global distribution

global distribution

1. where?

   • high altitudes
     • Himalayas
   • high latitudes
     • Polar regions 90*
       • North Pole
     • arctic circle 66 1/2*
       • Norway
     • Tundra
       • Russia
     • maritime
       • Southern Ocean

2. why?

   • Latitude
     • further form the equator - sun's less concentrated
     • atmosphere absorbs suns' energy
       • more atmosphere at the top of the earth
         • colder further north
   • altitude
     • 100m = 6.4* drop
       • environmental lapse rate
     • less pressure, oxygen (atmosphere)
       • less insolation absorbed
     • less surface area at the top
       • less heat absorbed
   • albedo rate
     • ratio between insolation and reflection
       • snow reflects 80% of heat
         • so colder
   • ocean currents
     • Gulf Stream
       • carries warm salty water to UK
         • less dense as less salt
         • on surface
       • ice is freshwater
         • deposits salt which makes water dense
           • sinks then returns to the equator
   • earth's axis
     • reduced insolation
       • tilted on 22.5 - 24.5*
       • elliptical cycle
   • wind
     • transfer of heat - brings different weathers
     • hot air rises cold air fills the gap
   • land and sea
     • specific thermal heat capacity
       • diff things need more heat to warm
         • sea needs more
           • deeper
           • moving
           • transparent so absorbs to depth
           • sea breeze - as cooler

3. Canada case study

   • basics
     • tundra
       • subsoil permanently frozen
       • 60 - 75* latitude
   • climate
     • -27*C (Feb) - 7*C (July)
     • 20mm (Feb) - 65mm (Aug)
     • Summer
       • full daylight
     • Winter
       • full darkness
   • Vegatation
     • shrubs - lichen
       • short
       • grouped together
       • long widespread roots
       • quick to photosynthesis
       • small hairy leaves
   • wildlife
     • Caribou
       • stock body
       • short tail
       • small ears
       • double coat
         • inner - fuzzy
         • outer - traps heat
       • toes for even weight distribution
       • hibernate
   • human activity
     • mining
       • impact on landscape
       • pollution
     • drilling for oil
       • harming widlife
         • noise pollution
         • loss of habitat
       • harmful chemicals
     • preserve wildlife
       • BAP - biodiversity action plan
       • national parks
   • climate change

4. environmental reasons

   • solar activity
     • sun spot = hotter
   • volcanic eruptions
     • ash acts as a blanket
   • asteroid theory
     • asteroid its and causes ash cloud
       • acts as a blanket
   • orbital theory
     • tilt
       • 22.5 - 24.5* closer or further form the sun
     • wobble
       • wobbles - closer or further form the sun
     • orbit
       • circle or more elliptical - closer or further from the sun

Images and files in the map