What you'll learn
How weather is measured and how climate shapes ecosystems.
Measuring weather
- Instruments: thermometer, rain gauge, barometer, anemometer, wind vane, hygrometer — often in a Stevenson screen.
- Rainfall types: relief, convectional and frontal.
Climates and ecosystems
- Equatorial climate: hot and wet all year — supports tropical rainforest (layers, nutrient cycle, biodiversity, deforestation issues).
- Hot desert climate: hot days, cold nights, very low rainfall — desert ecosystem adaptations.
Exam tips
- Read climate graphs: describe temperature range and rainfall pattern with figures.
- Learn how plants/animals adapt to each climate.
Common mistakes
- Confusing the three rainfall types.
- Describing a climate graph without using data.