climate and biomes Flashcards
(39 cards)
What is the difference between climate and weather?
Climate: long term patterns of atmospheric conditions; Weather: short-term atmospheric conditions (days)
What are the primary variables considered in characterizing a region’s climate?
Average temperature, average precipitation, and their seasonal patterns
What are the secondary variables considered in characterizing a region’s climate?
Wind patterns, humidity, etc
Where does Earth receive the highest rate of solar energy input?
Equator, due to direct sunlight and shorter atmospheric path
Where does Earth receive the lowest rate of solar energy input?
Poles, due to angled sunlight and seasonal darkness
What causes seasonal fluctuation in climate between summer and winter?
Tilt of Earth’s axis (23.5º)
What processes help to even out the temperature gradient between pole and equator?
Atmospheric circulation (wind currents) and ocean circulation (currents, thermohaline circulation)
Describe the dynamics of the Hadley Cells.
Warm air rises at the equator, moves poleward at high altitudes, sinks around 30°N/S, and returns toward the equator at the surface
What effect does the Coriolis force have on global wind patterns?
It causes moving air and water to curve, leading to trade winds, westerlies, and rotation direction of storms
Where are Earth’s driest and hottest deserts generally found?
Around 30°N and 30°S where dry air descends and heats up
Why does the major gradient of rainfall in Africa follow a north-south orientation?
Different mountain orientation affects the rainfall pattern
What is the name of the climate pattern that produces wet, moderately cold winters and hot, dry summers?
Mediterranean climate
What is the name of the climate pattern characterized by moderate temperature fluctuations and wet year-round?
Maritime climate
What is the name of the climate pattern that produces extreme temperature differences between winter and summer?
Continental climate
What climate fluctuation with a return period of 3-7 years controls rainfall and temperature extremes in Southeast Asia?
El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO)
What is the monsoon?
Seasonal wind reversals: moist air from the ocean in summer brings rain; dry air from land in winter causes dry seasons
What are Milankovitch Cycles?
Long-term cycles in Earth’s orbit and axis: precession (~23,000 yrs), axial tilt (~41,000 yrs), eccentricity (~100,000 yrs)
What planetary feedbacks have caused fluctuations in planetary glaciation over the past 2.5 million years?
Feedback loops such as ice-albedo effect and changes in greenhouse gases
Where can you find the Arctic tundra biome on a global map?
Northern Alaska, Canada, Russia
Where can you find the taiga biome on a global map?
Canada, Russia, Scandinavia
Where can you find the temperate deciduous forest biome on a global map?
Eastern U.S., Europe, East Asia
Where can you find the hot desert biome on a global map?
Africa (Sahara), southwest U.S., Australia
Where can you find the seasonal tropical forest biome on a global map?
India, Southeast Asia, Central America, Africa
Where can you find the tropical savanna or woodland biome on a global map?
East Africa, Brazil, Northern Australia
