APES Unit 3 Flashcards
climate
general pattern of atmospheric or weather conditions
weather
local area’s short-term temperature or other physical conditions
3 factors that affect distribution of air
Properties of air, water, and land
Uneven heating of the earth’s surface
Rotation of the earth on its axis
Coriolis effect
the earth’s rotation causes winds to be deflected to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere.
currents
caused by prevailing winds and the rotation of the earth
thermocline
differences in water temperature
upwelling
water density differentials
El Niño
disruption of the ocean-atmosphere system
Rain Shadow Effect
Air travels over mountaintops and into slopes creating warm air. It has a lot of moisture but doesn’t release it. This creates dry plants and soil.
The Greenhouse Gases
Carbon Dioxide, Methane, Water, Nitrous Oxide
The Greenhouse Effect
the gases get trapped in the atmosphere and warm the earth
biomes
large terrestrial regions characterized by similar climate
Tropical Rain Forests
year round warmth with high humidity and heavy rainfall
evergreen vegetation
high biodiversity
canopy, emergent, sapling, and ground zones
poor soil quality
Temperate Deciduous Forests
moderate temperature fluctuates
few species: maple, beech, oak
slow decomposition of leaves
Boreal Forests (Taigas)
long dry and cold winters few species: pine, cedar, spruce needle leaves low plant biodiversity slow decomposition of needles
Tropical Grasslands (Savannas)
warm temperatures and alternating warm and dry seasons
large grazing herbivores
deep rooted plants
Temperate Grasslands (prairie)
rainfall
cold winters hot and dry summer
productive for crops
high winds
Cold Grasslands (Arctic Tundra)
frigid treeless plains
extreme cold (permafrost)
limited vegetation
animals like Arctic Fox
Tropical Deserts
little vegetation
extreme high daytime temperatures
Temperate Deserts
more precipitation than tropical deserts
drought resistant plants (cacti)
high daytime and low nighttime temperature
Cold Deserts
sparse vegetation
extremely cold winters
Turbidity
measure of how cloudy water is due to sedimetn
Salinity
concentration of salts in given water
Plankton
bottom trophic levels