Week 6 - Overview Flashcards
Describe the nature of the global atmospheric circulation patterns
Explain the main processes that drive the earth’s atmospheric system
Explain regional/continental scale climatic systems such as monsoons
Explain how topography can affect climates at the local and regional scale
Describe the Köppen climate classification scheme and how they correlate with Earth biomes
The Köppen climate classification divides climates into five main climate groups, with each group being divided based on seasonal precipitation and temperature patterns. The five main groups are A (tropical), B (dry), C (temperate), D (continental), and E (polar). Each group and subgroup is represented by a letter.
Define ‘biome’ and list the main biomes found on the planet
Biome - encapsulates the fundamental relationship between climate and vegetation
A definable geographic area classified and mapped according to:
- predominant vegetation and organisms
- of the particular environment (climate dominant)
- each biome is a distinct ecosystem with particular plant, animal and microorganism communities linked by energy and nutrient flows
i.e. different biomes have different system “settings” primarily controlled by climate
Describe and explain the natural environmental factors that determine the various biomes
- predominant vegetation and organisms
- of the particular environment (climate dominant)
- each biome is a distinct ecosystem with particular plant, animal and microorganism communities linked by energy and nutrient flows
Draw links between climate and biomes, particularly with respect to vegetation
The weather and climatic zones that develop out from the different latitudes in relation to the cells (hadley, polar and ferrell), following that temperature and rainfall determines how to control a lot of vegetation formations and soil development
Identify and explain how various plant adaptations enable them to survive in the conditions in which they are distributed naturally
