Theory question 207
Climate(a) Describe the characteristics of the equatorial climate. (b) Highlight the main features of the vegetation type associated with the climatic region in 7(a) above.
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(a) High temperature all year (about 27°C); very small annual range (under 3°C); heavy rainfall over 2000 mm spread through the year with no real dry season; double maxima; convectional afternoon thunderstorms; high relative humidity (over 80%); much cloud; small daily range.
(b) Equatorial rain forest: dense, evergreen; tall trees in three layers forming a continuous canopy; many species mixed, no pure stands; hardwoods (mahogany, iroko, ebony, sapele); buttress roots; climbers, lianas and epiphytes; little undergrowth where the canopy is thick.
Give figures for temperature and rainfall.