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Ch. 2: Climates & Ecosystems

Ch. 2: Climates & Ecosystems. Sec. 1: Weather and Climate Sec. 2: Ecosystems. Climate vs. Weather. Climate : weather patterns that an area experiences over a long period of time, sun as its source.

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Ch. 2: Climates & Ecosystems

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  1. Ch. 2: Climates & Ecosystems Sec. 1: Weather and Climate Sec. 2: Ecosystems

  2. Climate vs. Weather Climate: weather patterns that an area experiences over a long period of time, sun as its source Weather: condition of the bottom layer of the atmosphere over a place for a short period of time

  3. Earth’s Atmosphere Troposphere: atmosphere closest to Earth, contains the air we breath Photosynthesis: plants take in carbon dioxide to make their food and release oxygen Clouds: masses of tiny particles of water and dust in the atmosphere Atmosphere is 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, rest is carbon dioxide and argon Ozone Layer: within the stratosphere is a band of ozone that absorbs harmful sun rays, it’s getting smaller Ozone hole over Antarctica

  4. Oxygen Cycle A large amount of oxygen is stored in the atmosphere, oxygen is given off by both land and marine plants. Oxygen is used by all animals and humans and is used for burning fossil fuels

  5. Greenhouse Effect Some solar radiation is reflected back into space and some reaches Earth’s surface The solar radiation warms the land and water Atmosphere keeps heat from escaping This is the Greenhouse Effect

  6. Global Warming Increasing amounts of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere Could lead to the melting of the ice caps, rise in ocean levels Could lead to increase in deserts

  7. Rotation & Revolution Rotation: time it takes Earth to spin 1 full turn on its axis (24 hrs) Revolution: time it takes the Earth to make a full trip around the sun (365 days)

  8. Solstices & Equinoxes Solstice: 1st days of summer & winter, longest & shortest days of the year, June 21 & Dec. 21; Tropics of Cancer & Capricorn Equinox: 1st days of spring & fall; 12/12 split, March 22 & Sept. 22; Equator

  9. Wind Patterns and Climate Winds move from areas of high pressure to areas of lower pressure, convection Equator: light, warm breezes called doldrums 30 degrees N & S: light, unpredictable winds called Horse Latitudes Between 0-30 degrees N & S: Trade Winds, winds from SE & NE blow towards the Equator

  10. Ocean Currents Coriolis Effect: wind blows from the Equator to the Poles, but bends due to the rotation of the Earth Like air currents, ocean currents move from cool to warm

  11. Precipitation & the Water Cycle All the forms of water that fall from the atmosphere onto the Earth’s surface Forms as the air temperature changes Warm, less dense air absorbs more moisture than cool air Precipitation falls when the clouds can no longer hold any more moisture, Water Cycle

  12. Types of Precipitation Convectional: hot, humid air rises & cools, common along the Equator & the Tropics, allows for lush rainforests Frontal: most common, 2 fronts (air masses) of different temps meet, warm air is pushed upward by cool air & precipitation occurs

  13. Orographic Precipitation Warm moist air is pushed upward when passing over high mountains causing precipitation Common on seacoasts Precipitation falls on the side of the mountain facing the coast, but by the time the air reaches the other side, it cools and dries This is called the leeward side of the mountain – rain shadow -- desert

  14. Forms of Precipitation Precipitation isn’t just rain; it’s rain, snow, sleet, hail, even acid rain.

  15. Other Influences on Climate Near bodies of water: climate is more moderate, receives more rainfall, temps vary less Continental Climates: cold, snowy winters; hot, dry summers Elevation: air temps drop by 3.5 degrees F for every 1,000 ft, causes snow caps Landforms: lakes, deserts, etc.

  16. Weather Extremes Hurricanes or Typhoons: form across areas of ocean with high avg. temps and lots of moisture, winds up to 500 mph Tornadoes: powerful, funnel-shaped column of spiraling area, winds up to 300 mph

  17. More Weather Extremes Blizzard: heavy snowstorm with winds >35 mph Drought: long period of time without rain

  18. Flood When water spread over land not normally covered by water

  19. El Nino vs. La Nina El Nino: every 2-7 yrs, warm winds blow warm water & heavy rains over the Americas, causes floods & mudslides; however, Asia & Australia experience drought La Nina: winds blow warmer air over the Western Pacific Rim increasing precipitation while the Americas experience drought

  20. Tropical Wet Climate Hot all year (avg. 79 degrees); 100 inches of precipitation per year

  21. Tropical Wet & Dry Hot all year (avg. 79 degrees); Summer – 45 inches; Winter – 5 inches of precipitation

  22. Semiarid Hot summers, mild to cold winters; Summer – 78 degrees avg.; Winter – 51 degrees avg.; 18 inches of precipitation per year

  23. Arid Hot days, cold nights; Summer – 81 degrees; Winter – 55 degrees; Yearly precipitation 5 inches

  24. Mediterranean Hot summers, cool winters; Summer – 72, Winter – 55 degrees; yearly precipitation of 23 inches

  25. Humid Subtropical Hot summers (77 degrees); cool winters (47 degrees); yearly precipitation 50 inches

  26. Marine West Coast Warm summers (60 degrees); Cool winters (42 degrees); yearly precipitation 45 inches

  27. Humid Continental Warm summers (66 degrees); cold winters (21 degrees); yearly precipitation 27 inches

  28. Subarctic Cool summers (56 degrees); very cold winters (-8 degrees); yearly precipitation 17 inches

  29. Tundra Cool summers (40 degrees); very cold winters (0 degrees); yearly precipitation 16 inches

  30. Ice Cap Cold all year; Summer – 32 degrees; Winter – negative 14 degrees; yearly precipitation 8 inches

  31. Highlands Temperatures vary depending on elevation; precipitation ranges from 3 inches to 123 inches

  32. World Climate Zones

  33. Ecosystems & Biomes Ecosystem: interaction of plant life, animal life, and the physical environment Biome: major types of ecosystems that can be found in various regions throughout the world

  34. Forest Regions Tropical Rain Forests: near the Equator, temps warm all year, lots of rainfall, broadleaf evergreens Mid-Latitude Forests: mostly deciduous trees (shed their leaves), mid-latitude regions

  35. More Forest Regions Coniferous Forest: colder parts of mid-latitude regions; coniferous trees have needle-like leaves Chaparral: includes evergreens and scrub, unique to a Mediterranean climate

  36. Grasslands Tropical Grasslands: savannas, hot, dry season; warm, rainy season; wildfire season Temperate Grasslands: prairies or steppes; cooler, tall grasses & a few small trees

  37. The Meat-eaters vs. the Plant-eaters Herbivores: plant-eating animals Carnivores: meat-eating animals Omnivores: eat both plants & animals

  38. Desert Very dry climate, plants and animals adopt to very little water

  39. Tundras Temperatures are always cold, but specialized plants can grow such as mosses and lichens. Permafrost exits here.

  40. World Ecosystems Regions

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