Dense forests of large-leaved evergreen trees have formed in this region in a warm and very humid climate.
2. As there is no specific dry season the trees do not shed their leaves at the same time.
3. The forest is always green. That is why it is called the equatorial evergreen forest.
4. This deep forest is also known as selva.
5. Different species of trees grow together everywhere in the forest.
6. Trees grow very densely.
7. Branches with large leaves join together to form a leaf sheath. As a result, sunlight cannot penetrate.
8. The wood of all these trees is hard.
9. Trees are very tall and erect to receive sunlight.
10. The forest floor is covered with thick vines (2).

Fauna

Animals found in this type of climate are morpho butterfly, Julia butterfly, anaconda, electric eel, piranha, macaw, hummingbird, African gray parrot, Congo pia flurry, sloth, oscillate, etc.

Various species of fauna can also be observed here. Like orangutans, colobinae monkey, tiger, fly fox in South Asia, antelope, chimpanzees, mandrill, hippopotamus, in West Africa, etc.

Characteristics

1. As plants grow faster in this climate, animals do not migrate elsewhere in search of food.
2. Different species of animals are seen here depending on the region. For example, the queen alexander boing butterfly, fiery blue bird, antelope, etc. are found in South Asia, and morpho butterfly, orangutans, etc. are found in South America.
3. Due to the presence of different species of animals in this climate zone, day and night activity can always be observed.
4. The animals of this region stay in the trees because of the lack of sunlight, damp floors, and very dense forest.
5. Some animals move on trees such as sloth, mandrill, chimpanzee, gorilla, etc.
6. There are some different types of birds seen here such as quetzal, macaw, hummingbird, etc.
7. About 100 species of animals can be noticed in this climate zone (2).

Q&A

1. What is tropical wet vs dry?

Tropical wet and dry climates have annual rainfall above 40 inches. But its dry season lasts more than 2 months. This climate is also known to have a larger annual temperature range than the other 2 tropical climates.

2. Do tropical wet climates have 2 or more seasons?

Seasons don’t change in tropical wet climates, so there is only one season in tropical wet climates.

3. What are the 4 types of climates?

Tropical climate, desert climate, temperate climate, and polar climate.

4. What are the requirements for a tropical moist climate?

• Intense sun rays
• Each month has an average temperature of at least 20°C.
• Heavy rainfall, at least 100 cm per year.

References

1. https://ncert.nic.in/ncerts/l/kegy212.pdf
2. Savindra Singh. Climatology. Pravalika Publications, Allahabad. Chapter 14: Climatic types and biomes. Page No: 293-338.
3. https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/Tropical_Climates/kDRKDwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Tropical+wet+climate+books&printsec=frontcover

Written By: Manisha Bharati