CHAPTER : 7

EQUATORIAL CLIMATE
ON YOUR MARKS………

Observe the given map and locate Equator. Identify at least four countries through which
the Equator passes. What is common among all these countries?
• Equatorial regions are found on both sides of the Equator.

• It falls in the Torrid heat zone of the Earth and experiences hot and wet climate.

• This is because the region gets direct sunrays throughout the year.

Activity

This picture shows the image of Amazon rainforest.

Find out the countries it covers

 You know what ?
CLIMATE Amazon rainforest absorbs a large
amount of carbon dioxide and produces
oxygen. That is why it is often called
the ‘Lungs of the Earth’
• The equatorial region has an extreme climate.

• It is home to both the world’s densest rainforests like the Amazon forest.

• The equatorial region is characterised by convectional rainfall.

• Convectional rainfalls are very heavy and frequent and are confined to a small area.

• It is often accompanied by thunderstorms and mainly occurs at around 4 o’clock in the

evening.
• This type of rainfall is heavy because the rate of evaporation and condensation in

the equatorial belt is higher than in other regions.

• In the equatorial region, average temperature is 30°C throughout the year.

• It records a small diurnal range of temperature.

• This region experiences equal length of day and night.

• It is because there is hardly any seasonal variation

 Distribution
• Equatorial region spreads across almost all the continents.
• It includes the Caribbean Islands in North America, and Brazil, Columbia and Ecuador in

South America.

• It also includes Liberia, Uganda, Kenya, Republic of the Congo and the Democratic Republic

of Congo in Africa.

• In Asia, it spreads over Malaysia, Maldives, Indonesia and Philippines.

• In India, it covers the peninsular regions and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
 Flora
• Equatorial forests comprise dense

rainforests.

• These are evergreen forests which are

marked by luxuriant growth of trees.

• The trees are so dense that very little

sunlight reaches the ground.

• They are known as rainforests

because they thrive on heavy rainfall.

• Equatorial forests have a four-tier layer of vegetation.

• The forest floor or the ground usually has decomposed leaves and fruits.

• The layer above it is known as the understorey.

• It comprises small trees, shrubs, creepers and vines.

• Above this layer is the umbrella-like layer called canopy.

• It consists of tall tress. The tallest trees form the topmost layer known as the emergent

Think about it !
layer. Why are the
rainforests so dense ?
• This layer receives lot of sunlight and rain.

• The forest appears evergreen because different types of trees shed their leaves in

different seasons.

• Ebony, mahogany and rosewood are some of the tree species found in these forests.
Fauna

• Equatorial forests have an exotic wildlife.

• The Amazon rainforest is the store house of the world’s

most amazing animal species like anaconda, glass Layered vegetation of an equatorial forest

frog, golden lion tamarin, amazon river dolphin and

iguana.
• The Congo Basin and forests of Southeast Asia are known for primate species like gorilla,
chimpanzee and orangutan.
• Many species of monkeys, like the howler monkey, squirrel monkey and baboons, also
inhabit these jungles. Birds like toucans, macaws, humming birds and parakeets reside in
this type of vegetation.
People
• Equatorial forests are very thick and remain largely inaccessible.

• They are mainly inhabited by natives or tribals.

• These include natives of the Amazon Basin, pygmies of the Congo Basin, Jarawas of the

Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Semangs of Malaysia, Kubus of Sumatra and Dayaks of Borneo.
• Many of these tribes lead a nomadic life.

• They live mainly by hunting.

• They also practise subsistence farming and shifting cultivation. In subsistence farming,

farmers cultivate just about enough to sustain themselves and their families.

• In shifting cultivation, farmers burn and clear a patch of forest land.

• They cultivate the soil till it loses its fertility.

• Then they shift to another area and continue the same practice.

• These groups also carry out livestock rearing and fishing to supplement their diet.
 • Rivers draining these forests offer inland navigation and fishing opportunities.

• Minerals like natural gas and petroleum are mined in the Amazon forests

• Copper and precious stones are mined in the Congo Basin.

N T
LE AR
r dsI
W o

• Thunderstorm: A storm with thunder, lightning and heavy rain

• Diurnal range of temperature: Difference between the daily maximum and minimum temperatures

• Canopy : Top layer of a tree in an equatorial rainforest

Get Set, Go!

A. Fill in the blanks

Diurnal
1. The difference between the temperatures of day and night is known as _____________.

2. Equatorial forests have a 4 tier vegetation.

3 pygmies live in the equatorial forests of the Congo Basin.

4. Tribals inhabiting the rainforests live a nomadic life.

B. Choose the correct answer.

1. Equatorial region falls in the __________ zone of the Earth.

a. Torrid b. Temperate c. Frigid d. Polar

2. The equatorial region is characterised by __________ rainfall.

b. Orographic b. Convectional c. Monsoon d. Retreating

3. Equatorial region comprise dense __________.

a. rainforests b. prairies c. grasslands d. agriculture

4. The forest canopy consists of __________.

a. Shrubs b. Forest floor c. Undergrowth d. Tall trees

C. Mark ‘T’ for true sentences and ‘F’ for false sentences

1. The Torrid Zone has an extreme climate.

2. Equatorial forests have a two-tier layer of vegetation.

3. Equatorial forests are densely populated.

4. Ebony, mahogany and rosewood are some tree species found in the rainforests.

5. Tribes in the equatorial region practise commercial farming.