Tropical marine climate

A tropical marine climate is usually experienced by islands and coastal areas 10° to 20° north or south of the equator. The ocean is the main influence in creating the tropical marine climate. There are two main seasons — the wet season and the dry season. The annual rainfall is 1000 to over 1500 mm. The temperature ranges from 25 °C to 35 °C. The trade winds blow all year round and are moist, as they have passed over warm seas.

The wet season of the tropical marine climate occurs during the period when the conditions of the atmosphere are not stable. At this time, the regions (10° to 20° north or south of the equator) experience tropical disturbances. Around this time islands like Trinidad and Tobago and Grenada are affected by the ITCZ (Intertropical Convergence Zone). Most rain falls between July and September.

The dry season occurs when the conditions in the atmosphere are stable. During the dry season there is less rainfall than in the wet season. Around this time the tropical marine regions is influenced by anti cyclones. There is little difference between the wet season, from November to April, and dry season, from May to October.

The ecosystems of the tropical marine climate have to adapt to the dry season. Plants during the dry season must conserve water/moisture. However the extent of the adaptation depends much on the annual rainfall.

Hygrophytic ecosystems occur when there is a short dry period with a few rain showers. The soil in this ecosystem holds adequate water for plant growth. Most of the tropical marine ecosystems are close to true rain forests.

The mesophytic ecosystem is also known as a semi-evergreen forest. It is found where there is a long dry season that has little rainfall. There is less vegetation than in a rainforest and the layer structure is simpler. There are only two tree stories; trees shed their leaves or have very small leaves. This provides the plants a way to conserve moisture.

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Wikipedia