2.4/6.1 Flashcards
How does Precipitation, light, temperature influence biomes?
Precipitation, light and temperature are influenced by latitude and longtitude which create distinct biomes.
Eg. Tropical rainforest have high temperatures and high precipitation
Deserts have high temperature but low precipitation
Tundra occurs where temperatures are low regardless of precipitation levels
Catagory of biomes
Freshwater, marine, forest, grassland, desert and tundra. These characteritics all have abiotic limiting factors, productivity and diversity.
Limiting factor of rainforest
-Nutrient locked in biomass instead of soil
-Thin soil
-High productivty due to warm temperatures
-Highest biodiversity
Limiting factor of Desert
-Little precipitation
-High evaporation
-Low productivity because H2O is needed for photosynthesis
-Low biodiversity
Limiting factor of tundra
-Slow nutrient cycle
-Photosynthesis is limited from frozen water
-Limited biodiversity because too cold for cold blooded species.
Longtitude
Vertical lines measuring distance east or west of the Prime Meridian (0°).
latitude
Horizontal lines measuring distance north or south of the Equator (0°)
Seasonality of isolation
Changes in the amount of solar energy received at different times of the year due to Earth’s tilt.
Relationship between Seasonality of isolation and latitude
Higher latitude = Greater seasonal variation (more extreme summers and winters).
Lower latitude = Less seasonal variation (consistent temperatures year-round).
Natural greenhouse effect
Gases that trap heat naturally, maintaining Earth’s temperature (e.g., CO₂, CH₄, H₂O vapor, N₂O).
Anthropogenic greenhouse effect
Human-made gases increasing global warming (e.g., CO₂ from fossil fuels, CH₄ from livestock, CFCs from industry).
Tri-cellular Model
Global atmospheric circulation through three major convection cells in each hemisphere, driven by the uneven heating of Earth’s surface:
Polar cells
Cold air sinks at the poles, moves toward 60°, rises again (creates polar easterlies).
Hardley Cells
Warm air rises at the equator, moves poleward, sinks at 30° (creates deserts & trade winds).
Feral cells
Acts like a conveyor belt, moving air between Hadley & Polar cells (creates westerly winds).
How does wind affect ocean currents?
Trade Winds (0°–30°): Push warm water west (create Equatorial Currents).
💨 Westerlies (30°–60°): Push water east (help warm places like Europe).
💨 Polar Easterlies (60°–90°): Move cold water toward the equator (create cold currents).
Nomal conditions without el nino
Trade winds blow from east to west across the Pacific Ocean.
These winds push warm surface water toward Australia and Southeast Asia, causing heavy rainfall there.
In the eastern Pacific (near South America), cold water rises from the deep ocean through upwelling, supporting marine life and fisheries.
El nino
Trade winds weaken or reverse, so warm water stays in the central and eastern Pacific instead of moving west.
Without strong trade winds, upwelling stops, meaning less cold, nutrient-rich water reaches the surface near South America.
The Pacific Ocean becomes warmer than usual, disrupting global weather patterns.
Impact of el nino
South America (Eastern Pacific):
Warmer ocean temperatures lead to heavy rainfall and flooding.
Fisheries decline due to reduced upwelling, affecting marine life.
Australia & Southeast Asia (Western Pacific):
Less warm water leads to droughts and wildfires.
Other Global Impacts:
Warmer global temperatures due to increased heat in the ocean.
Stronger hurricanes in the Pacific Ocean, but fewer hurricanes in the Atlantic Ocean
Case Study
During El nino in New Zealand, there an frequency of wind from the west in summer, promoting dryness in eastern areas and more rain in the west. During winter, the winds blow more from the south, causing colder temperature across the country. Particularly in the east, the drier-than normal conditions in regions like Hawke’s bay and Canterbury reduces soil moisture and water availability.
Climagraph: Trophic zones
regions between the tropics and polar zones (30°–60° latitude). They experience moderate temperatures and distinct seasons (winter, spring, summer, fall).
Example: United States (e.g., California, New York) and Europe (e.g., Germany).
Climate: Moderate rainfall and temperature ranges, suitable for agriculture.
Climagraph: polar zones
located near the North and South Poles (60°–90° latitude). These areas are cold year-round, with very little sunlight in winter.
Example: Arctic and Antarctic regions.
Climate: Low temperatures, minimal precipitation (mostly snow), and long winters.
Climagraph: Temperate zone
refer to the layers in an ecosystem, often related to how energy flows through food webs. I
Structure of atmosphere
5 layers, thickest near Earth, thinning into space.
1️⃣ Troposphere – Weather occurs, contains half of the atmosphere.
2️⃣ Stratosphere – Stable for jet flights, contains the ozone layer (absorbs UV rays).
3️⃣ Mesosphere – Meteors burn up here.
4️⃣ Thermosphere – Auroras & space shuttle orbits.
5️⃣ Exosphere – Merges into space, extremely thin.
