Case Study → Water Budget and Availability Influenced by Climate Type: Tropical, Temperate or Polar (Edexcel A-Level Geography): Revision Notes

Case Study → Water Budget and Availability Influenced by Climate Type: Tropical, Temperate or Polar Examples

Tropical Climate - Brazil (Amazon)	● Winter: November to January ○ Recharge occurs during this time as precipitation is higher than evapotranspiration ○ Highest rainfall month: February ○ The soil moisture surplus lasts till May ● Evapotranspiration levels remain similar all year (100-150mm) ○ This is because the average temp remains around 25°C year round ● Rainfall lower May to November ○ Higher evapotranspiration than precipitation so there is a soil moisture deficit by October
Temperate Climate - Southern UK	● Precipitation relatively constant throughout the year (50mm/month) ○ Tends to decrease slightly between May and August (Summer) ● Evapotranspiration exhibits large variations ○ July = 70mm ○ December = 5mm ● Soil moisture deficit tends to occur in July and August as plants have used up the winter surplus
Polar Climate - North Canada	● Precipitation remains low year round ○ July & August is maximum (24mm) ● Evapotranspiration tends to occur only between May and September due to a slight rise in temperatures ○ Peak is July = 126mm ● Soil moisture recharge primarily occurs between September and May • mainly due to snowmelt ○ Surplus at the start of summer but a deficit tends to be reached by August

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