The Tropical Environment and its Moderating Factors


The tropical region lies between the latitudes (tropics) of Cancer and

Capricorn in the north and south of the Equator. By its geographical

location, the region is expected to be uniformly hot all year round, but

this is not so. A number of environmental factors moderate the hotness

of the region such that several micro-climates (mini pockets of climatic

conditions) are created in certain places by factors such as distance away

from the equator (the degree of latitude), altitude (height above sea

level), soils and contours vegetation, ocean currents, wind, rainfall and

distribution of land and water. Differences between one micro-climate

and another are noticeable by variation in such climatic elements as

temperature, rainfall and to a lesser extent, humidity are the climatic

elements of greatest influences in moderating conditions in a microclimate. Similarly, they also cause major effects on animal physiology,

behaviour and productivity through their individual or separate effects

but, more often, by their combinations with other environmental factors.

The influence of climate on animal production (including animal body

functions, behaviours and productive abilities) may be direct or indirect.

In either way, systems of animal husbandry or management are also

affected. Direct influence of climate on animal production and

husbandry has to do with such influence on the animal itself, while

indirect influence is on the animal’s environment each of these shall be

examined closely. 


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