The link between climate and elevation is based on temperature and precipitation, with higher elevations generally having cooler temperatures and different precipitation patterns, leading to diverse climate zones and biomes.
The link between climate and elevation is primarily based on two key factors, temperature and precipitation. As elevation increases, temperature generally decreases, which can change the type of climate from one at the base of a mountain (e.g., type A climate) to a vastly different climate at its summit (e.g., type E climate). This variation is especially profound in high mountains near the equator, where diverse climate zones can be observed within relatively short distances.
Precipitation patterns can also be affected by elevation, as mountains can influence the distribution and amount of rainfall through orographic effects. In areas of higher elevation relief, changes in temperature and precipitation can be significant enough to establish different biome types, ranging from forests at lower elevations to tundra or permanent snow covers at higher elevations.
So, temperature and precipitation are crucial in determining the climate of an area at various elevations. These factors are also the main drivers behind the distribution of different biomes and ecological zones across the planet.