1. Climates and Ecosystems
Chapter 2
Climates and Ecosystems

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

3. 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

4. “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”

5. Greenhouse effect – the earth’s atmosphere ____________________________________________

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

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

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

9.  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: ____________________________________________________________________________

10. 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

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

13. 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

14. 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

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

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

17. 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: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________