Earth’s SEASONS Different parts of the earth receive direct rays of the sun for more hours of the day at certain times of the year Causes changing seasons Summer solstice is the longest day of the year Winter solstice is the shortest day of the year Equinox- days and nights are equal in length

18. and 19.

CLIMATE FACTORS Latitude (think climate zones) Wind currents- spread the sun’s heat (Coriolis Effect) Proximity to large body of water (remember moderation) Elevation (remember it’s cold in the mountains) Topography (ex. rain shadow)

WIND CURRENTS Hot air flows toward the poles and cold air moves toward the equator

20. #20

OCEAN CURRENTS Warm water flows away from equator toward the poles Large, circular systems Warm water flows away from equator toward the poles Cold water flows back towards the equator

A climograph shows precipitation and temperature for a specific region Moosonee, ON Phoenix, AZ

Climate Zones Cancer Capricorn

Polar regions- area on Earth by the poles, very cold temperatures Low-Latitude/Tropical regions- area on Earth on the Equator, very hot temperatures Climate Regions Mid-Latitude/Temperate regions- area on Earth between the poles and above Cancer or below Capricorn, warm summers and cool winters

Biomes of the Earth Students will be able to explain the influence of climate on the distribution of biomes in different regions.

What is a “biome”? A biome is a large geographical area of distinctive plant and animal groups, which are adapted to that particular environment. The climate and geography of a region determines what type of biome can exist in that region. Copy this.

Qualities of a Biome Water – how much, what kind Temperature - average Soil – rock and/or poor vs. fertile Plants -- types Animals -- types

TYPES OF BIOMES… AQUATIC BIOMES (water) Freshwater Freshwater wetlands Marine Coral reef Estuaries TERRESTRIAL BIOMES (earth): Tundra Rainforest Savanna Taiga Temperate forest Temperate grassland Alpine Chaparral Desert Polar, Temperate, Tropical, and Desert

Rainforest - Dense forests of different tree species; unique plants/animals living in balance.

Savanna (Grassland) - Flat regions with few trees; grassy, many animals

Temperate Forests Biome Temperate Forests – Deciduous forest or mixed forests, many lose their leaves annually.

Deserts – Plants/animals that conserve water and withstand heat; ex Deserts – Plants/animals that conserve water and withstand heat; ex. cacti,

Taiga Biome Taiga - Sub-arctic coniferous (pine tree) forests; huge temperature variations between summer and winter.

Tundra Biome Tundra - Flat, treeless lands around the Arctic Ocean; permafrost, summer short and cool.

Research and Create poster As a group, draw your biome, indicating the major factors of a biome. Your poster Should demonstrate: Water Temperature Soil Plants Animals Areas of the globe where it exists!!! Title Effects of Man on the Biome Notate the factors of your biome in your notebook.

Chart for notebook Biome Temp Soil Plants Found Where Water Animals Polar -Tundra -Taiga Temperate -Forest -Grassland Tropical Desert Copy this.

Gallery Walk Take a stroll and fill in your chart using the research of your peers!

Ultimate Chart Biome Water Temp Soil Plants Animals Found Where Polar -Tundra -Taiga Dry Very Cold Perma-frost Mosses & Lichens Migrating High Latitudes Temperate -Forest -Grassland Wet & Dry Cool Winters, Hot Summer Fertile Grasses, trees, Many mammals Mid Latitudes Tropical Very Wet Always Warm Poor Many plants Low Latitudes Desert <10” Hot or Cold Cactus & Sparse Reptiles, spiders, insects All over Check your work.

Take the Quiz as a Class! To Plant or Not to Plant – Biome Match http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Experiments/ Biome/