Ch. 2: Climates & Ecosystems

Sec. 1: Weather and ClimateSec. 2: Ecosystems

Climate vs. WeatherClimate: 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

Earth’s Atmosphere

1. Troposphere: atmosphere closest to Earth, contains the air we breath

2. Photosynthesis: plants take in carbon dioxide to make their food and release oxygen

3. Clouds: masses of tiny particles of water and dust in the atmosphere

4. Atmosphere is 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, rest is carbon dioxide and argon

5. Ozone Layer: within the stratosphere is a band of ozone that absorbs harmful sun rays, it’s getting smaller

6. Ozone hole over Antarctica

Oxygen CycleA 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

Greenhouse Effect1. Some solar radiation is

reflected back into space and some reaches Earth’s surface

2. The solar radiation warms the land and water

3. Atmosphere keeps heat from escaping

4. This is the Greenhouse Effect

Global Warming1. Increasing amounts of

carbon dioxide in the atmosphere

2. Could lead to the melting of the ice caps, rise in ocean levels

3. Could lead to increase in deserts

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)

Solstices & EquinoxesSolstice: 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

Wind Patterns and Climate1. Winds move from areas of high pressure to areas of lower pressure, convection2. Equator: light, warm breezes called doldrums3. 30 degrees N & S: light, unpredictable winds called Horse Latitudes4. Between 0-30 degrees N & S: Trade Winds, winds from SE & NE blow towards the Equator

Ocean Currents1. Coriolis Effect: wind blows from the Equator to the Poles, but bends

due to the rotation of the Earth2. Like air currents, ocean currents move from cool to warm

Precipitation & the Water Cycle1. All the forms of water that fall from the atmosphere onto the Earth’s surface2. Forms as the air temperature changes3. Warm, less dense air absorbs more moisture than cool air4. Precipitation falls when the clouds can no longer hold any more moisture, Water Cycle

Types of PrecipitationConvectional: 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

Orographic Precipitation

1. Warm moist air is pushed upward when passing over high mountains causing precipitation

2. Common on seacoasts3. 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

4. This is called the leeward side of the mountain – rain shadow -- desert

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

Other Influences on Climate

1. Near bodies of water: climate is more moderate, receives more rainfall, temps vary less

2. Continental Climates: cold, snowy winters; hot, dry summers

3. Elevation: air temps drop by 3.5 degrees F for every 1,000 ft, causes snow caps

4. Landforms: lakes, deserts, etc.

Weather ExtremesHurricanes 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

More Weather ExtremesBlizzard: heavy snowstorm with winds >35 mph

Drought: long period of time without rain

FloodWhen water spread over land not normally

covered by water

El Nino vs. La NinaEl 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

Tropical Wet ClimateHot all year (avg. 79 degrees); 100 inches

of precipitation per year

Tropical Wet & DryHot all year (avg. 79 degrees); Summer – 45 inches;

Winter – 5 inches of precipitation

SemiaridHot summers, mild to cold winters; Summer – 78 degrees avg.;

Winter – 51 degrees avg.; 18 inches of precipitation per year

AridHot days, cold nights; Summer – 81 degrees; Winter –

55 degrees; Yearly precipitation 5 inches

MediterraneanHot summers, cool winters; Summer – 72, Winter – 55 degrees;

yearly precipitation of 23 inches

Humid Subtropical Hot summers (77 degrees); cool winters (47 degrees); yearly

precipitation 50 inches

Marine West CoastWarm summers (60 degrees); Cool winters (42

degrees); yearly precipitation 45 inches

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

SubarcticCool summers (56 degrees); very cold winters (-8 degrees); yearly precipitation 17 inches

TundraCool summers (40 degrees); very cold winters (0 degrees); yearly precipitation 16 inches

Ice CapCold all year; Summer – 32 degrees; Winter – negative 14 degrees; yearly precipitation 8 inches

HighlandsTemperatures vary depending on elevation; precipitation ranges from 3 inches to 123 inches

World Climate Zones

Ecosystems & BiomesEcosystem: 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

Forest RegionsTropical 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

More Forest RegionsConiferous Forest: colder parts of mid-latitude regions; coniferous trees have needle-like leaves

Chaparral: includes evergreens and scrub, unique to a Mediterranean climate

GrasslandsTropical Grasslands: savannas, hot, dry season; warm, rainy season; wildfire season

Temperate Grasslands: prairies or steppes; cooler, tall grasses & a few small trees

The Meat-eaters vs. the Plant-eaters

Herbivores: plant-eating animals Carnivores: meat-eating animals

Omnivores: eat both plants & animals

DesertVery dry climate, plants and animals adopt to very

little water

TundrasTemperatures are always cold, but specialized plants can grow such as mosses and lichens.

Permafrost exits here.

World Ecosystems Regions