climates + biomes Flashcards
(23 cards)
interactions between environment + organisms
they each influence one another.
what is a biome
particular climates with distinct animals and plant types
ecosystems within a biome
biome, landscape, ecosystem, community, population, organism
what is climate determined by
latitude, proximity to water, topography and elevation
how does latitude affect climate
different seasons bc of earth’s axial tilt, rotation and orbit.
where is more solar energy absorbed
equatorial regions, due to earth’s curvature.
where do seasonal temperatures fluctuate most
higher latitudes
atmospheric circulation cells
receives maximum solar input. moisture in air rises, clouds form.
intertropical convergence zone
moves between tropic of cancer + tropic of capricorn. seasonal shifts with rainy or dry seasons near equator.
what is a hadley cell
circulation of air at 0-30° latitude.
what does a hadley cell do
moisture drawn from land into the atmosphere, circulates through the zone.
coriolis effect
caused by earth’s rotation. deflects winds to right of direction in northern hemisphere; winds deflect left of direction in south.
what is a cyclone
area of low atmospheric pressure. moves CW in n. hemisphere, CCW in s. hemisphere.
what is an anticyclone
area of high atmospheric pressure. opposite directions in hemispheres.
which is greater: thermal inertia of water, or thermal intertia of air
thermal inertia of water
why is the thermal inertia of water greater than air
takes more energy to volume of water than volume of air
how is heating slowed
as water evaporates, heat drawn from surroundings
how does weather interact with mountain ranges
wind carries rain, clouds up mountain side, reaches crest; then, falling down the other side, air warms
what is orographic precipitation
precipitation caused by mountains; mimics itcz
why are higher elevations colder
air cools as elevation increases, as the air rises. atmospheric pressure decreases.
soil is a product of:
climate, plants + animals, topography, parent material, time
soil classifications
organic horizon (O); mineral soil (A); depositional horizon (B); weathered parent material (C).
what are the major terrestrial biomes
tropical rainforest. tropical dry forest. tropical savanna. desert. mediterranean woodland. temperate grassland. temperate forest. boreal forest. tundra.
