ecology 2 Flashcards
conditions occurring at a specific area and time
weather
long term average pattern of weather
climate
solar energy that powers the earth’s climate system
short-wave radiation
roughly half of the incoming solar radiation is absorbed by?
earth’s surface
solar radiation absorbed by the earth’s surface is converted into? and emitted as
heat, long-wave radiation
what warms up the earth’s lower atmosphere and surface?
infrared radiation that is absorbed by greenhouse gases and clouds in the atmosphere
3 climate zones
polar, temperate, tropical
cold areas
polar
hot to cold seasons
temperate
direct sunlight, always warm
tropical
solar radiation falls directly on the tropic of cancer, increased day length on the northern hemisphere
summer solstice (june)
solar radiation falls directly on the equator
vernal & autumnal equinoxes
solar radiation falls directly on the tropic of capricorn, increased day day length in the southern hemisphere
winter solstice (december)
reasons for seasons
- uneven heating of the earth’s surface
- tilting
northern hemisphere, spring equinox, equator facing the sun
southern hemisphere autumnal equinox