Download presentation
Presentation is loading. Please wait.
1
Climate and Terrestrial Biodiversity
Chapter 7
2
Connections between Wind, Climate, and Biomes
Indirect form of solar energy Circulates Heat Moisture Plant nutrients Soil particles (phosphates) Long-lived air pollutants
3
What Factors Influence Climate?
Concept An area's climate is determined mostly by solar radiation earth’s rotation global patterns of air and water movement gases in the atmosphere earth’s surface features.
4
Different Climates Weather – short lived and localized
Climate – long and broad ranging Air circulation in lower atmosphere due to 1. Uneven heating of the earth’s surface by the sun (equator receives more) 2. Rotation of the earth on its axis (create prevailing winds due to heat rising) 3. Properties of air, water, and land (evaporation transfers heat from water to atmosphere)
5
Global Air Circulation
Prevailing winds can direct ocean currents Global Air Circulation
6
The Earth Has Many Different Climates
Currents Prevailing winds Earth’s rotation Redistribution of heat from the sun Link between air circulation, ocean currents, and biomes
7
Greenhouse Gases Warm the Lower Atmosphere
(heat lower atmosphere) H2O water vapor CO2 carbon dioxide CH4 methane N2O nitrous oxide Greenhouse effect (natural warming) Human-enhanced global warming (burning fossil fuels, agriculture, & clearing forests)
8
The Earth’s Surface Features Affect Local Climates
Heat absorption by land and water Effect of Mountains Rain shadow effect Cities create microclimates (bricks, asphalt, tall buildings) Sierra Nevada Mountains Mojave Desert
9
How Does Climate Affect the Nature and Locations of Biomes?
Differences in average annual precipitation and temperature lead to the formation of Tropical Temperate Cold deserts this variety creates biodiversity Grasslands Forests and largely determine their locations.
10
Climate Affects Where Organisms Can Live
Major biomes Latitude and elevation Annual precipitation Temperature
11
Staying Alive in the Desert
Plant adaptations Drop leaves Store water in fleshy (cactus) areas Needles protect against being eaten Transpiration occurs at night Shallow, spread out roots for fast water absorption Waxy layer (cuticle) Animal strategies and adaptations Small Scales seal in water Burrow Little urination Nocturnal
12
Three Major Types of Deserts
Tropical deserts Temperate deserts Cold deserts Fragile ecosystem Slow plant growth Low species diversity Slow nutrient recycling Lack of water
13
Three Major Types of Grasslands
Tropical Savanna Grazing / browsing animals Temperate Tall-grass prairies Short-grass prairies Arctic/Alpine tundra fragile biome Small/short plants Permafrost Seasonal droughts Frequent fires limit trees 3. Herbivores 4. Frozen soil
14
Temperate Shrubland: Nice Climate, Risky Place to Live
Chaparral Near the sea: nice climate Prone to fires in the dry season FOREST FIRES IN CALIFORNIA
15
There Are Three Major Types of Forests (2)
Tropical rain forests NPP Temperature and moisture Stratification of specialized plant and animal niches Little wind: significance Rapid recycling of scarce soil nutrients Impact of human activities Temperate deciduous forests Broad-leaf trees Slow rate of decomposition: significance Evergreen coniferous forests: boreal / taigas Few species of cone: bearing trees Slow decomposition: significance Temperate rain forest
16
Mountains Play Important Ecological Roles
Majority of the world’s forests Habitats for endemic species (unique to that area) Help regulate the earth’s climate (reflecting heat off snow tops) Can affect sea levels – glacial ice Major storehouses of water (role in hydrologic cycle)
17
Texas is Unique
18
Natural Capital Degradation
--impact by humans
Similar presentations
© 2025 SlidePlayer.com. Inc.
All rights reserved.