Earth's natural systems 2.3- 3.4 Flashcards
Landscapes, biophysical features, natural systems, atmosphere (32 cards)
The atmosphere, open ocean, outer space, polar lands (especially Antarctica) are examples of
Global commons (resources that no individual or country has legal responsibility for/owns)
How much of the ocean does a country govern off its coast?
Within their exclusive economic zones (EEZ)- generally 370km from shore
T or F do High Seas sit outside the control of any authority?
T
3 practices to fish more sustainably?
Fishing quotas
Eliminating illegal practices
Establishing fish-breeding areas
What is the only UN treaty to be ratified by every country?
Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (adopted 1987)
Some success in reducing damage to ozone layer (shield protecting Earth’s surface from harmful UV radiation). Regulates production and consumption of nearly 100 human-made chemicals that damage ozone layer.
What is a landmass?
large area of land where Earth’s crust extends above sea level.
List the 7 continents from largest to smallest
Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe, Australia
What is the largest ocean?
Pacific
3 services provided by oceans?
1- Produce more than half of oxygen we breathe
2- Provide most precipitation that sustains water supply
3- Food source
4 ways ocean regulates climate?
1- Keeps planet warm (absorb most solar radiation (especially in tropical, equatorial waters) and release heat slowly- moderating temperatures)
- Help distribute heat by evaporation (> condensation > precipitation)
- Ocean currents drive weather patterns (balancing uneven distribution of solar radiation over the surface. Without, equator would be much hotter and poles colder)
- Absorbs 93% of the extra energy generated by the greenhouse effect
Geomorphic landscapes (result from distinctive set of tectonic and geological processes) include
volcanic, riverine, arid, coastal landscapes
How do glaciers (slow moving rivers of ice) form?
Form when snow accumulation exceeds its ablation over many years, often centuries
What are the 2 ice sheets in the world?
Antarctica and Greenland
What is Australia’s largest drainage basin (each stream has a basin)?
Murray-Darling
What are 6 factors that affect the functioning of natural systems?
Latitude
Altitude
Continents
Oceans
Seasons
Systems concept
Why does latitude affect temp?
Each line receives different amounts of solar radiation?
At what do temperatures typically drop with rises in altitude?
1 degrees per 100 metres
What is continentality?
Remoteness from oceans and oceanic air affects climate- the degree of impact is called continentality
How does distance from the sea impact rain?
Distance from sea affects precipitation- interiors tend to be subhumid to arid (oceans primary source of atmospheric moisture)
How does being close to a large water body affect temp?
- Smaller diurnal range
- Temperature of water body impacts precipitation > warmer= higher evaporation > higher precipitation (and vice versa)
What is seasonality?
climatic variations caused by tilt of Earth’s axis (throughout year, different parts of Earth receive Sun’s most direct rays)
What is the system concept?
To be able to study a system, it must have a boundary separating it from everything else.
What is an isolated system?
prevent exchange of matter and energy within their surroundings- do not exist within the natural world
Closed system?
permit exchange of energy NOT matter. When changes are made in one part of a closed system, they eventually affect all other parts
