Climate and Ecosystems

IGCSE Geography candidates should be able to
- Describe and explain the main characteristics of the climate in the regions listed in the Syllabus [tropical rain (evergreen) forest and tropical desert]: temperature - mean temperature of the hottest month, mean temperature of the coolest month, therefore the annual range; rainfall - the amount and seasonal distribution; other climate features - wind, cloud, humidity etc. Factors influencing these characteristics should be noted such as latitude, pressure systems and the winds to which they give rise, distance from the sea, altitude and ocean currents. Candidates should be familiar with climatic graphs showing the main characteristics of temperature and rainfall of the climates in the regions listed.

IGCSE Geography candidates should be able to
- Describe the characteristics and distribution of the two ecosystems listed in the Syllabus [tropical rain (evergreen) forest and tropical desert].
- Explain the relationship in each ecosystem of natural vegetation and climate.