module 2 ecology Flashcards
Weather
occurs at a specific place/time
weather It is the combination of:
temperature humidity precipitation wind cloudiness any other atmospheric conditions
Climate
is the long-term average pattern of weather
Local, regional, global
Solar radiation is
Shorter wavelength
longer wavelength
electromagnetic energy
= higher energy
=lower energy
Albedo
white sand
black sand
Reflectivity of a surface.
Some energy that reaches Earth is reflected back into space
high albedo
low albedo
Shortwave Radiation
Incoming Radiation from Sun
Terrestrial longwave radiation
Some absorbed by the surface.
In turn, Emitted back into space.
Greenhouses gases
absorb longwave radiation
carbon dioxide
water vapor
methane
greenhouse effect
Help to keep the surface of the Earth warm (the greenhouse effect)
Net radiation
determines
earth average=
incoming solar (shortwave) radiation - outgoing terrestrial (longwave) radiation
suface temp
zero
Average annual surface net radiation equator vs. poles because of
Higher at Equator
Lower at Poles
Angle of Incidence
Amount of Atmosphere
Distinct pattern of global temperatures. poles and equator
Cool, Dry at Poles
Hot, Moist At Equator
Earths’s Orbit
One year for the Earth to orbit once around the sun.
Earth’s Rotation
One day for the Earth to rotate on its axis.
Earth’s Tilt
Axis has a tilt of 23.5°
Equinoxes
sun is directly overhead where
“equal nights” 2 equinoxes each year Vernal (spring) Autumnal (fall) Sun is directly overhead at the equator all places have 12 hours of darkness and 12 hours of light
summer solstice
June 22 Northern Summer/Southern Winter Northern Hemisphere tilted toward sun Sun is directly overhead at the Tropic of Cancer (23.5° N) Northern Hemisphere days longer & temperatures warmer Summer solstice About June 22nd Longest day in Northern Hemisphere
Winter solstice
dec 22.
Southern Summer/Northern Winter Southern Hemisphere tilted toward sun Sun is directly overhead at the Tropic of Capricorn (23.5° S) Winter solstice Shortest day in Northern Hemisphere About December 22nd
Seasonality equator vs. poles
- Regions at equator show very little seasonal variation in temperature.
- Regions at the Poles show the most seasonal variation in day length (zero to 24 hours) and solar radiation
surplus radiation
Incoming > outgoing radiation
deficit radiation
Outgoing > incoming radiation
Imbalance results in global pattern of heat redistribution
mainly through
Mainly through convection
Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)
Warm air at equator rises leads to low pressure at surface air flows from N and S to the equator Rising air at equator moves N and S toward poles Cools & sinks leads to high pressure at surface Movement creates cells of circulation
speed of rotation is faster at the ____ and slower at the _____
Earth is not stationary
Speed of rotation is
faster at the equator
slower at the poles
Coriolis effect
Northern Hemisphere
Deflection to the right
Southern Hemisphere
Deflection to the left
Equator
equatorial low
warm air rises low pressure at surface (equatorial low) Result is warm air: Rises Spreads north and south cools as it moves
Pa Hadley Cell
circle cell same as tropical convergenze zone
trade winds
deflected winds
Evaporation
condensation
requires energy
releases energy
Saturation vapor pressure (VP)
what capacity of air
if this is exceed what occurs
water vapor capacity of air
amount of pressure exerted by water vapor at saturation
if this is exceeded, condensation occurs
Relative humidity =
(Current VP/Saturation VP) × 100
Near equator
Rising air masses of very warm, humid air
Cool and release precipitation
Very rainy
30° N and S
Falling air masses of dry, cool air
warm and absorb surface moisture - dry
50° to 60° N and S
Rising air masses of warm, humid air at
cool and release precipitation - rainy
More rain in________ Hemisphere because of
southern hemisphere
Greater ocean area
Maritime influence
Locations near the coast (oceans or large bodies of water) have smaller temperature fluctuations during the year and more precipitation
Continentality
Locations far from the coast have greater temperature fluctuations during the year, up to 100°C
Altitude
Air Temperatures Decrease with Elevation
Adiabatic Cooling
Decrease in Temperature due to expansion of air
Distinct belts of vegetation corresponding to latitude or altitude
Mountains can affect precipitation
creates rain shadow on what side
When an air mass flows into a mountain
the air rises and cools (windward side)
reaches the dew point and precipitation occurs at higher altitudes
cool, dry air flows over and down the other side (leeward)
warms as it descends, so pulls moisture from the surface
Creates a rain shadow on the leeward side
Rain Shadows
Arid environments Behind Mountains
Great Basin, Gobi Desert, Great Plains
Windward side
higher rainfall
plant growth more vigorous, trees
Leeward side
lower rainfall
plant growth less vigorous, shrubby
Not all climate patterns have regular temporal variation
- little ice age
- el nino
what causes irregular variations in climate
changes in the shape of Earth’s orbit
changes in the tilt of Earth’s axis
variation in sunspot activity
magnetic storms on the sun
Microclimates
Organisms may experience conditions very different from the general climate conditions in an area
southern slopes
-warmer, drier
xeric plants
northern slopes
cooler moister
mesic plants
