Ecosystems and the Physical Environment Chapter 5
Solar Radiation
Temperature Changes with Latitude Like equator Like at poles
Solar Radiation Temperature Changes with Season
The Atmosphere Composition Nitrogen78% Oxygen21% Carbon dioxide Argon Water vapor Pollutants Helium Etc. 1%
The Atmosphere Layers of the Atmosphere
The Atmosphere Atmospheric Circulation Circulation spawned by heating / cooling Prevailing winds Generated by pressure differences and Coriolis effect
The Atmosphere The Coriolis Effect
The Global Ocean Patterns of Circulation in the Ocean
The Global Ocean Patterns of Circulation in the Ocean Influenced by: 1) Coriolis Effect 2) Land Masses
The Global Ocean Vertical Mixing of Ocean Water
The Global Ocean Ocean Interactions with the Atmosphere: Effects of El Nino El Nino: periodic warming of tropical eastern Pacific La Nina: periodic cooling of tropical eastern Pacific
The Global Ocean Ocean Interactions with the Atmosphere: Upwelling This decreases during El Niño Increases during La Niña
Weather and Climate Examine the definitions for climate and weather. What is wrong with the following statement? “Global warming cannot be occurring, we had a very cool summer.”
Weather and Climate Rain shadows Insert Fig 5.19 b
Weather and Climate Severe weather events: 1) Tornados Source: University of Wyoming, Department of Atmospheric Science Frequency of tornados annually per 100,000 km 2 Tornado Alley (US)40 Sydney, Australia8 United Kingdom1 Bangledesh0.6
Weather and Climate Severe weather events: 2) Tropical cyclones Atlantic Ocean = hurricanes Pacific Ocean = typhoons Indian Ocean = cyclones
Weather and Climate But, all are the same severe weather event:
Internal Planetary Processes Plate tectonics Continental Drift
Internal Planetary Processes Plate boundaries
Internal Planetary Processes Plate boundaries
Internal Planetary Processes Volcanoes Most volcanoes occur along subduction zones
Internal Planetary Processes Volcanoes Some occur along spreading zones Few, such as Hawaiian Islands, not associated with plates. (hot spots)
Internal Planetary Processes Earthquakes caused by release of built up stress, typically along faults movement releases seismic waves Typical side effects include: 1) Landslides 2) Tsunamis
Cycling of Materials within Ecosystems Basics of biogeochemical cycling
Cycling of Materials within Ecosystems Hydrologic (water) cycle:
Cycling of Materials within Ecosystems Carbon cycle:
Cycling of Materials within Ecosystems Nitrogen cycle: Atmospheric nitrogen (N 2 ) Nitrogen fixation by humans Biological nitrogen fixation Nitrification NH 3 & NH 4 - NO 3 - Assimilation Denitrification Plant & animal proteins Decomposition (ammonification) Internal cycling
Cycling of Materials within Ecosystems Phosphorus cycle: Phosphate rocks Phosphate mining Fertilizer containing phosphates Animals, crops Soil phosphates Internal cycling Erosion Dissolved phosphates Marine organisms Excretion / decomposition Internal cycling Marine sediments
Cycling of Materials within Ecosystems Sulfur cycle: