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Published byLaurence Goodman Modified over 8 years ago
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CLIMATE
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What is Climate? Climate is the average conditions of temperature and precipitation in a particular area. Caused by many factors including: Greenhouse Effect Latitude Winds and ocean currents Land Masses Elevation
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Greenhouse Effect The greenhouse effect occurs when heat is retained by a layer of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases include: Carbon dioxide Methane Water vapor Without these gases, Earth would be 30 ⁰ C cooler than it currently is.
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Effects of Latitude Because Earth is a sphere that is tilted on its axis, solar radiation strikes different parts of the Earth’s surface at an angle that varies throughout the year. Different latitudes on the earth receive different amounts of light.
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Climate Zones There are three main climate zones: Polar zones Cold areas where the sun’s rays strike Earth at a very low angle Between 67 ⁰ and 90 ⁰ North and South Temperate zones More affected by the changing angle of the sun Ranges from hot to cold depending on the season Between Polar Zones and Tropical Zones Tropical zones Receive direct or nearly direct sunlight year-round Between 24 ⁰ N and 24 ⁰ S.
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Winds Unequal heating of the Earth’s surface creates winds. At the equator, the air is heated and rises. At the poles, the air is cool and sinks. This movement of air causes heat to move through different regions.
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Ocean Currents Like winds, ocean currents are caused by unequal heating of the Earth’s surface Warm water at the equator rises to the surface, while cool water at the pools sinks to the ocean floor. Surface water is moved around by winds. Ocean currents transport heat energy within the biosphere and affect the temperature of the air above them.
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Land Masses Air travels with the winds in specific patterns These patterns can be disturbed by land masses. Mountain ranges cause moist air to rise As it rises, it cools and moisture condenses causing precipitation When the air reaches the far side of the mountain, it has already lost most of its moisture This results in what’s called a “rain shadow” which is an area with dry climate on the far side of the mountain.
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Elevation As you increase in elevation, the atmosphere becomes thinner. As air expands, it cools Less atmosphere to hold in heat Less atmosphere to protect against the suns rays
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BIOMES
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Climate vs. Microclimate Climate is the average conditions of temperature and precipitation in a particular area. Microclimate: the climate within a small area that differs significantly from the area around it.
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Major Biomes Temperate grassland Tropical savanna Desert Temperate forest Tropical rainforest Taiga (boreal forest) Tundra
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Major Biomes
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Temperate grassland Rich mix of grasses Fertile soil Warm/hot summers Cold Winters Large herbivores
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Tropical savanna Covered with grasses Scattering of trees Compact soil Seasonal rainfall Frequent Fires
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Desert Dry (25cm or less) Sandy soils Cacti and bushes Small mammals &reptiles
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Temperate forest Cold winters Warm summers Year round precipitation Fertile soils
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Tropical rainforest Hot and wet Nutrient poor soils Dense wildlife
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Taiga (boreal forest) Long, cold winters Short, mild summers Moderate precipitation High humidity Primarily coniferous forests
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Tundra Strong winds Low precipitation Short and soggy summers Long, cold, dark winters Permafrost
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