✅

subtopics

✅
- definition

✅
- types

✅
- characteristics

✅
- soil factors

✅
- significance
- benefits
- influence of climate to crop selection what kind of crops, is it acidic or basic) 5 crops and
how they adapted
- farming techniques sa temperate and tropical
- irrigation methods
- mechanization strategies
- sustainability issues

CHARACTERISTICS
The temperate climate has moderate to high rainfall and high variations in temperature over
the four seasons. The humid summers range from warm/hot to mild/cool. There is little
rainfall during this time, though thunderstorms and tornadoes can occur. The cold, wet
winter, on the other hand, usually has snow and strong winds.

This region typically exists in central regions of landmasses, like the American Midwest. It
covers most of Europe, northern Asia and southern South America. Most plant life includes
oak, maple, elm and willow trees, and the animals include bear, birds, deer, rabbits and
squirrels.

Temperate climate zones, also known as cold or continental climates, are characterized by
moderate to high rainfall and significant temperature fluctuations throughout the four
seasons. Summers can vary from warm or hot to mild or cool, with minimal rainfall, although
thunderstorms and tornadoes may occur. Winters are cold and wet, often accompanied by
snow and strong winds. This climate typically exists in the central regions of landmasses,
such as the American Midwest, and covers much of Europe, northern Asia, and southern
South America. Common plant species in these areas include oak, maple, elm, and willow
trees, while typical animals include bears, birds, deer, rabbits, and squirrels.(Allan, 2020)

According to the National Geographic Organization (n.d.), the tropical climate group includes
three types: tropical wet, tropical monsoon, and tropical wet and dry. These regions
experience three distinct seasons. One season is cool and dry when the warm, moist
Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) is in the opposite hemisphere, another is hot and dry
as the ITCZ approaches, and the third is hot and wet when the ITCZ arrives, bringing tropical
wet conditions. The life in these tropical wet and dry areas depends largely on the rainfall
during the wet season. When rains are scarce, both humans and animals suffer from
droughts, while excessive rainfall can cause flooding. Examples of such regions include
Havana, Cuba; Kolkata, India; and Africa’s Serengeti Plain.
___________________________________
A tropical climate I a non-arid climate and in this climate all twelve months have a
temperature of warmer than 18° centigrade or 64° F. However, there are only two seasons in
the tropical climates: a wet season and on the other hand a dry season.

The tropical rainforest climates basically occur close to the equator, near about 10 or 15
degrees north and south latitude of the equator.

The doldrums of the intertropical convergence zone dominates this climate, and the area of
calm winds, sinking air and frequently occurring rainfalls.

Along with this, the seasonal rainfalls are heavy, equal to or more than 200 cm that is 80
inches annually. There is either no dry season or a maximum of two dry months.

The average precipitation of at least 60 mm (2.4 inches) occurs during the total 12 months.

Tropical Monsoon Climate

This type of climate occurs because of the monsoon winds which changes its direction
according to the seasons. In this kind of tropical climate, there is a short and distinct dry
season.

Therefore, this one comes under the influence of intertropical convergence zone at the time
of high sun basically in summers, and under the influence of drier trade winds at the time of
low sun i.e. basically in the winters.

https://www.toppr.com/guides/science/nature/ecosystem/tropical-climate/
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Temperate climate zones are also called cold or continental climate regions.

The temperate climate has moderate to high rainfall and high variations in temperature over
the four seasons. The humid summers range from warm/hot to mild/cool. There is little
rainfall during this time, though thunderstorms and tornadoes can occur. The cold, wet
winter, on the other hand, usually has snow and strong winds.

This region typically exists in central regions of landmasses, like the American Midwest. It
covers most of Europe, northern Asia and southern South America. Most plant life includes
oak, maple, elm and willow trees, and the animals include bear, birds, deer, rabbits and
squirrels.

There are five subcategories under temperate climates, making it the most diverse group:
humid continental, humid subtropical, subarctic, Mediterranean and Marine West Coast.

Temperate Climate Subcategories

First is humid continental, also called wet or warm summer. This region has a variety of
temperatures and precipitation, causing four distinct seasons: warm, humid summers; cool,
dry autumns; cold winters; and warm, wet springs. Lots of plants (evergreen and deciduous
trees, grasses, shrubs) exist here, along with bears, birds, coyotes, deer, small mammals
and wolves.
Second is humid subtropical; think of the southeast U.S. It has two seasons: long, hot, humid
summers and short, mild to cold winters. Precipitation is between 30 and 65 inches, and the
average temperature is 70 degrees. Humid subtropical often has hurricanes and tornadoes.
Plantlife includes palm trees, ferns, bushes and shrubs, and animals include alligators, deer
and panthers.
Next is subarctic, also called boreal or taiga. This region exists in Russia or Canada. The
subarctic climate has short, warm summers with little rain and long, cold winters. Snow
exists for most of the year, and temperatures get below freezing. Plants include evergreen
trees, ferns, grasses and shrubs. Animals include bears, bobcats, caribou, eagles, moose,
mosquitoes and wolves.
Fourth is Mediterranean, named after the Mediterranean Sea. This drier climate has long,
warm summers and short, mild, rainy winters. This climate exists in southern South America,
Spain, Australia and southern California. Plants include shrubs, grasses, herbs and pine,
cypress, oak and fruit trees, as well as grape, fig and olive vines. Animals include geckos,
goats, hawks, jackals, rabbits, rodents, sheep and snakes.
The final subcategory is Marine West Coast, which exists in Canada and western Europe.
The milder climate region is usually foggy, cloudy and damp. It has short summers and long,
wet, cool winters. Plants include evergreen trees (cedar, pine, redwood and spruce), as well
as ferns and grasses. Animals include bears, penguins and small mammals.

Tropical Climate
The final major type of climate group is tropical, which is hot and humid. It has high
temperatures that are above 64 degrees year-round. It also has high amounts of rainfall –
over 60 inches of precipitation occurs annually.

This region has the greatest plant and animal diversity in the world. Plants get 12 hours of
daylight and include hundreds of different tree species. Animals include birds, insects and
small mammals.

Tropical climates exist near the equator in South America, African jungles and Southeast
Asia.

The tropical region has three subcategories: tropical wet, tropical wet and dry and tropical
monsoon.

Tropical wet is hot, wet and muggy year-round. It receives direct sunlight throughout the
year, meaning it has only one season. This region has rainfall almost every day, and the
average temperature is 80 degrees. Most tropical wet regions include rainforests. Tropical
wet exists in Central and South America, Africa, Southwest Asia, Hawaii, Malaysia, Brazil,
Indonesia and the Philippines.
Tropical wet and dry, or savanna, has two seasons: wet and dry. The wet season (summer)
has an average of 77 degrees and 25 inches of rain. The dry season (winter) has an
average of 68 degrees and less than four inches of rain. Plants include grasses and shrubs,
and animals include birds, cheetahs, elephants, gazelles, giraffes, hyenas, lions, wildebeests
and zebras. Savannas exist in Africa, Brazil, India and the Serengeti Plain.

The third subcategory is tropical monsoon. This also has two seasons (wet and dry) that
coincides with its wind system, which reverses every six months. During the summer, the
wind flows from the sea to the land and brings lots of rainfall. During the winter, it flows from
the land to the sea. This region exists in southern Asia and West Africa.

https://allanspetcenter.com/the-different-types-of-climate-in-the-world/#:~:text=There%20are
%20five%20subcategories%20under,Mediterranean%20and%20Marine%20West%20Coast.
___________________________________
___________________________________
CHARACTERISTICS

Temperate Regions
1) Tropical Regions are found around the equator, it’s a region which has warm climate and
little seasonal change; due to this reason the region is known as “hot” or “humid”; Tropical
Regions have high temperature throughout the year with little seasonal change.

2) Temperate Regions are found between the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, they
experience extreme changes in temperature with cold winters and warm summers; due to
this reason they are known as “mild” or “changing” seasons.

3) Tropical regions are humid all year round, while Temperate Regions experience winter
and summer seasons.

4) Tropical regions get more rainfall than Temperate Regions because of its tropical climate
and thick vegetation cover.

5) Tropical Regions have tropical forests, whereas Temperate Regions have mostly
grasslands and forests.

6) Tropical regions have most of the Earth’s area and resources in them, but Temperate
Region has more people because it is the best place for growing crops.

7) Because of its cold winters, Temperate Regions are popular ski areas and resorts.

8) Tropical regions’ climate is warm, the mean annual temperature is around 23c-28c or 73
f-82f.

9) Temperate regions are cold in the winter months from December to February and have
cool summers from June to September; temperatures reach as low as -15c or 5f and as high
as 20c or 68f.
10) Temperate rain forests don’t exist in Tropical Regions, it’s mostly grasslands and forests
there which provide a unique ecosystem.

https://unacademy.com/content/upsc/difference-between/tropical-and-temperate-regions/
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Characteristics: High temperatures throughout the year, typically with little
variation. High humidity, often with distinct wet and dry seasons.
Geographical Distribution: Found near the equator, including regions of
Central and South America, Africa, Southeast Asia, and northern Australia.
2. Temperate Climate:
Characteristics: Moderate temperatures with four distinct seasons (spring,
summer, autumn, winter). Rainfall is relatively evenly distributed throughout
the year.
Geographical Distribution: Typically found in the mid-latitudes, such as
North America, Europe, and parts of Asia
https://fctemis.org/notes/5371_SECOND%20WEEK%20NOTE%20ON%20CLIMATE%20SS
%202.pdf
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Climatic variations are largely determined by
latitude and altitude. Tropical lowlands are warm
throughout the year with daily variation often
exceeding seasonal changes in temperature. There is
no winter in the tropical lowlands. Even at higher
altitudes, diurnal temperature variations are more
significant than seasonal changes (see chapter 9).
This contrasts with temperate mountains where
climate is markedly seasonal. Seasonality in the tropics is more strongly imparted through
variation
in rainfall rather than temperature. In temperate
areas rainfall is generally more uniformly spread
throughout the year, and temperature is the key
seasonal factor. Seasonal extremes in temperature
in the temperate zones of the northern hemisphere
are greater than those in the southern hemisphere
since the larger area of the southern oceans
moderates temperature extremes.
Surviving a temperate winter is a challenge to
many organisms and mechanisms to do this include
physiological and behavioural adaptations (losing leaves, sequestering food), hibernation or
a lifehistory that includes an over-wintering, dormant stage

In the wet, tropical lowlands, plant growth is more

uniform and trees tend not to exhibit the annual
growth rings found in their temperate counterparts.
Fruit production by tropical trees is less seasonal and
therefore specialist frugivores are more common in
the tropics. Leaves on tropical trees tend towards a
more uniform shape and are heavier than those on
trees in temperate areas. As tropical trees retain their
leaves for longer, it is worth investing resources in
them and to protect those resources from herbivores.
Trees in temperate regions produce thin leaves that
can be shed in the autumn with less loss of
resources.

In contrast with temperate regions, the most significant

climatic feature of the tropics at sea level is the absence
of a cold season. The mean annual temperature at sea
level usually exceeds 18 °C and seasonal fluctuations in
temperature and daily solar radiation are small
(Table 1.1). Consequently, seasonality in temperature
has less effect on biological activity in the tropics than it
has in temperate regions. At higher altitudes in the
tropics, diurnal temperature fluctuations can be
significant: high during the day and down to, or below,
freezing at night (see section 9.1).
Temperatures on the Earth’s surface follow daily and
seasonal cycles; daily because the Earth rotates on its
axis and seasonal because the Earth’s axis of rotation
is not at right angles to the line joining the Earth and
sun (Figure 1.3). If it were at right angles, the sun
would be overhead at the Equator every noon
throughout the year. As the Earth is tilted, the noon
position of the sun moves progressively north after 21
March (equinox) and at noon on 21 June (summer
solstice) it is directly overhead the Tropic of Cancer.
The sun then appears to move south, crossing the
Equator on 23 September (equinox) to be directly over
the Tropic of Capricorn at noon on 22 December
(winter solstice). The solstices are named after the
prevailing season in the northern hemisphere. After 22
December, the sun appears to move north again and is
directly over the Equator at noon on 21 March.
The tropics are hotter than temperate regions
because the sun’s rays strike almost at right angles
near the Equator,

SOIL FACTOR
The permanently moist climate type (Cf) coincides roughly with the (per)udic soil moisture
regime, the one with a dry summer (Cs) with the xeric soil moisture regime. Soil temperature
regimes are usually mesic and thermic, but areas of the warm temperate climate with a cool,
short summer (Cfc) may experience a frigid soil temperature regime.

Warm temperate climates have, either seasonally or permanently, an excess of rainfall. This
gives rise to chemical weathering and leaching, temporarily or all year around. Due to the
large fluctuation in temperature and the varying rainfall patterns, chemical weathering rates
will be variable as well. However, a net transport of substances, either in solution or as
colloids, from the upper parts of the soils to the lower parts or to the groundwater is the
common denominator in most of the soils in warm temperate climates.

Soil types of the warm temperate climates are dominantly Alfisols, Inceptisols, and
Spodosols (ST) or Luvisols, Cambisols, and Podzols (WRB). If dryness in the summer
season prevails (climate types Csa and Csb), also soils with accumulation of calcium
carbonate (Calcixerepts (ST) or Calcisols (WRB)), soils rich in sodium (Natrixeralfs (ST) or
Solonetzes (WRB)), and shrink–swell clays (Vertisols (ST and WRB)) occur. In parts with
high rainfall all year round, peat soils (Histosols (ST and WRB)) are found, together with
soils having a thick, acid, and humus-rich surface horizon (Dystrudepts (ST) or Umbrisols
(WRB)). Toward the boundary with cool temperate climates (D) Mollisols (ST) or
Chernozems (WRB) are encountered.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/temperate-climate
___________________________________
Sanchez and Buol (1975) summarized some of the differences and similarities between soils
and their forming factors in tropical and temperate regions. Aside from the lack of a
difference between summer and winter temperatures, the range of conditions under which
soils are formed is as diverse in the tropics as in the temperate regions. Similar rock types
occur, and also erosional and depositional patterns are similar. In both tropical and
temperate regions the time of soil formation may range from very recent on alluvial plains or
volcanic deposits to very old on stable geomorphic surfaces. Arid and humid as well as
warm and cold climates occur in both temperate and tropical regions. Nevertheless the
extent of certain soil types is very different. Pleistocene glaciation and wind erosion have
had a great impact on the soils in the temperate region, whereas many more soils in the
tropics have intensively weathered and are often derived from Precambrian parent materials.
Although the extent of recent volcanic ash deposits is greater in the tropics, there is a larger
proportion of relatively young soils in the temperate regions

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0065211302770168
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All Subjects Earth Science Soil Formation Question
How do tropical soils differ from temperate soils?
Flexi Says:
Tropical soils and temperate soils differ in several ways:

Nutrient Content: Tropical soils are often less fertile than temperate soils. This is because
heavy rainfall in tropical regions can leach nutrients out of the soil.
Organic Matter: Tropical soils often have less organic matter than temperate soils. This is
due to the rapid decomposition rate in the warm, moist tropical climate.
Soil Color: Tropical soils are often red or yellow due to the high iron and aluminum content,
while temperate soils are often brown or black due to the high organic matter content.
Soil Structure: Tropical soils often have a more compact structure, while temperate soils are
more likely to have a granular or crumb structure, which allows for better water infiltration
and root penetration.
https://www.ck12.org/flexi/earth-science/soil-formation/how-do-tropical-soils-differ-from-temp
erate-soils/#:~:text=This%20is%20because%20heavy%20rainfall,the%20warm%2C%20moi
st%20tropical%20climate.
___________________________________
Vegetation
Natural vegetational type in any region is closely related to climatic type.
For example it may be a dense tropical forest consisting of multifarious
species of plant, or it may consist of a few sparse grasses in arid regions. For
soil formation these differences are quite important, because the production
or organic matter may vary from almost nothing in a desert to several tons
per ha in a tropical forest. Organic matter governs various processes, in
particular the biological activity of soil.
Time
Some soils in the tropics are extremely old, devoid of bases and even
without weatherable minerals. Others are very young, with soil formation
hardly begun. In the humid tropics, where soil formation proceeds almost
continuously, soils can be altered in a short period; yet in arid regions, lack
of moisture slows down many soil processes, so that changes are hardly
detectable, even over several centuries.
Parent material
The soil parent material (Fr. roche mère; Ger. Muttergestein) is quite
different in the various regions. Often the material, that has undergone some
cycles of weathering and soil formation, is transported and deposited again,
forming a new but already entirely weathered parent material (Fr. roche fille).
An extreme type of parent material is formed by fresh pyroclastic material
produced by active volcanoes. Fresh volcanic ash may be transported in the
wind over huge distances (thousands of kilometres), rejuvenating old soils
on which they are deposited.

Internal soil conditions

The differences of tropical and subtropical soils from temperate soils can
almost all be ascribed to the special nature of soil-forming factors, chiefly
soil climate and soil biology.
The soil climate or pedoclimate in the humid and wet tropics encourages
rapid soil formation. The water that penetrates and percolates soils is always
warm (24°-25°C), on average over 15°C warmer than in Central or Northern
Europe. The soil is much warmer too. Results are:
a. Ionization of water is four times as high as at 10°C
b. Silica is eight times as soluble
c. Solution proceeds much quicker
d. Less CO2 penetrates the soil
e. The hydrolytic power of the solution is much higher
f. Soil water is less viscous
g. More water penetrates deeper in the soil.
These effects, are important, because they indicate soil-forming processes
and differences in soil characteristics and properties from those in temperate
regions. This is the most important reason why a special branch of soil
science has developed for the study of tropical soils: tropical soil science (Fr.
sols tropicaux, science des sols tropicaux; Ger. tropische Böden, tropische
Bodenkunde; Du. tropische gronden, tropische bodemkunde).

Another important fact about climate is that the total amount of water that
penetrates soil is less than total precipitation, because of surface run-off and
considerable evaporation from the leaves of plants and from soil. Even in
flat regions of the tropics effective rainfall is often less than three-quarters of
the precipitation.
In arid regions total precipitation is very limited and falls in a few months.
Many soils have a thin surface crust or surface seal, and almost no vegetation.
There too, effective rainfall is much less than total precipitation. Much of the
water that penetrates at all into the upper layer evaporates rapidly; the
subsoil, being continuously dry, is called the 'dead horizon' (Fr. horizon mort
de sécheresse). In semi-arid regions there is a similar effect but less
pronounced.
In the subhumid regions wet and dry seasons alternate. The total monthly
precipitation in 'dry' months in such areas is less than 60 mm. The length of
the dry season in the tropics is important. Soil formation takes place only
during seasons when the soil is moist, so that pedogenetic processes are
normally discontinuous.
Biological processes in the soil depend mainly on the contents of organic
matter and moisture, and on soil temperature. The most intense biological
activity is in warm and moist soils of the humid tropics. The vegetation
produces much organic matter but is rapidly decomposed. Mineralization of
organic matter is most important. Under natural tropical forest, percentage
organic matter is almost constant in the soil. In wet equatorial regions,
where organic production is often maximum, mineralization is also important.
But temporary wet conditions slightly delay decomposition of organic matter;
there is some humification too and some humic acids may percolate quickly
through the soil, causing some podzolization.
In bush savanna, biological activity is rathe
https://edepot.wur.nl/214911
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SIGNIFICANCE AND BENEFITS
Significance of Tropical Region
Tropical regions are best suited for growing crops and beverages such as tea and
coffee
. These regions help the plants to grow better in hot and humid climates.
Tropical regions are the major source for factories to run and produce electricity.
Coal, oil, natural gas, etc. can be formed by decaying plant and animal waste in swamps or
peat bags that have buried millions of years ago.
Tropical regions help in absorbing carbon dioxide CO2 which causes the greenhouse effect.
Large amounts of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere trap heat and leads to global warming.
Benefits of Tropical Regions
Tropical areas help maintain and balance
ecosystems
. This is underpinned by environmental conditions that are more conducive to species
diversity than anywhere else in the world.
The Tropical Rainforests surrounding the tropical regions are a source of food for humans.
These regions are suited for growing different types of crops such as tea, coffee, cocoa,
citrus fruits, etc. as they have abundant land and other resources.
They are rich in natural resources such as oil, coal, and natural gas. These regions have
fertile soil and also help to produce ethanol from sugarcane.
Tropical Regions have the honor of being known as the most prosperous and rich areas of
the world.

https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/what-is-the-difference-between-temperate-and-tropical-regio
ns/
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Significance of Temperate climate
Temperate climate in South Asia describes a weather pattern that is neither too hot nor too
cold, characterized by moderate and mild conditions. This climate contributes significantly to
agricultural productivity and the comfort of residents, particularly in areas like Parvata.
Science also defines a temperate climate as one that supports a variety of plant species,
including those traditionally used in medicine, highlighting its ecological and cultural
importance.

https://www.wisdomlib.org/concept/temperate-climate
__________________________________
Ecological Importance
Temperate zones are ecological powerhouses. Major agricultural belts, such as the
American Midwest, the European Plain, and parts of China, lie within these areas, playing a
pivotal role in global food production. Additionally, the temperate ecosystems, encompassing
forests, grasslands, and wetlands, are biodiversity hotspots. They significantly influence
global climate patterns by affecting ocean currents and air circulations.

Forests of the temperate region are unsung heroes in the fight against climate change,
absorbing vast amounts of atmospheric carbon dioxide. Furthermore, the region’s wetlands
not only serve as freshwater reservoirs but also act as natural water purifiers. The temperate
zone’s unique biodiversity makes its preservation crucial for maintaining the ecological
balance of our planet.

Human Health and the Temperate Climate

The temperate region’s environment directly impacts human health. With escalating air
pollution levels, respiratory and cardiovascular ailments, along with cancer risks, are on the
rise. Moreover, this region witnesses a high prevalence of pests like ticks and mosquitoes,
notorious for transmitting diseases. Protecting this region becomes paramount not just for
ecological reasons but also for human health reasons.

https://medium.com/@ecochatters/unveiling-the-beauty-and-significance-of-temperate-regio
ns-a88798cdb4da
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BENEFITS
Most of the world’s food is produced in temperate zones. The Global Food Security
programme’s Evangelia Kougioumoutzi reports on the TempAg Network.

Agricultural production in temperate regions is highly productive with a significant proportion

of global output originating from temperate (i.e. non-tropical) countries – 21% of global meat
production and 20% of global cereal production originates from Europe alone. This
proportion is very likely to increase (PDF) in light of climate change.

TempAg is an international research collaboration network established to increase the

impact of agricultural research and inform policy making in the world’s temperate regions.

Its work does not solely focus on research, but also provides insights into current thinking
through mapping existing scientific findings and outstanding knowledge gaps. In this way,
the network aspires to become a platform for alignment of national agricultural research and
food partnership programmes (like GFS) that will enable development of more effective
agricultural policies with a long-term vision.

To tackle sustainability in temperate agriculture, there is a need to better manage risks and
stresses (both biotic & abiotic) as well as finding ways to manage the restoration of natural
capital, ecosystem services and soils. During the workshop, it was noted that utilising the
diversity within different agricultural systems, via identifying the best practise and using the
appropriate technological mix may be a way forward in making production systems more
sustainable.

Participants stressed the importance of taking a holistic view of the sustainability agenda
within agriculture, without just focusing on environmental aspects. This means also taking
into consideration socio-economic factors – such as making food value chains (like turning
milk into cheese) – more equitable by identifying who gets the equity from the food
commodities’ prices, or identifying what the optimum legal framework for sharing data might
be

https://www.foodsecurity.ac.uk/blog/temperate-matters-in-agriculture/
___________________________________

Regions with temperate climates often enjoy rich soil conditions due to seasonal changes
that promote nutrient cycling. As a result, these areas are often ideal for a variety of crops
including grains, fruits, vegetables, and forage.

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Home › News
By Staff Writer Last Updated November 04, 2024
The Impact of Temperate Climate on Agriculture: What You Need to Know
Temperate climates, characterized by moderate temperatures and distinct seasonal
changes, play a crucial role in shaping agricultural practices and crop productivity around the
world. Understanding how these climates affect farming can empower farmers,
policymakers, and consumers alike to make informed decisions. In this article, we will
explore the impact of temperate climate on agriculture by examining its characteristics,
benefits for crop production, challenges faced by farmers, and future implications for
sustainable farming.

Characteristics of Temperate Climate

Temperate climates are typically found between the polar regions and the tropics. They are
defined by four distinct seasons: spring, summer, autumn (fall), and winter. This climatic
zone experiences moderate rainfall throughout the year with variations depending on
geographical location. The average annual temperature ranges from about 5°C to 20°C
(41°F to 68°F). Regions with temperate climates often enjoy rich soil conditions due to
seasonal changes that promote nutrient cycling. As a result, these areas are often ideal for a
variety of crops including grains, fruits, vegetables, and forage.

Benefits of Temperate Climate for Crop Production

One of the primary advantages of temperate climate is its potential for diverse agricultural
production. The marked seasons provide a natural rhythm that allows farmers to plant a wide
range of crops at different times throughout the year. For instance, spring planting can yield
summer crops like corn or soybeans while fall planting may produce winter wheat or cover
crops that enhance soil health during colder months. Furthermore, temperate zones tend to
have fewer extreme weather events compared to tropical regions; this stability can lead to
more predictable harvests which are vital for food security.

https://www.ask.com/news/impact-temperate-climate-agriculture-need-know#:~:text=One%2
0of%20the%20primary%20advantages,different%20times%20throughout%20the%20year.
________________________________
SIGNIFICANCE OF TROPICAL

The greatest diversity of plants and animals.

Biodiversity – the variety of life on Earth – includes every species of bacteria, virus, plant,
fungi, and animal, as well as the interactions between them and the ecosystems in which
they live. The tropics are the most diverse region on Earth, hosting about 80% of the planet’s
terrestrial species and over 95% of its corals and mangroves.

Diverse and healthy natural ecosystems provide benefits vital for life on Earth and human
well being and prosperity. People rely on biodiversity and ecosystem services for
sustenance, health, and enjoyment. Human communities derive all food and many
medicines and industrial products from wild and domesticated components of biological
diversity.

https://www.jcu.edu.au/state-of-the-tropics/why-do-the-tropics-matter#:~:text=The%20greate
st%20diversity%20of%20plants%20and%20animals&text=The%20tropics%20are%20the%2
0most,human%20well%20being%20and%20prosperity.
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BENEFITS OF TROPICAL

agricultural intensification rather than extensification. We strongly caution against the implicit
conclusion that food production might need to be concentrated in the temperate zone,
however. First, this has implications for food security. People vulnerable to food insecurity
live largely in low-income tropical countries and depend predominantly on local agriculture
both for food supplies and to provide the livelihoods that underpin food security (2). Second,
as the maps of West et al. (1) show, there is high variance in carbon losses and crop yields
in both tropical and temperate zones, suggesting that other factors have more importance
than latitude. We look forward to more detailed disaggregation through the application of the
authors’ high-resolution tool to assist local land use decisions, and we stress the importance
of food security in assessment of tradeoffs in agriculture and land use.
https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1019018108#:~:text=West%20et%20al.'s%20recent,
in%20agriculture%20and%20land%20use.
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BENEFITS OF TROPICAL

Forests are ideally suited to the humid tropics with roots able to tap dissolved minerals below
the surface soil layer (Ellis
and Mellor, 1995).
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