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Chapter Six: Weather and Climate. 6.1 Introduction to Weather 6.2 Weather Patterns 6.3 Climates and Biomes. 6.3 Biomes and climate. Climate depends on many factors: latitude, precipitation, elevation, topography, and distance from large bodies of water. 6.3 Biomes and climate.
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Chapter Six: Weather and Climate • 6.1 Introduction to Weather • 6.2 Weather Patterns • 6.3 Climates and Biomes
6.3 Biomes and climate • Climate depends on many factors: • latitude, • precipitation, • elevation, • topography, and • distance from large bodies of water.
6.3 Biomes and climate • Scientists divide the planet into climate regions called biomes. • Earth has six main biomes: deserts, grasslands, temperate deciduous forests, rainforests, taiga, and tundras. • Each biome has a unique set of plants and animals that thrive in its climate.
6.3 Biomes and climate • Each biome has a unique set of plants and animals that thrive in its climate. • The Serengeti is home to thousands of predators species and 1.6 million herbivores.
6.3 Biomes and climate • Humidity is related to plant and animal diversity. • From the poles to the equator, humidity and the diversity of plants and animal increases.
6.3 Biomes and climate • At the equator, sunlight is direct and intense. • As a result, the average yearly temperature at the equator is 27 °C (80 °F), while at the North Pole it is -18 °C (0 °F).
6.3 Biomes and climate • Compare the data below for Portland, OR and Minneapolis, MN. • If these cities are about the same latitude, why don’t they have the same climate? • The differences in temperature between the two cities have to do with water. • Water warms up and cools down slowly. • Regions near water—like Portland—do not have extremely hot or cold weather, even though they are farther north.
6.3 Plants and animals in biomes • A biome consists of plant and animal communities. • The plants and animals in a community survive in a shared environment. Can you give an example of an ecosystem in the desert biome? Research an oasis to learn more!
6.3 Plants and animals in biomes • What features of this jackrabbit help it survive in it’s desert biome?
6.3 Plants and animals in biomes • Within a biome, there are many interrelated ecosystems. • An ecosystemis made up of the plants and animals that live there, plus nonliving things like soil, air, water, sunlight, and nutrients.
Research Connection Meteorologists Weather it All • Dian and other meteorologists use many tools of their trade. • They gather information in many different ways.
Activity Rainy Day Mystery • Do some investigative meteorological work to find out why the climates of these two cities are so different.