The image focuses on a central tree, illustrating two contrasting realities. On the right half, a desert is drenched by heavy rains, while the left half shows lush green crops under a clear sky. The screen divides into two halves: the right featuring the image, while the left displays the video title "Influence of Climate on Agriculture."
Three trees stand before a large house, swaying wildly in a storm with dust floating in the air.
The climate in which we live impacts every aspect of our lives. What is climate?
The screen splits again: the right side displaying a massive rocky structure amidst greenery, and the left side providing a definition of climate as "The measure of the average temperature, precipitation, wind, and humidity of an area over a long period of time."
Climate is defined as the measure of the average temperature, precipitation, wind, and humidity of an area over a long period of time.
Small crops sway in a farmland due to intense wind.
One of the most significant ways that climate affects our lives is through its impact on agriculture.
The sun sets over land predominantly covered in thorny crops. A desert landscape stretches far and wide.
Think about the climate in a desert. Is that climate well-suited for agriculture?
Images of the Arctic and the North Pole are displayed.
What about Antarctica or the North Pole?
Animals graze in a field. Small crops are sown across a farmland. Water is supplied to the crops on a farmland.
The climate in those regions is not conducive to agriculture. In order to grow plants and animals, the climate needs to be somewhat temperate, with relatively long growing seasons and a consistent water supply.
The screen splits again: the right side displaying patches of greenery on land, while the left side lists factors affecting climate as read by the narrator.
Many factors affect our climate including latitude, soil temperature, global wind patterns, altitude, terrain, and availability of water.
The image illustrates the Earth with the equator passing through it. Locations near the equator exhibit higher average temperatures and longer growing seasons, while those farther away have shorter growing seasons and lower average temperatures.
Latitude is the distance north or south of the equator. Locations near the equator have higher average temperatures and a longer growing season because they receive many hours of sunlight every day of the year. The further from the equator, the shorter the growing season and the lower the average temperature.
The screen divides: the right side shows an image of the Earth, while the left side bears the title "Uneven Solar Heating." It then transitions to illustrate "Sun’s Rays," depicting direct sun rays hitting near the equator and at angles further away.
Uneven solar heating also contributes to climate. Some regions of the Earth receive less direct sunlight than others, which helps determine weather patterns.
Global wind patterns, such as "Jet Streams," "Subtropical Jets," and "Polar Jets," are displayed on the Earth, showing cool air masses in Jet Streams and Polar Jets regions, and warm air masses in the Subtropical Jets region.
Global wind patterns also affect climate. There are four major global winds called jet streams which are basically large rivers of fast-moving wind. Jet streams move warm and cold air masses around the world and are responsible for weather patterns.
The image portrays a mountain range surrounded by valleys and greenery, defining altitude as "How high an area is above, and sometimes below, sea level."
Altitude is determined by how high an area is above, and sometimes below, sea level.
An animal grazes in a green field against the backdrop of mountain ranges. The text box notes, "High altitude locations like mountainous areas have cooler average temperatures." The image depicts greenery in a lower altitude area. The text box mentions, "Lower altitude areas have higher average temperatures."
High altitude locations like mountainous areas tend to have cooler average temperatures, while lower altitude areas have higher average temperatures.
The image explains the concept of terrain, defining it as "The topography or physical features of the land."
Terrain is the topography or physical features of the land.
Two consecutive images display different hilly terrains.
Terrain often determines the climate of a region.
Animals graze in a field.
When discussing agriculture, terrain determines the amount and type of plants and animals that may be grown in that region.
An image illustrates large water bodies on the Earth's surface. The sun shines on a sea, with people gathered on the beach near the shoreline. A river flows, framed by mountain ranges in the background. Various water bodies are visible across the Earth's surface.
Large bodies of water also influence climate. Temperatures near large bodies of water tend to be more moderate because the water absorbs and stores much of the sun’s energy. This energy is released slowly during colder months, keeping temperatures near these areas more moist and moderate.
The image presents two distinct halves: the right displays a desert scene under red skies, while the left showcases lush greenery under a clear blue sky. An image illustrates trees in four different seasonal states.
The Earth’s climate is constantly changing. It goes through warming and cooling cycles, which means the Earth’s average temperature is always either rising or falling.
Several animals roam around in the field.
Temperature plays a big role in the production of agricultural plants and livestock.
The wind blows, causing crops to sway. A text box at the bottom of the screen indicates, "The majority of agricultural plants grow best between 50 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit."
The majority of agricultural plants grow best between 50 degrees and 86 degrees Fahrenheit.
A green field spreads out in front of mountain ranges in the image.
Outside of this range, plants don’t grow as fast.
Men are depicted working with food grains.
Some seed companies have developed several heat-tolerant varieties of food and fiber plants which grow well in hotter climates.
Small-sized crops grow on the farmland.
Warmer climates contribute to a greater amount of plant dehydration.
In an image titled "Moisture Loss," a single plant is sown in soil with its roots visible. Vertical arrows illustrate moisture loss due to higher temperatures.
Water evaporates more quickly at higher temperatures, both from the soil and from plant surfaces which stresses the plants.
The plant appears damaged by pests and diseases. A series of images shows the effects of pests and diseases on plants and animals, with pests observed near various parts of plants and animals.
Pests and disease in both plants and animals have a more significant impact in warmer climates. Insects, mold, and fungi tend to thrive in warmer temperatures. Hard, cold winters tend to decrease the effect of pests and diseases. When winters are mild, pests and diseases are more prevalent the following season, which decreases agricultural efficiency.
Consecutive images illustrate the impact of hot climates on different animals like goats, cows, and sheep.
Climate can also cause problems for animals as well. In extremely warm climates, animals can be stressed by excessive heat. If you think about it, animals are wearing fur coats all the time. That comes in handy in cooler temperatures, but in hot climates, it makes it more difficult for animals to dissipate body heat, so animals in warmer climates need an abundance of water.
A series of images demonstrate animals with fur surviving in colder climates. A horse is depicted covered with woolen cloth to protect it from winter conditions.
Most animals don’t do well in cold climates either. In extremely cold climates, animals must either be naturally equipped to withstand the conditions, or adequate shelter from cold weather must be provided.
Rain falls on the ground.
What impact does precipitation have on agriculture?
A sprinkler waters a field.
Somewhat less than in the past, thanks to irrigation.
A dry field displays scattered patches of greenery.
Areas with less annual rainfall tend to produce fewer products than wetter areas.
Sprinklers are observed watering the field.
Thanks to irrigation, some arid and semi-arid regions have become prolific agricultural production areas.
A series of images depict the effects of irrigation on areas with higher temperatures, turning these areas green with tree cover and dense crop growth.
One example is the San Joaquin Valley in central California, which has become one of the most prolific agricultural regions in the world.
Animals are seen taking a dip in the water. Harvesting of crops is underway.
Climate affects where and how we live, and is the major determining factor when considering the location and efficiency of agricultural production.
The reflection of trees is visible in the water.