1. Chapter 4: Ecosystems and Communities

2. 4-1: The Role of Climate

3. CA Standard: 6.5e: Climate affects the number and types of organisms that live in an ecosystem.

4. KEY CONCEPT Climate is a key abiotic factor that affects the biosphere.

5. What is Climate? Weather: Day-to-day condition of earth’s atmosphere.
Clear, sunny one day, but cold and cloudy the next.

6. Climate is the long-term pattern of weather conditions.
average temperature
precipitation
Key factors shape an area’s climate.
sunlight
temperature
water
wind

7. The Greenhouse Effect

8. Carbon dioxide, water vapor, and a few other gases trap heat energy and maintain Earth’s temperature range. These gases act like a greenhouse. This is called the greenhouse effect.

9. Sunlight
Some heat escapes into space
If greenhouse gases were not present in the atmosphere, Earth would be much cooler (30 C)
Greenhouse gases trap some heat
Greenhouse gases trap some heat
Atmosphere
Earth’s Surface

10. The Effect of Latitude on Climate
Solar radiation strikes different parts of Earth’s surface at an angle that varies throughout the year.
At the equator, energy from the sun strikes Earth almost directly.
At the North and South Poles, the sun’s rays strike Earth’s surface at a lower angle.

11. Earth has three main climate zones:
The three main zones are the polar, tropical, and temperate climates.
polar climate: the far northern and southern regions of earth.
tropical zone: surrounds the equator.
temperate zone: the wide area in between the polar and tropical zones.

12. Earth’s Main Climate Zones
90°N North Pole
Sunlight
Polar
66.5°N
Arctic Circle
Temperate
Sunlight
Tropic of Cancer
23.5°N
Equator
Most direct sunlight 0°
Tropical
Tropic of Capricorn
23.5°S
Sunlight
Temperate
Antarctic Circle
66.5°S
Sunlight
Polar
90°S South Pole
The angle of the Sun’s rays help determine an area’s climate.

13. you would have to get used to
Did you know?
If you lived at the north pole, you would have 24 hours of daylight during the summer.
During the winter,
you would have to get used to
24 hours of darkness!

14. North pole in winter, Lunchtime
 
North pole in winter, Lunchtime

15. Earth’s tilt on its axis plays a role in seasonal change.
If the earth was not tilted, there would be no seasons.

17. Heat Transport in the Biosphere
Unequal heating of Earth’s surface drives winds and ocean currents, which transport heat throughout the biosphere.
Warm air over the equator rises, while cooler air over the poles sinks toward the ground.
The upward and downward movement of air creates air currents, or winds, that move heat throughout the atmosphere.

20. The Earth’s polar zones are cold because
they are never heated by the sun.
at the poles, the sun's rays are at a very low angle.
the greenhouse effect does not occur at the poles.
heat is transported from the poles to the equator.

21. The upward movement of warm air and the downward movement of cool air creates
upwellings.
air currents.
ocean currents.
the greenhouse effect.

22. Earth's temperature range is maintained by
the greenhouse effect.
climate zones.
ocean currents and winds.
latitude differences.

23. Variation of temperature in the temperate zone is due primarily to
air and ocean currents.
the greenhouse effect.
variation in the sun’s energy production.
latitude and season.

24. The tropical zone is warm all year long because
the sun’s angle changes the most in that part of Earth.
ocean water is warmest near the equator.
it receives direct or nearly direct sunlight year-round.
landmasses in the tropic latitudes hold on to heat.

25. Landmasses shape inland climates.
larger changes in temperatures
less precipitation
Oceans shape coastal climates.
smaller changes in temperatures
higher humidity
more precipitation

26. Mountains have an effect on climate.
Precipitation occurs on the side of the mountain facing the wind.
On the downwind side, drier and cooler air produce a rain shadow.
A rain shadow is an area of decreased precipitation.
western slope
eastern slope

27. High Desert (Victorville)
San Bernardino
High Desert (Victorville)

28. Rain shadow: The lack of rainfall on one side of a mountain range.
Hesperia
Rain shadow: The lack of rainfall on one side of a mountain range.
San Bernardino