1. The role of climate Ecology unit 3 lecture 1

2. What is climate? Climate: average, year-round conditions in a region Weather: the day-to-day conditions of the atmosphere

3. Greenhouse effect Heat from the sun warms the earth, then is reflected away at night. Gases in the atmosphere (CO 2, CH 4, H 2 O vapor) maintain the earth’s temperature by reflecting heat back towards the surface

4. Latitude and climate The tilt of the earth causes uneven heating Tropical, temperate, and arctic climate zones radiate from the equator to the poles

5. Heat transport Heated air rises, then descends as it cools, creating winds Prevailing winds bring warm or cold air to a region

6. Ocean currents Wind blowing over the oceans and different water temps. within an ocean create oceanic currents.

7. Land masses Continents or mountain ranges can block air or water movement Rain shadows form on the downwind side of mountain ranges, creating deserts

8. Why are there different climate zones on the earth? How do the atmosphere and the oceans transport heat from the equator to other regions? How do the gases in our atmosphere warm our planet?