1. Why does Earth have different biomes?
Climate determines the distribution of biomes
The Earth’s global climate patterns are determined by the input of solar energy and the planet’s movement in space
Student Misconceptions and Concerns
1. Students may confuse the terms ecology and environmentalism. The science of ecology and the environmental issues that it often raises are related but distinct processes.
Teaching Tips
1. Module 34.5 discusses the reasons why Earth’s tilt causes seasons. Consider challenging your students, perhaps as a short in-class activity, to explain why it is typically cooler (a) further away from the equator, and (b) during the winter months. Although you may not want to use class time on this activity every year, collecting student responses before your students read or learn about this in class can reveal misconceptions and areas of misunderstanding that will help direct your teaching for years to come.
Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.

2. Why does Earth have different biomes?
Solar radiation varies with latitude—north and south
Most climatic variations are due to the uneven heating of Earth’s surface
Student Misconceptions and Concerns
1. Students may confuse the terms ecology and environmentalism. The science of ecology and the environmental issues that it often raises are related but distinct processes.
Teaching Tips
1. Module 34.5 discusses the reasons why Earth’s tilt causes seasons. Consider challenging your students, perhaps as a short in-class activity, to explain why it is typically cooler (a) further away from the equator, and (b) during the winter months. Although you may not want to use class time on this activity every year, collecting student responses before your students read or learn about this in class can reveal misconceptions and areas of misunderstanding that will help direct your teaching for years to come.
Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.

3. North Pole 60°N Low angle of incoming sunlight 30°N Tropic of Cancer
Sunlight strikes
most directly
0° (equator)
Tropic of
Capricorn
30°S
Figure 34.5A How solar radiation varies with latitude.
Low angle of
incoming sunlight
60°S
South Pole
Atmosphere

4. Why does Earth have different biomes?
The Earth’s tilt causes the seasons
The seasons of the year result from the permanent tilt of the plant on its axis as it orbits the sun
Student Misconceptions and Concerns
1. Students may confuse the terms ecology and environmentalism. The science of ecology and the environmental issues that it often raises are related but distinct processes.
Teaching Tips
1. Module 34.5 discusses the reasons why Earth’s tilt causes seasons. Consider challenging your students, perhaps as a short in-class activity, to explain why it is typically cooler (a) further away from the equator, and (b) during the winter months. Although you may not want to use class time on this activity every year, collecting student responses before your students read or learn about this in class can reveal misconceptions and areas of misunderstanding that will help direct your teaching for years to come.
Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.

5. March equinox (equator faces June solstice sun directly) (Northern
Hemisphere tilts
toward sun)
Constant tilt
of 23.5°
Figure 34.5B How Earth’s tilt causes the seasons.
December
solstice
(Northern
Hemisphere tilts
away from sun)
September
equinox

6. Temperate broadleaf forest Polar ice Desert Coniferous forest
Arctic
circle
60°N
30°N
Tropic of
Cancer
Equator
Tropic of
Capricorn
30°S
Figure 34.8 Major terrestrial biomes.
Tropical forest
Temperate grassland
High mountains
Savanna
Temperate broadleaf forest
Polar ice
Desert
Coniferous forest
Chaparral
Tundra

7. Desert
Figure Desert.

8. Savanna
Figure Savanna.

9. Chaparral
Figure Chaparral.

10. Tropical Rainforest
Figure 34.9 Tropical rain forest.

11. Temperate Grassland
Figure Temperate grassland.

12. Coniferous Forest (Tiaga)
Figure Coniferous forest.

13. Temperate Deciduous Forest
Figure Temperate broadleaf forest.

14. Tundra

15. What connects all of Earth’s biomes?

16. The Water Cycle Solar heat Net movement of water vapor by wind
over the land
Water vapor
over the sea
Precipitation
over the land
Precipitation
over the sea
Evaporation
from the sea
Evaporation
and
transpiration
Oceans
Figure The global water cycle.
Surface
water and
groundwater
Flow of water
from land to sea

17. The Water Cycle
Figure The global water cycle.