Do Now 10/16: On scrap paper…write your name and date. How is wind formed?

What are we learning about today? N_7cgwHmQ

Ocean Currents Ocean currents influence climate by distributing heat from place to place and mixing and distributing nutrients.

Bill Nye 1HYFg

Ocean Currents Oceans absorb heat from the air circulation patterns This heat and differences in water density create warm and cold currents. Continents affect flow and cause currents to flow clockwise in the northern hemisphere and counter-clockwise in the southern hemisphere

Ocean Currents Cont’d Driven by winds, the earth’s rotation, and salinity currents help redistribute heat and influence climate and vegetation – (especially near costal areas) Ocean currents also mix ocean waters and distribute nutrients and dissolve oxygen

NASA: Ocean Currents Video 1HYFg

Do Now 10/17 No Do Now

Topography and Local Climate: Land Matters Interactions between land and oceans affect local climates. Heat is absorbed more slowly by water than by land creating land and sea breezes. Ex. Of how land affects the environment – Monsoons, Cities, Mountains Figure 5-8

Fig. 5-8, p. 105 Prevailing winds pick up moisture from an ocean. Dry habitats Moist habitats On the leeward side of the mountain range, air descends, warms, and Releases little moisture. On the windward side of a mountain range, air rises, cools, and releases moisture. Rain Shadow Effect

BIOMES: CLIMATE AND LIFE ON LAND Different climates lead to different communities of organisms, especially vegetation. – Biomes – large terrestrial regions characterized by similar climate, soil, plants, and animals. – Each biome contains many ecosystems whose communities have adapted to differences in climate, soil, and other environmental factors.

Sharing a Text Book 1.) Use figure 5-2 on pg. 101 to find the climate of the area you live in. 2.)Use figure 5-9 on pg. 106 to find what your biome should be for the area you live in. 3.) Use pages S12-S15 to the affect of our ecological foot print in the area you live in.