Flashcards
APES Chapter 4 ⟹ Global Climates and Biomes
Cards in this deck (90)
- 1ClimateThe average weather that occurs in a given region over a long period of time.
- 2WeatherThe short-term conditions of the atmosphere in a local area, which include temperature, humidity, clouds, precipitation, and wind speed.
- 3Characteristics of the atmosphere1) Pull of gravity keeps the layers of gases in place
2) Layers closest to Earth have a greater mass of air above them
3) Layers closest to Earth have the most densely packed molecules, which causes higher air pressure - 4Layers of the atmosphere from closest to the Earth to farthestTroposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere, Exosphere
- 5Troposphere- Atmospheric layer closest to Earth's surface (ends 16 km or 10 miles above Earth)
- Densest layer of the atmosphere
- Has the highest concentration of nitrogen, oxygen, and water vapor out of the other layers
- Layer where Earth's weather occurs
- Thinnest layer
- Temperature decreases with distance from Earth's surface - 6Stratosphere- Second closest layer to the Earth's surface (16 to 50 km or 10 to 31 miles above Earth's surface)
- Less dense than trophosphere
- Ozone forms a layer within the stratosphere that absorbs most of the Sun's ultraviolet-B radiation and all of its ultraviolet-C radiation (that could cause cancer and DNA damage if we were not shielded it from it by the ozone layer)
-UV radiation absorbed in upper layers, convert it to infrared radiation, which is then released as heat
-Temperature increases with altitude in the stratosphere because the Sun’s UV-B and UV-C rays warm the upper part of this layer - 7MesosphereTemperature gets colder as you go higher (third closest layer)
- 8Thermosphere-Fourth closest layer to the Earth's surface
-Temperature relatively increases with altitude
-Very important to Earth's organisms because it blocks harmful X-ray and UV radiation from reaching the planet
-Contains charged gas molecules that, when hit by solar energy, begin the glow and produce light => This interaction is mostly driven by the magnetic forces at the North and South Poles (aurora borealis) - 9The amount of solar energy reaching Earth varies with location (deals with latitudes and the angle of the sun's rays)Unequal warming occurs because (1) of variation in the angle at which the Sun's rays hit Earth (perpendicular angle gets much more solar energy than oblique because the rays travel a shorter distance to Earth => equator vs. pole) and (2) the variation in the amount oh surface area over which the Sun's rays are distributed (perpendicular = more concentrated solar energy over a smaller area, oblique = less concentrated solar energy over a larger area)
- 10AlbedoThe albedo of a surface is the percentage of the incoming solar energy that it reflects. Snow and ice reflect much of the solar energy that they receive (high albedo), but darker objects such as forests and asphalt paving reflect very little energy (low albedo), which means that they absorb most of the solar energy that strikes them.
- 11Know the albedo percentages for earth, water, sea ice, asphalt, cropland/grassland, clouds, forest, and fresh snow,-Earth has an average albedo of 30%
-Tropical regions have albedo values of 10-20%
-Snowy polar regions have 80-95%
- 12What is the angle measure of Earth's axis of rotation?23.5 degrees
- 13Explain why the northern and southern hemispheres experience different seasons at the same period of time.Due to Earth's tilted axis and orbit around the sun, when the Northern hemisphere is tilted towards the un, the Southern hemisphere is tilted away and vice versa
- 14Be able to understand Earth's tilt and seasons
- 15Four properties that determine how air circulates in the atmosphere1) Air density (mass of all molecules in air in a given volume) - warm air is less dense than cold air and rises
2) Air's capacity to contain water vapor - warm air is not only less dense than cold, it also has a higher capacity for water vapor (when the temp of air falls, its saturation point decreases, water vapor condenses into liquid water, clouds form, and precipitation occurs)
3) Air's response to changes in pressure - as air rises in the atmosphere, the pressure decreases, the air expands in volume and the temperature of the air drops (Adiabatic cooling)
Conversely, when air falls towards earth's surface, the pressure increases, the higher pressure forces a decrease in volume, and the temp of the air increases (Adiabatic heating)
4) The production of heat when water vapor condenses from a gas to a liquid - Later in the water cycle when the water vapor condenses into liquid water, energy is released as heat and causes the air to become warmer and rise in the atmosphere (latent heat release) - 16Saturation pointThe maximum amount of water vapor in the air at a given temperature
- 17Adiabatic coolingThe cooling effect of reduced pressure on air as it rises higher in the atmosphere and expands
- 18Adiabatic heatingThe heating effect of increased pressure on air as it sinks toward the surface of Earth and decreases in volume
- 19Latent heat releaseThe release of energy when water vapor in the atmosphere condenses into liquid water
- 20Atmospheric convection currentGlobal patterns of air movement that are initiated by the unequal heating of Earth
- 21Atmospheric convection currents explainedWarming at Earth’s surface
causes air to rise up into the atmosphere where it
experiences lower pressures,
adiabatic cooling, and latent heat release. The cool air near the top of the atmosphere is then displaced horizontally before it sinks back to Earth. As it sinks,
the air experiences adiabatic
heating and then moves
horizontally along the surface of Earth to complete the cycle.
- 22Hadley cellsConvection currents that cycle between the equator and approximately 30° N and 30° S
- The circulation of the Hadley cells is driven by the intense solar energy that strikes Earth near the equator - 23How Hadley cells work
- 24Intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ)The latitude that receives the most intense sunlight, which causes the ascending branches of the two Hadley cells to converge
-Due to the fact that humid air rises at this latitude and precipitation falls, the ITCZ is typified by dense clouds and intense thunderstorms
-Not fixed, switches between 23.5° N and 23.5° S over the course of the year as Earth orbits the Sun => this causes the tropics to experience seasons of high and low precipitation - 25Polar cellsA convection current in the atmosphere, formed by air that rises at 60° N and 60° S and sinks at the poles, 90° N and 90° S
- 26Ferrell cellA convection current in the atmosphere that lies between Hadley cells and polar cells
(these currents are not distinct and are driven by the circulation of the neighboring Hadley and Polar cells)
- Slowly move the warm air of the tropics towards the mid-latitude and polar regions
- Because these currents determine the patterns of temperature and precipitation around the world, they are largely responsible for the locations of rain forests, deserts, and grasslands - 27Earth's rotation causes the Coriolis effect- As Earth rotates, its surface moves much faster at the equator than in mid-latitude and polar regions.
- The faster rotation speeds found closer to the equator cause objects that are moving directly north or south to deflect. - 28Coriolis effectThe deflection of an object's path due to the rotation of Earth
- The prevailing winds of the world are produced by a combination of atmospheric convection currents and the Coriolis effect.
- 29Visual for the Coriolis effect
- 30Rain shadowA region with dry conditions found on the leeward side of a mountain range as a result of humid winds from the ocean causing precipitation on the windward side
- 31Rain shadows explained-Air moving inland from the ocean contains a large amount of water vapor. When it meets the windward side of a mountain range (the side facing the wind), it rises and begins to experience adiabatic cooling.
-Because water vapor condenses as air cools, clouds form and precipitation falls.
-The presence of the mountain range causes large amounts of precipitation to fall on its windward side.
-The cold, dry air then travels to the other side of the mountain range (the leeward side), where it descends and experiences higher pressures, which cause adiabatic heating.
-This air is now warm and dry and produces arid conditions on the leeward side forming the region called a rain shadow
- 32Surface ocean currents move warm and cold water around the globe- Ocean currents are driven by a combination of temperature, gravity, prevailing winds, the Coriolis effect, and the locations of continents.
- Warm water, like warm air, expands and rises. - 33GyreA large-scale pattern of water circulation that moves clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and counterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere
- 34Oceanic circulation patterns. Oceanic circulation patterns are the result of differential heating, gravity, prevailing winds, the Coriolis effect, and the locations of continents. Each of the five major ocean basins contains a gyre driven by the trade winds in the tropics and the westerlies at mid-latitudes. The result is a clockwise circulation pattern in the Northern Hemisphere and a counterclockwise circulation pattern in the Southern Hemisphere. Along the west coasts of many continents, currents diverge and cause the upwelling of deeper and more fertile water.
- 35UpwellingThe upward movement of ocean water toward the surface as a result of diverging currents (surface currents separating from one another that causes deeper waters to rise)
- Can be a factor in explaining why some regions of the ocean support highly productive ecosystems because the deep waters bring up nutrients from the ocean bottom that support large populations of producers which in turn support large populations of fish - 36Thermohaline circulation (Deep water currents circulate ocean water over long time periods )- An oceanic circulation pattern that drives the mixing of surface water and deep water.
- Scientists believe this process is crucial for moving heat and nutrients around the globe.
- Thermohaline circulation appears to be driven by surface waters that contain unusually large amounts of salt. - 37Thermohaline circulation explained
- 38Deep ocean currents circulate ocean water over long time periodsSome of the water that flows from the Gulf of Mexico to the North Atlantic freezes or evaporates, and the salt that remains behind increases the salt concentration of the water.
This cold, salty water is relatively dense, so it sinks to the bottom of the ocean, mixing with deeper ocean waters.
These two processes create the movement necessary to drive a deep, cold current that slowly moves past Antarctica and northward to the northern Pacific Ocean. - 39El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) The El-Niño Southern Oscillation is caused by a shift in ocean currentsA reversal of wind and water currents in the South Pacific.
- 40The El-Niño Southern OscillationEvery 3 to 7 years, the interaction of the Earth's atmosphere and ocean cause surface currents in the tropical Pacific Ocean to reverse direction.
- 41The El-Niño Southern Oscillation continuedFirst, the trade winds near South America weaken.
This weakening allows warm equatorial water from the western Pacific to move eastward toward the west coast of South America.
The movement of warm water and air toward South America suppresses upwelling off the coast of Peru and decreases productivity there, reducing fish populations near the coast.
These periodic changes in wind and ocean currents are collectively called the El-Niño Southern Oscillation, or ENSO. - 42Terrestrial biomeA geographic region categorized by a particular combination of average annual temperature, annual precipitation, and distinctive plant growth forms on land
- 43Aquatic biomeAn aquatic region characterized by a particular combination of salinity, depth, and water flow
- 44Where are the terrestrial biomes?
- 45Climate diagrams illustrate patterns of annual temperature and precipitationClimate diagrams display monthly temperature and precipitation values, which help determine the productivity of a biome
- 46The nine terrestrial biomesTundra
Boreal Forest
Temperate rainforest
Temperate seasonal forest
Woodland/shrubland
Temperate grassland/cold desert
Tropical rainforest
Tropical seasonal forest/ savanna
Subtropical desert - 47TundraA cold and treeless biome with low-growing vegetation.
- In winter, the soil is completely frozen.
- The tundra's growing season is very short, usually only about 4 months during summer.
- The underlying subsoil, is permafrost - 48PermafrostAn impermeable, permanently frozen layer of soil.
- 49Tundra biome climate diagramThe tundra is cold and treeless, with low-growing vegetation
- 50Boreal forestA forest biome made up primarily of coniferous evergreen trees that can tolerate cold winters and short growing seasons.
- Boreal forests are found between about 50˚ and 60˚ N in Europe, Russia and North America.
- This subarctic biome has a very cold climate, and plant growth is more constrained by temperature than precipitation.
- The soil is nutrient-poor due to slow decomposition. - 51Boreal forest biome climate diagramBoreal forests are made
up primarily of coniferous evergreen trees that can tolerate cold winters and short growing seasons.
- 52Temperate RainforestA coastal biome typified by moderate temperatures and high precipitation.
-Coastal biome found along the west coast of North America from northern California to Alaska, in southern Chile, on the west coast of New Zealand, and on the island of Tasmania.
-Ocean currents moderate temperature fluctuations and provide a source of water vapor.
-Nearly 12-month growing season where winters are rainy and summers are foggy.
-Mild temperatures and high precipitation support growth of very large trees. - 53Temperate Rainforest biome climate diagramTemperate Rainforests have moderate mean annual temperatures and high precipitation that supports the growth of very large trees.
- 54Temperate Seasonal ForestA biome with warm summers and cold winters with over 1 m (39 inches) of precipitation annually.
- Receives over 1 m (39 inches) of precipitation annually.
- Found in the eastern United States, Japan, China, Europe, Chile and eastern Australia.
- Dominated by broadleaf deciduous trees such as beech, male, oak and hickory.
- Warmer summer temperatures favor decomposition; soils generally contain more nutrients than those of boreal forests. - 55Temperate Seasonal Forest biome climate diagramTemperate seasonal forest
biomes have moderate
mean annual temperatures
and moderate amounts of
precipitation that support
broadleaf deciduous trees such as beech, maple, oak, and hickory.
- 56Woodland / ShrublandA biome characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters.
- Found on the coast of southern California, southern Australia, southern Africa and in the area surrounding the Mediterranean Sea.
- There is a 12-month growing season, but plant growth is constrained by low precipitation in summer and by relatively low temperatures in winter.
- Wildfires are common and plants of this biome are well adapted to both fire and drought. - 57Woodland / Shrubland biome climate diagramThe woodland/shrubland biome is characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters.
- 58Temperate Grassland/Cold DesertA biome characterized by cold, harsh winters, and hot, dry summers.
- Lowest average annual precipitation of any temperate biome.
- Found in the Great Plains of North America, in South America, and in central Asia and eastern Europe.
- Plant growth constrained by both insufficient precipitation in summer and cold temperatures in winter.
- Plants include grasses and non woody flowering plants well-adapted to wildfires and frequent grazing by animals. - 59Temperate Grassland/Cold Desert biome climate diagramThe temperate grassland/cold desert biome has cold, harsh winters and hot, dry, summers that support grasses and non-woody flowering plants.
- 60Tropical RainforestA warm and wet biome found between 20° N and 20° S of the equator, with little seasonal temperature variation and high precipitation.
- Average annual temperatures exceed 20˚C.
- Found in Central and South America, Africa, Southeast Asia, and northeastern Australia.
- Precipitation occurs frequently; warm and wet with little temperature variation.
- Contain more biodiversity per hectare than any other terrestrial biome; contain up to two-thirds of Earth's terrestrial species. - 61Tropical Rainforest biome climate diagramTropical rainforests
are warm and wet, with little seasonal temperature variation. These forests are highly productive with several distinctive layers of
vegetation.
- 62Tropical Seasonal Forest/ SavannaA biome marked by warm temperatures and distinct wet and dry seasons.
- Tropical seasonal forests are common in much of Central America, on the Atlantic coast of South America, in southern Asia, in northwestern Australia, and in sub-Saharan Africa.
- Soil in this biome is fairly fertile and can be farmed due to high decomposition rates, but the low amount of precipitation constrains plants from using the soil nutrients that are released.
- Grasses and scattered deciduous trees are common. - 63Tropical Seasonal Forest/ Savanna biome climate diagramTropical seasonal forest and savannas have warm
temperatures and distinct wet and dry seasons. Vegetation ranges from dense stands of shrubs and trees to relatively open landscapes dominated by grasses and scattered deciduous trees.
- 64Subtropical DesertA biome prevailing at approximately 30° N and 30° S, with hot temperatures, extremely dry conditions, and sparse vegetation.
- The Mojave Desert in the southwestern United States, the Sahara in Africa, the Arabian Desert of the Middle East and the Great Victoria Desert of Australia are all subtropical deserts.
- Cacti, euphorbs and succulent plants are well adapted to this biome. - 65Subtropical Desert biome climate diagramSubtropical deserts have hot temperatures, extremely dry conditions, and sparse
vegetation.
- 66Freshwater biomes have low salinity. Name the freshwater biomes- Streams and rivers
- Lakes and ponds
- Freshwater wetlands - 67Streams and Rivers- Flowing fresh water that may originate from underground springs or as runoff from rain or melting snow.
- Streams are typically narrow and carry relatively small amounts of water where rivers are usually wider and carry larger amounts of water. - 68Lakes and Ponds- Lakes and ponds contain standing water, at least some of which is too deep to support emergent vegetation.
- Lakes are larger than ponds but there is no clear point at which a pond is considered large enough to be called a lake. - 69Littoral zoneThe shallow zone of soil and water in lakes and ponds where most algae and emergent plants grow.
- 70Limnetic zoneA zone of open water in lakes and ponds
- 71PhytoplanktonFloating algae
- 72Profundal zoneA region of water where sunlight does not reach, below the limnetic zone in very deep lakes
- 73Benthic zoneThe muddy bottom of a lake, pond, or ocean
- 74Lakes and Ponds diagram
- 75Lakes are classified by their level of primary productivity. Name the classificationsOligotrophic
Mesotrophic
Eutrophic - 76OligotrophicDescribes a lake with a low level of productivity.
- 77MesotrophicDescribes a lake with a moderate level of productivity.
- 78EutrophicDescribes a lake with a high level of productivity.
- 79Freshwater Wetlands- An aquatic biome that is submerged or saturated by water for at least part of each year, but shallow enough to support emergent vegetation.
- Freshwater wetlands are among the most productive biomes on Earth. - 80Marine biomes have high salinity. What are the five marine biomes?Salt marsh
Mangrove swamp
Intertidal zone
Coral reefs
Open ocean - 81Salt MarshA marsh containing nonwoody emergent vegetation, found along the coast in temperate climates.
- Found along the coast in temperate climates.
- The salt marsh is one of the most productive biomes in the world. - 82Mangrove SwampA swamp that occurs along tropical and subtropical coasts, and contains salt tolerant trees with roots submerged in water.
- Mangrove trees are salt tolerant and help protect the coastlines from erosion and storm damage. - 83Intertidal ZoneThe narrow band of coastline between the levels of high tide and low tide.
- Waves that crash onto the shore in this biome can make it a challenge for organisms to hold on and not get washed away. - 84Coral ReefThe most diverse marine biome on Earth, found in warm, shallow waters beyond the shoreline.
- Earth's most diverse marine biome even though coral reefs are found in water that is relatively poor in nutrients and food. - 85Coral bleachingA phenomenon in which algae inside corals die, causing the corals to turn white.
- 86Open OceanDeep ocean water, located away from the shoreline where sunlight can no longer reach the ocean bottom
- 87Photic zoneThe upper layer of ocean water in the ocean that receives enough sunlight for photosynthesis.
- 88Aphotic zoneThe deeper layer of ocean water that lacks sufficient sunlight for photosynthesis.
- 89Open Ocean diagram
- 90ChemosynthesisA process used by some bacteria in the ocean to generate energy with methane and hydrogen sulfide.
Information
- Description
- Advanced placement Environmental Science (Chapter 4) Flashcards on APES Chapter 4 ⟹ Global Climates and Biomes, created by Isabel Oberlende on 18/11/2015.
- Created by
- Isabel Oberlende
- Views
- 2
- Rating