1. Ecosystems, Climate & Quality of Life 6 th Grade

2. Ecosystems: a Community of living and non-living things  Sunlight is the source of energy for all ecosystems!  Food Chains begin with plants that the sun gives energy to so that they can produce their own food. Ecosystems

3. Everything in the natural world is connected. An ecosystem is a community of living and non- living things Examples :

4. Climate  Climate  Climate is the average weather in a place over many years. While the weather can change in just a few hours, climate takes hundreds, thousands, even millions of years to change. Climate

5. What effects climate?  What effects climate?  Water  Currents  Latitude  Location relative to mountain ranges  Elevation  Prevailing Winds http://eo.ucar.edu/kids/green/warming5.htm Factors on Climate

6. Largest effect on a Coastal City’s Climate  What effects city’s on the coast the most?  Water  Ocean Currents Coastal City

7. Ft. Lauderdale, FL Coastal Cities Example Coronado Island, CA

8. Waters effect on Climate  Water’s effects on climate  Affects the humidity of the region  Locations nearer coastlines have cooler temperatures in the summer.  Larger bodies of water may increase snowfall during the winter. Water and Climate

9. Currents effect on Climate  Ocean Currents effect’s on the climate  Changes the humidity  Changes the temperature Currents and Climate

10. Largest Effects on a City’s Climate  What effects climate in a city the most?  Location relative to mountain ranges  Latitude  Location relative to prevailing winds In the City

11. Denver, Co Phoenix, AZ Bismarck, ND City Examples

12. Latitudes effect on Climate  Latitude  Temperature ranges increase as distance from the equator increases. Latitude

13. Elevation and Climate  Elevation  Temperature decreases with height. Elevation

14. Quality of Life  What effects’ quality of life?  Smog  Water quality  Population Density  Global Warming Quality of Life

15.  Smog  Smog: may cause lung damage (respiratory problem)

16.  Poor Water Quality  most likely spreads contagious diseases.  May harm organisms living in rivers and lakes

17.  Population Density  (too many people): limits available resources.  Decreases availability of fresh water.

18.  Global Warming  Increase sea levels

19.  Climate Change  Climate change may cause droughts which can lead to famine.

20. Water Cycle Review Water cycle review

21. The End