Variation in the earths climate

Question 1

Key components of climate

Answer 1

Temperature, Precipitation, Sunlight, Wind

Question 2

What is latitudinal variation in sunlight intensity

Answer 2

The angle at which sunlight reaches earth increases with latitude, therefore the same amount of energy is distributed over larger area further away from the equator

Question 3

why does seasonality occur

Answer 3

It occurs due to the tilt in the earths axis, the further from the equator the stronger the seasonality. Doesnt just affect climate, affects activity patterns of day-active and nocturnal organisms

Question 4

What do oceans do for the planet

Answer 4

provide moisture (increased precipitation), distribute heat/cold with currents, affect climate of nearby land (via warmth/cold), and the salinity plays an active role in moving heat and driving Earth’s weather and climate

Question 5

what do mountains do for our planet

Answer 5

influence airflow over land, are wet on the windward side and dry on leeward side (causing deserts)

Question 6

what does vegetation do for our planet

Answer 6

absorbs solar radiation for photosynthesis, more photosynth=more transpiration (returns more water to atmosphere and surface cools). Overall effect: lower temp, more precip.

Question 7

Transition zones within biomes are known as

Answer 7

Ecotones

Question 8

major factors of climate and terrestrial biomes are

Answer 8

temperature and precipitation

Question 9

Conditions of biomes along the equator

Answer 9

warm with little seasonal variation, chapparal hot summers, mild winters