Learning targets 19.Describe how the sun’s energy causes global climate patterns and leads to a variety of biomes.

Climate Weather—daily conditions Climate—average conditions Temperature Precipitation

Climate: Greenhouse Effect Atmospheric gases trap heat energy Examples CO 2 CH 4 H 2 O

Climate: Latitude Angle of sunlight makes a difference Polar zones: Low angle Less energy absorption Temperate zones Changing angle of sun— seasons Tropical Angle of sun almost constant

Climate: Heat Transport Unequal heating (air/water) causes currents Warm air/water rises Cool air/water sinks Creates prevailing winds Creates ocean currents

Climate: Landmasses Landmasses can interfere with currents Mountains Deserts Etc.

Ecosystems: More on Interactions Intraspecific competition Between members of same species Very intense Interspecific competition Between members of different species Less intense

Biomes Complex of ecosystems Characterized by soil and climate Generally named for plants Microclimate Small local variations in climate

Tropical Rain Forest Climate Hot/wet all year Poor soil Plants Evergreen trees, vines, ferns Wildlife Insects, carnivores

Savannah/Grassland Climate Warm, seasonal rain, frequent fires (lightning) Plants Perennial grasses, small shrubs Wildlife Grazers, BIG cats, etc. Ex: Africa

Desert Climate: Low rainfall (less than 10 inches a year) Days hot, nights cold Plants: Succulents (hold water) Animals Active during night when it’s cooler Predators use poisons & toxins to preserve energy

Taiga Biome Largest land biome!! Climate Cold winters (ave temp below freezing) & lots of snow Summers warmer (days longer) & rainy Plants Conifers (evergreens) cluster together for warmth Few deciduous trees Animals Summer: lots of birds & insects Year-round: rabbits, small birds, lynx & bobcats

Tundra Climate VERY COLD!!! Soil frozen!!! Top layer thaws during summer when the sun shines for almost 24 hrs/day!!! Plants Only small plants like grasses or small bushes Animals Insects, migrating animals (caribou), penguins

Deciduous Forest Climate Seasonal variation Plants Broad-leaf trees lose leaves during winter Grasses and shrub either bloom before trees or live on the edge of forest Animals Deer, rabbits, bears, mice, squirrels, foxes, bears, cougars, etc

Missouri What type of Biome do we live in? What phase of succession would the our plant life be in? What effect are we having on our biome?

LT 19 Learning Check The greatest annual input and least seasonal variation in solar radiation occurs in the A)polar regions. B)temperate zones. C) Southern Hemisphere. D) tropics.