Unit 5 study guide Flashcards
Weather
Convection Cells
Convection Cells- (Hadley Cells) *Located at the equator.
- warm air picks up the moisture
- as the air rises it begins to cool
- Cool air releases moisture (rain)
- Since the cooler air is denser , it sinks towards the surface.
- As the cool air sinks - it heats up again.
Rain shadow Effect
How some deserts are created.
-When a topographical feature such as a mountain range prevents precipitation on one side of the mountain- creating a desert / arid landscape (other side of the mountain is lush)
How does the tilt of the earth affect seasons
- Earth axis is not straight
- Tilt of the earth is @ a 23.5 degree angle
- Affects the seasons of the year in a given hemisphere
- From June -Sept. Northern hemisphere gets most sun .
- From Nov-Feb. Southern hemisphere gets most sun.
What latitude receives the most concentrated amount of solar energy ? How does this affect the climate at this latitiude?
Equator - Sun rays hit the earth directly mostly amount of energy per unit of area is greater or more concentrated= its warm all year long/day length is roughly 12 hrs. long
Why does it rain so much in the tropics ? Explain by describing behavior of convection cells
In the tropics the warm moist air rises - turns to clouds - which then rains.
What kind of climate is at the 30 degree latitude ? Explain by describing behavior of convection cells ?
at a 30 degree latitude the climate is hotter ( desert zones)
El Nino
weather pattern that occurs every 2-8 years caused by a shift in atmospheric pressure, sea surface temp. and ocean circulation in the tropical Pacific Ocean
- trade winds from the eastern pacific weaken.
- Warmer water from western pacific flows eastward
- Temp. of water in east pacific increases heating the surrounding air = more rain
- drought conditions in the west pacific (Australia, Indonesia)
- Normal upwelling in Eastern pacific is depressed , less nutrients to the sea life.
Upwellings
- Frequent off the coast of South America and even California.
- caused by ocean and wind currents moving water away from the coast ( causing deeper water to rise )
- nutrients are @ the bottom of the ocean
- when they’re brought up it allows growth productivity.
- organisms higher on the food chain also benefit from this explosion
Biomes
Regions of the earth characterized by a distinct climate and assemblage of plants and animals adapted to that region. Major Biomes - -Tundra -Taiga (Boreal Forest) -Temperature Desidious forests -Grassland -Chapparal Mediterranean -Deserts -Tropical Rainforests
Tundra
Northernmost Biome: Permafrost - part of subsoil that remains frozen all year long. -Short growing season -Low Growing plants (can't support trees due to soil) -Low Biodiversity -fairly low productivity -Animals : Musk ox, Wolves, Arctic Hare -Plants: Lichen , Mosses
Taiga
-Characterized by pine forest
-occurs in Alaska , Canada , Russia , Sweden , and Finland
-Slightly longer growing season than Tundra
- Animals : Moose, Bears
- Plants : Pine trees , other conifers
(Known as boreal forest )
Temperature Deciduous Forest
Characterized by deciduous trees
- Eastern U.S , Japan , Eastern China , and most of Europe
- Rich Soil
- 4 distinct seasons
- Warmer climate and more rainfall than more northern biomes
- Animals : Squirrels , Foxes, Deers
- Plants : Maples , Sycamores , Elms, Oaks , and Ferns
Grasslands
Relatively low rainfall
-In North America - hot summers / cold winters
-Occurs in center of continents of North America , South America , Africa, and Asia
-Dominated by grasses , few trees or shrubs.
- Animals - Coyotes , wolves , buffalo , antelope.
Other common names - prairie , savannah , llanos , pampas , steppes
Chapparal / Mediterannean
warm / dry summers / and wet winters.
-generally occurs , along south western portions of the continents
- Ex: Cali , Italy , Spain , Chile , South Africa , South West Australia.
-Also known as chaparral / coastal sage scrub in Southern California
-Animals: Coyotes , Packrats , Lizards , Deer , Quail.
Plants : Scrubs oaks, sage brush , manzanita , toyon.
Deserts
- Lowest rainfall / hot temperatures
- low vegetation , very drought resistant
- created by connection cells or rain shadow effect.
- Plants - Cacti , succulents , creosotes , Joshua trees
- Animals - Kit foxes , kangaroo rats , lizards , rattlesnakes.
