2.4/6.1

Question 1

How does Precipitation, light, temperature influence biomes?

Answer 1

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

Question 2

Catagory of biomes

Answer 2

Freshwater, marine, forest, grassland, desert and tundra. These characteritics all have abiotic limiting factors, productivity and diversity.

Question 3

Limiting factor of rainforest

Answer 3

-Nutrient locked in biomass instead of soil
-Thin soil
-High productivty due to warm temperatures
-Highest biodiversity

Question 4

Limiting factor of Desert

Answer 4

-Little precipitation
-High evaporation
-Low productivity because H2O is needed for photosynthesis
-Low biodiversity

Question 5

Limiting factor of tundra

Answer 5

-Slow nutrient cycle
-Photosynthesis is limited from frozen water
-Limited biodiversity because too cold for cold blooded species.

Question 6

Longtitude

Answer 6

Vertical lines measuring distance east or west of the Prime Meridian (0°).

Question 7

latitude

Answer 7

Horizontal lines measuring distance north or south of the Equator (0°)

Question 8

Seasonality of isolation

Answer 8

Changes in the amount of solar energy received at different times of the year due to Earth’s tilt.

Question 9

Relationship between Seasonality of isolation and latitude

Answer 9

Higher latitude = Greater seasonal variation (more extreme summers and winters).
Lower latitude = Less seasonal variation (consistent temperatures year-round).

Question 10

Natural greenhouse effect

Answer 10

Gases that trap heat naturally, maintaining Earth’s temperature (e.g., CO₂, CH₄, H₂O vapor, N₂O).

Question 11

Anthropogenic greenhouse effect

Answer 11

Human-made gases increasing global warming (e.g., CO₂ from fossil fuels, CH₄ from livestock, CFCs from industry).

Question 12

Tri-cellular Model

Answer 12

Global atmospheric circulation through three major convection cells in each hemisphere, driven by the uneven heating of Earth’s surface:

Question 13

Polar cells

Answer 13

Cold air sinks at the poles, moves toward 60°, rises again (creates polar easterlies).

Question 14

Hardley Cells

Answer 14

Warm air rises at the equator, moves poleward, sinks at 30° (creates deserts & trade winds).

Question 15

Feral cells

Answer 15

Acts like a conveyor belt, moving air between Hadley & Polar cells (creates westerly winds).

Question 16

How does wind affect ocean currents?

Answer 16

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).

Question 17

Nomal conditions without el nino

Answer 17

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.

Question 18

El nino

Answer 18

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.

Question 19

Impact of el nino

Answer 19

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

Question 20

Case Study

Answer 20

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.

Question 21

Climagraph: Trophic zones

Answer 21

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.

Question 22

Climagraph: polar zones

Answer 22

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.

Question 23

Climagraph: Temperate zone

Answer 23

refer to the layers in an ecosystem, often related to how energy flows through food webs. I