How can Deserts and Forests be Neighbors?

NGSS Phenomena:
The northern part of Mexico is covered in deserts. Some areas are cold deserts, but most have the kind of hot, arid (dry) climate that you probably imagine when thinking of a desert. But near these deserts are humid areas, forested areas, and even rainforests. These maps model the patterns of climate and average temperature throughout Mexico.
NGSS Phenomena:
The maps below give different types of information about Mexico’s features and location, all of which work together to affect its climates. Mexico lies on the Tropic of Cancer, which is a line of latitude just 23 degrees north of the equator. It is bordered by large bodies of water on two sides and the United States to the north.
NGSS Phenomena:
The map below shows the direction of the major winds that blow through Mexico. The movement of wind and water both greatly influence the climate in a region.


NGSS Phenomena:
Use the data about Mexico’s features and location, and what you have learned about how wind, water, and landforms affect climate, to help you answer the following questions.

References:

Pineda-Martinez, L. F., & Carbajal, N. (2017, July). Climatic analysis linked to land vegetation cover of Mexico by applying multivariate statistical and clustering analysis. Atmosfera, 30(3), 233-242. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/318668846_Climatic_analysis_linked_to_land_vegetation_cover_of_Mexico_by_applying_multivariate_statistical_and_clustering_analysis


Rhoda, R., & Burton, T. (2010). Geo-Mexico; the geography and dynamics of modern Mexico. Sombrero Books. https://geo-mexico.com/?p=9512

1. Circle the areas of land where you’d expect to find the most living things, such as plants and animals.

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2. Explain why you circled the areas that you circled in the last question.

3. Use the map below to create a diagram that shows where you would expect to see the most rain and where the water would come from.

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4. Circle the parts of this map where you’d expect to find the lowest average temperatures.

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5. Circle the parts of the map where you’d expect to find the driest climates.

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6. Explain how your diagram shows where to expect the most rain and where the water would come from.

7. What connections can you draw between the areas of high elevation in the map and the areas of green in the satellite image?

8. What connections can you draw between elevation and average temperature?

9. What connections can you draw between:


1. Places with drier climates.

2. Other landforms, such as oceans and mountains.

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This drawing question aligns to the following standards

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  • ESS2.C: The Roles of Water in Earth’s Surface Processes

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This drawing question aligns to the following standards

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  • Developing and Using Models

  • ESS2.D: Weather and Climate

  • ESS2.C: The Roles of Water in Earth’s Surface Processes

This drawing question aligns to the following standards

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  • ESS2.D: Weather and Climate

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This drawing question aligns to the following standards

  • Developing and Using Models

  • ESS2.D: Weather and Climate

  • Systems and System Models

This free response question aligns to the following standards

  • ESS2.C: The Roles of Water in Earth’s Surface Processes

  • ESS2.D: Weather and Climate

  • Developing and Using Models

  • Systems and System Models

  • MS-ESS2-6

This free response question aligns to the following standards

  • MS-ESS2-6

  • Systems and System Models

  • Developing and Using Models

  • ESS2.D: Weather and Climate

  • ESS2.C: The Roles of Water in Earth’s Surface Processes

This free response question aligns to the following standards

  • MS-ESS2-6

  • Systems and System Models

  • Developing and Using Models

  • ESS2.D: Weather and Climate

This free response question aligns to the following standards

  • ESS2.C: The Roles of Water in Earth’s Surface Processes

  • ESS2.D: Weather and Climate

  • Developing and Using Models

  • Systems and System Models

  • MS-ESS2-6

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