Have you ever been in a place with high and low temperatures, high humidity, and pronounced rainfall all year round? If yes, then you might have been in the equatorial area. The characteristics of equatorial climate present a fascinating and distinct climatic phenomenon found near the Earth's equator. These climatic conditions provide a unique environment for attractive vegetation and numerous plant and animal species.
What is equatorial climate? This is the wet and hot climate found around the equator. The amount of solar energy directly hitting the surface influences the environment. This climate has never had a dry season because of convectional rainfall. This climate is mostly found near big water bodies such as seas and oceans.
Characteristics of Equatorial climate
Equatorial climate is typically between 5 degrees north and 5 degrees south latitude around the equator. This environment is different from all the other climate types because of its closeness to the equator. Here are the characteristics of equatorial rainforest:
1. Abundant rainfall of 2000 mm on average
These areas are prone to plenty of rain because of various reasons. First, the area gets intense solar heating throughout the year because of its positioning. The sun is always striking the equator and its surrounding, leading to significant air warming.
Being that the regions are around the equator, they are prone to experience Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone. This is where trade winds converge and release moisture into the atmosphere leading to heavy rainfall.
In addition, the area experiences the presence of oceanic currents because of the numerous water bodies around it. These oceanic currents play a role in providing moisture to the equatorial atmosphere. The warm waters will rise and condense, leading to cloud formation and heavy rainfall.
2. High relative humidity
Equatorial climate countries experience high relative humidity of about 80%. These areas are close to the equator, so they experience high rains throughout the year due to evaporation. The constant cycle of evaporation, condensation, and precipitation sustains a high moisture content in the air, leading to relative humidity levels.
The other cause of high humidity is the vegetation around these areas. Rainforest vegetation provides a dense canopy that holds the moisture within. Therefore, the air remains within the forest ecosystem leading to a humid climate all-round the year.
3. High temperatures throughout the year
Equatorial climate is characterised by a large diurnal temperature range. These temperatures are influenced by the closeness to the ocean, the absence of cold air masses, and the angle of the sun's rays.
The sun strikes the equatorial region nearly perpendicular to the Earth's surface. This means a high concentration of solar energy in a small area, leading to these high temperatures.
Lastly, the equatorial region has smaller seasonal variations than the other climatic areas. This area experiences the amount of solar almost equally throughout the year.
4. It mainly receives convectional rainfall
Convectional rainfall comes due to the process of condensation. When the sun heats the Earth's surface, the air warms up and rises because it becomes less dense. As warmer air rises into the atmosphere, it encounters cooler air at higher altitudes. As it ascends, the air cools down.
Cooler air can hold less moisture than warm air, so as the rising air cools, water vapour condenses into tiny water droplets or ice crystals, forming clouds.
When the process of raising and cooling continues, the clouds become heavier and fall in the form of rainfall. There is all-around convectional rainfall because the sun's heating is intense and consistent throughout the year.
5. The area receives double maxima rainfall yearly
This means that equatorial rainfall receives two distinct periods of heavy rainfall yearly. These seasons come around April and October each year.
They are characterised by wet seasons interspersed with periods of drier weather. Nevertheless, the timing and intensity of the double maxima rainfall can vary depending on the location and local climate factors.
6. A diverse range of plants
The vegetation in the tropical rainforest is dense. Various foliage and other flora can be seen thriving in a relatively small rainforest area. The tropical forest contains more plant species than any other type of plant ecosystem. Four square kilometres of Amazon may include up to 750 tree species and 1500 blossoming plant types.
7. Absence of distinct dry season
This is because the equatorial climate experience rainfall all year round. Their dry season is characterised by little rain, particularly in the tropical regions.
The area is known as the tropical rain belt due to the convergence of trade winds that ensures no total dry seasons for these areas. The temperate counterpart to the tropical dry season is summer or winter.
8. The rainfall is accompanied by thunder and lightning
These conditions come due to strong convectional currents and warm and moist air that lead to the formation of cumulonimbus clouds.
The presence of these clouds is ideal conditions for thunderstorms and lightning. Since this leads to rainfall in the tropics, their rain is always thunderstorms and lightning.
What are the characteristics of equatorial vegetation?
Equatorial vegetation is very unique. Here are some of its characteristics:
1. A distinct layer arrangement
The area is characterised by a lush and dense canopy with multi-layered vegetation.
From above, the tropical rainforest appears as a dense canopy of greenery, broken only by big rivers or cleared for cultivation. All plants compete for sunshine upwards, resulting in an unusual layer pattern. The tallest trees can reach heights of more than 150 feet.
2. High biodiversity
This vegetation has a wide variety of plant and animal species. This is because the tropical rainforest hosts an extensive range of plant species. Some of the trees in this area are ebony, rosewood, greenheart, and mahogany trees. In addition, you will find numerous animal species making a home in these rainforests.
3. Evergreen trees
The trees in the tropical areas are evergreen. They always retain their leaves all year round hence maximising photosynthesis. In addition, you will find that most trees have buttress roots that help in stability. The forest floor is covered with a dark thick blanket of decaying leaves and roots. Below, the canopy is always cooler and shady.
4. High productivity and rapid growth rates
The vegetation here grows rapidly as compared to other climatic regions. This is due to the continuous rainfall and sunlight throughout the year.
5. Valuable medicinal and commercial plant species
Due to the variety of plant species, you can easily find medicinal plants in these areas. The tropical rainforest is characterised by valuable species that provide food, such as fruits and nuts. They also provide timber, while some are used for medicine.
Equatorial climate countries
Equatorial climate countries are nations that lie close to the Earth's equator and experience the unique characteristics of this tropical climate zone. Many areas in eastern Africa that experience the equatorial climate are along the coastal regions. Some of these countries include:
- Uganda around Kampala City.
- Kenya, around the coastal regions such as Malindi and Mombasa.
- Tanzania around Zanzibar, Tanga, and Dar es Salaam.
- Seychelles, almost the whole country, is in a tropical area.
- Malawi is around the northern and central parts of the country.
- Madagascar, in Antsiranana and Toamasina in Madagascar.
- Somalia, around Berbera and Bosaso, falls within the equatorial climate zone.
- Peru, the northern part of the country.
- Gabon, almost the whole country, experiences rainforest climatic changes.
- Congo, a big portion of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is within the tropical rainforests.
- Indonesia. This country is not part of East Africa but has an equatorial climate in several of its cities, such as Sumatra, Borneo, and Papua.
- Brazil, around the northern parts of Brazil, experiences a tropical climate.
Wrapping up
Characteristics of Equatorial climate are a combination of both high and low temperatures. The rain constantly falls throughout the year in these areas, creating evergreen vegetation with remarkable biodiversity. Most countries that experience this weather are Kenya, Uganda, and Gabon, among others.
Tuko.co.ke featured an exciting piece about the causes of climate change in Kenya and the world. Climate change has been a hot topic in recent years. Kenya has been slowly having desert-like conditions with the rising heat waves, affecting the agricultural lands.
Some major causes of climate change include the greenhouse effect and increased deforestation. However, all is not lost because these conditions can be turned around with the help of the Kenyan government. The government has to lead in implementing the measures to help turn around these conditions.
