Climates and Ecosystems Chapter 2 Climates and Ecosystems

 Bell ringer  In what ways has weather influenced your life since you left school yesterday? ________________________________________________________________________________

Objectives SWBAT- Describe how weather and climate are affected by the relative positions of the earth and sun Explain how wind and ocean currents redistribute the sun’s heat List factors that influence the world’s climate regions Summarize why climate change is a cause for concern

“Climate is what you expect; weather is what you get” Weather- is the condition of the bottom layer of the earth’s atmosphere in one place over ______________________________________ Climate – weather patterns that an area experiences ______________________________________ “Climate is what you expect; weather is what you get”

Greenhouse effect – the earth’s atmosphere ____________________________________________

Rotation v. Revolution ______________ – the earth spinning on its axis (24 hours) ______________ – the earth revolution around the sun (365 ¼ days)

Latitude v. climate ** Latitude – distance from the equator closer to equator = _____________________ farther away = ___________________ Precipitation – all forms of moisture that falls to the earth

Distribution of the Sun’s Heat Process of Convection – in both air and water Warm rises, cold falls Wind, Wind Patterns, Currents

 Partner  question What do houseplants need to stay healthy? Answer: ________________________________________________________________________________ In the wild, plants survive without help from humans. Why would they need help when they are in a house? Answer: ____________________________________________________________________________

Influences on Climate Nearby Bodies of Water Land (quick change) and water (slow change ) store heat differently Wind blowing over water – milder temp. Wind blowing over land is usually much colder Elevation – higher the elevation, ________ the temperature Nearby Landforms - mountains, desert, lakes, forests, even tall buildings effect temperature

Changing Climate Global warming – rise in the earth’s temperature

Ecosystems Is formed by the interaction of plant life, animal life, and the physical environment in which they live Environmental change Change in one aspect of an ecosystem leads to other change Biomes - Major types of ________________ that can be found in various regions

Forest Regions Tropical Rain Forest Near equator Mid-Latitude Forest Deciduous – __________________________________________ - Coniferous Forest - ____________________________________________ Other types of Forests -mixed has both deciduous and coniferous Chaparral – small evergreens and low bushes

Grasslands Tropical Grasslands Savannas – ___________________ Herbivores – _____________ eater Carnivores – _____________ eater Temperate Grasslands Cooler parts of world Prairies – N. America

Scarcity of water and extreme temperatures Tundra Desert Scarcity of water and extreme temperatures Tundra Cool or cold temperatures Specialized plants Permafrost – ____________________________________________________________________________

Partner Questions Why do regions near the equator have warmer climates than the northern and southern poles? Answer: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Why do the temperate zones have greater temperature ranges than the polar or tropical zones? Answer: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________