West Central Missouri and The Pacific Northwest: Contrasting Physical Geography

by | Nov 29, 2023 | Geography

Compare the climate, soil, and vegetation patterns at two different locations in the United States. You must choose west-central Missouri (with Warrensburg as a representative city) as one of those two sites. For the other site, you must choose one of the following:
• Southern Arizona/Sonoran Desert (with Tucson and/or Yuma as representative cities)
• The Pacific Northwest (with Seattle/Tacoma Washington as representative cities)
Write a hypothesis statement that states whether you think that the two areas will have similar or different patterns. It should be in the format of the following:
West Central Missouri and Region #2 will have different/same physical geography due to differences/similarity in climate, soil and vegetation patterns.
Conduct research on the dominant climate, soil orders, and vegetation structures/species found at your two chosen locations.
• Climate Type: Define the region’s temperature and precipitation regimes. You should consider including
climographs.
• Vegetation: Discuss vegetation in terms of its structure (for example: broadleaf deciduous forest, oak
savanna, etc.), but also provide examples and discussions of a few dominant species types found in these
areas. It is important to recognize that we generally consider natural vegetation in terms of how it looked before European settlement. You should do the same. In other words, describe what types of
vegetation are best adapted to the environmental conditions within the regions, regardless of how people have altered those conditions in modern times.
• Soil: Discuss soil in terms of the prevalent soil order or orders found at your locations (for example, Mollisol, Aridisol, etc.) Note that in most cases there will be more than one soil order present in the
area. In spite of that, you should be able to deduce which orders are most prevalent.
As you describe climate, soil and vegetation, analyze and explain the environmental/ geographical factors that influence their form and distribution at each of the sites you chose. What explains the precipitation and temperature regimes at each site? What environmental factors influence the region’s dominant soil and vegetation patterns?
Finally, as you discuss the conditions at your two sites, you also need to point out comparisons and contrasts in the dominant climate, soil, and vegetation patterns between them. It is not enough to simply describe the conditions at your two sites without pointing out and explaining the differences and similarities between them and explaining why those differences or similarities exist. How do the factors that influence soil and vegetation vary from one place to another, and why? Remember that this is a geography class, so we describe what patterns exist and why. Your paper should do the same: describe the pattern (geography) and then explain why it occurs.

West Central Missouri and The Pacific Northwest will have different physical geography due to differences in climate, soil and vegetation patterns.
1. Pacific Northwest Climate https://wrcc.dri.edu/Climate/narrative_wa.php
2. Peer Reviewed-Wildlife species associated with non-coniferous vegetation in Pacific Northwest conifer forests https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378112707002824
3. West Central MO Climate http://climate.missouri.edu/climate.php
4. Vegetation West Central MO https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/habitats/forests-woodlands
5. Peer Reviewed Article on Climate in MO https://www.solutionsfromtheland.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/MCC_climate_trends_Feb18.pdf

Sample Answer

Sample Answer

 

West Central Missouri and The Pacific Northwest: Contrasting Physical Geography

West Central Missouri, represented by Warrensburg, and the Pacific Northwest, represented by Seattle/Tacoma, Washington, exhibit distinct physical geography characteristics due to differences in climate, soil, and vegetation patterns.

Climate:
In West Central Missouri, the climate is classified as humid continental, characterized by hot summers and cold winters. The region experiences moderate precipitation throughout the year. According to the Missouri Climate Center, the average annual temperature in Warrensburg is around 54°F, with an average annual precipitation of approximately 40 inches. Precipitation is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year, with slightly higher amounts in spring and summer.

On the other hand, the Pacific Northwest has a marine west coast climate influenced by the Pacific Ocean. The region experiences mild, wet winters and cool summers. Seattle/Tacoma receives an average annual temperature of around 53°F and an average annual precipitation of about 38 inches. The majority of the precipitation occurs during the winter months, whereas summers are relatively drier.

Soil:
In West Central Missouri, the prevalent soil order is Mollisol. Mollisols are fertile soils that develop under grassland or forest vegetation. They are characterized by a deep, dark topsoil rich in organic matter, making them ideal for agricultural purposes. The presence of Mollisols indicates the historical presence of prairies and woodlands in the region.

In the Pacific Northwest, various soil orders can be found due to diverse topography and geological history. However, one prevalent soil order is Alfisol. Alfisols are moderately weathered soils found in temperate regions. They typically have a clay-rich subsoil and are suitable for growing a variety of crops. Additionally, Andisols are common in volcanic areas due to the region’s volcanic activity.

Vegetation:
West Central Missouri is characterized by a mix of forests and woodlands. The dominant vegetation includes hardwood trees such as oak, hickory, and maple. The region is known for its oak-hickory forest ecosystem, which historically covered much of the area.

The Pacific Northwest is renowned for its lush temperate rainforests and coniferous forests. The dominant vegetation in this region includes Douglas fir, western hemlock, western red cedar, and Sitka spruce. These forests are characterized by tall evergreen trees and dense undergrowth of ferns and mosses.

Factors Influencing Differences:
The contrasting climate patterns between the two regions can be attributed to their geographical location and proximity to major bodies of water. West Central Missouri’s continental climate is influenced by its inland position, leading to more pronounced seasonal variations. In contrast, the Pacific Northwest’s marine west coast climate is a result of its proximity to the Pacific Ocean, which moderates temperatures and brings abundant moisture.

Regarding soil patterns, West Central Missouri’s Mollisols reflect the historical presence of grasslands and woodlands that have shaped the soil composition over time. The Pacific Northwest’s diverse soil orders can be attributed to its varied topography and volcanic activity, which contribute to different soil formation processes.

The variation in vegetation patterns is primarily driven by climate and historical land use practices. West Central Missouri’s oak-hickory forests were influenced by the region’s historical grasslands and woodlands. Meanwhile, the Pacific Northwest’s temperate rainforests are a result of the mild, moist climate and abundant rainfall that supports the growth of coniferous trees.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, West Central Missouri (Warrensburg) and the Pacific Northwest (Seattle/Tacoma) exhibit contrasting physical geography due to differences in climate, soil, and vegetation patterns. West Central Missouri’s humid continental climate, prevalence of Mollisols, and oak-hickory forests contrast with the marine west coast climate, diverse soils including Alfisols and Andisols, and temperate rainforests dominated by coniferous species found in the Pacific Northwest. These differences can be attributed to variations in regional climate regimes, geological history, and historical land use practices.

 

 

 

This question has been answered.

Get Answer