Polar and tropical, continental and maritime air masses.
Temperature and humidity characteristics of these air masses.
Influences on temperature, pressure and rainfall. Only relief and frontal rainfall
processes are required.
Typical temperature and rainfall characteristics, together with
associated cloud cover and wind characteristics.
Recognition of anticyclones and depressions, and description of the characteristic
weather associated with them. A key will be provided with anysynoptic
chart used in the examination, although students will be expected to recognise
the three main types of front: warm, cold and occluded.
4.2 Average long term weather patterns lead to distinct climatic
types
Characteristics of west European maritime climates and east European
continental interior climates, and contrasts between them.
How these factors have influenced the characteristics identified (eg,
influences on temperature range and rainfall totals/seasonality). The
influence of latitude on climates of this region.
4.3 Distinct forest communities develop in particular conditions. Forests
are sensitive and their balance is easily upset by human interference
The global distribution of tropical rainforests, temperate deciduous and
temperate coniferous forests (taiga).
The ways in which trees in tropical rainforests and taiga have adapted
to the natural environment.
A study of a tropical rainforest system to show the ideas of
conservation, exploitation and sustainable development, and the roles of
different interest groups and the conflicts between them.
The meanings of the terms listed in the content. The case study should
cover the ideas of conservation, exploitation and sustainability, and look at
the different groups involved (Papua
New Guinea case study).
