Climate and natural change Flashcards
Specific heat capacity
The amount of head needed to raise the temperature of a body by 1*C
What is the climate of Equatorial areas
Annual temp of 26-27
Seasonal changes are less than 2*
high rainfall 2000mm per year
What are the climates of deserts like
High day time temp of 30-40*
low, unreliable and irregular rainfall, about 250mm per year
What factors effect the climate
Latitude Altitude Pressure D’instance from sea Prevailing winds Ocean currents Aspect
How does latitude effect climate
incoming solar radiation is concentration near the equator, but dispersed near poles.
Insolation near the piles have to pass through a greater amount of atmosphere, higher chance it’s reflected back out into the atmosphere
How does Altitude effect climate
Temperature decrease with altitude. 1*c every 100m. Air at higher allude is thinner and less dense
How does distance from sea affect climate
It takes more energy to heat up water than it does to head land. This is known as specific heat capacity. It takes longer for water to lose heat hence land is hotter than the sea by day, but colder than the sea by night.
How do prevailing winds affect climate
South-west winds bring warm air
North-east wind bring bitterly cold conditions
how do Ocean currents affect climate
Cold ocean currents lower temperature of coastline
Cold currents in tropical area can cause deserts to form because they produce very little rain.
How does aspect affect climate?
Aspect is the direction a place faces. Local scale aspect is very important- In northern hemisphere, south facing places are warmer than north- and east-facing places.
Describe the distribution of deserts
Subtropical areas between 20* to 30* north and south of the Equator
In areas of rain shadow
areas a great distance from sea
How are plants adapted to the desert environment
Growing long water-seeking roots
Produces only a few leaves, reducing transpiration
storing water
How are animals adapted to desert environments
being nocturnal
remaining underground
having large ears
What effects does deforestation have on rainforests
Loss of biodiversity
Climate change
sandification
CASE STUDY: Danum Valley Conservation Area.
DVCA contains 120 mammal species including 10 of primate.
forest surrounding reservation for orangutangs + Asian elephant + bear and leopard etc.
Covers 43800 hectares, comprising almost entirely of lowland dipterocarp trees.
1990s hoyle opened up in eastern edge of DVCA - this improved tourism
