European Climate and Biomes: Temperature, Precipitation, and Vegetation
Climate of Europe: Determinants
Climate varieties result from modifying factors acting on temperature and precipitation.
Temperature Influence
Marine Action: Oceans affect coastal temperatures due to differences in heat absorption/radiation. Coastal areas have uniform temperatures, while inland areas have greater seasonal variations.
Latitude: Temperatures decrease towards the poles as solar rays impact Earth obliquely.
Altitude: Temperatures decrease with altitude, creating varied mountain climates.
Precipitation Influence
Relief Disposition: Mountains near oceans experience high rainfall as moist winds cool and condense.
Wind Direction: In Europe, precipitation decreases from west to east. Atlantic air masses lose moisture inland. In winter, low temperatures and high pressure reduce Atlantic moisture entry in the north, while southern Europe sees increased rainfall.
Types of Climate
Cold Weather
Found in northern Europe and high mountains, with four varieties:
Nival and Tundra Biome
Average annual temperature barely above 0°C. Long, cold winters; brief summers below 10°C. Low rainfall, sparse vegetation due to permafrost. Fauna includes migratory birds, deer, hares, musk oxen, and predators like foxes and wolves.
Continental and Coniferous Forest Biome
Average annual temperature around 2°C, with large temperature ranges (-15°C to 20°C). Rainfall under 500mm, mostly in summer. Dominated by conifers (taiga), with some birch, willows, and poplars. Fauna includes moose, caribou, squirrels, beavers, grouse, and predators like lynx, otters, weasels, wolves, and bears.
Antarctic Cold Biomes (Tundra and Coniferous Forest)
Average annual temperature around 5°C. Summer temperatures below 13°C, winter around 0°C. Rainfall can exceed 1000mm. Tundra in northern Iceland, birch woods in the south due to the Gulf Stream. Norwegian coniferous forests have less fauna.
Hot and High Mountain Biome
Temperature decreases with altitude, creating varied vegetation zones (deciduous forests, coniferous forests, grasslands, tundra). Slopes facing the Atlantic have denser vegetation. Fauna includes herbivores like rodents, deer, and mountain goats; predators are scarce.
Temperate Climate
Occupies central and southern Europe, with four varieties:
Temperate Oceanic and Deciduous Forest Biome and Meadow
Mean annual temperature around 10°C, mild winters (6°C), cool summers (15°C). Moderate rainfall (800-1500mm). Deciduous forests (oaks, beeches, poplars) lose leaves in autumn/winter. Meadows are altered by agriculture. Fauna includes deer, wild boars, squirrels, rodents, and predators like bears, bobcats, weasels, wolves, and eagles.
Temperate Transitional Biome and Deciduous Forest, Prairie, and Steppe
Less maritime influence, greater temperature variations. Rainfall (500-600mm) mostly in summer. Biome includes deciduous forests, meadows, and steppes. Meadows are grassy; steppes have coarse grasses and shrubs. Herbivores are runners.
Continental Temperate and Steppe Biome
Average annual temperature below 10°C, warm summers (over 20°C), cold winters (-10°C). Rainfall around 500mm, decreasing eastwards. Deciduous forests in the west, steppes in the southeast. Steppes are modified by agriculture; grasses and herbs bloom in spring. Fauna includes hares, antelopes, deer, moles, ferrets, foxes, wolves, lynx, and birds of prey.
Temperate and Mediterranean Scrub Biome
Warm temperate climate with hot, dry summers and mild winters (around 6°C), with winter rainfall. The biome is altered by human settlement. Plants are adapted to drought; shrubs have small, waxy leaves. Forests include pine, oak, cedar, and cork oak. Aromatic herbs are common. Fauna includes rabbits, deer, dormice, foxes, and raptors; larger animals are mostly extinct.