APES chapter 7: Climate and biodiversity

rain shadow effect

is a reduction of rainfall and loss of moisture from the landscape on the side of mountains facing away from prevailing surface winds. Warm, moist air in onshore winds loses most of its moisture as rain and snow that fall on the windward slopes of a mountain range. This leads to semiarid and arid conditions on the leeward side of the mountain range and the land beyond. The Mojave Desert in the U.S. state of California and Asia's Gobi Desert were both created by this effect.

how are biomes categorized

. Biomes are categorized by particular combinations of average annual temperature and annual precipitation.

Deep ocean currents circulate ocean water over long time periods

Some 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.

Earth's tilt causes seasonal changes in climate

The Earth's axis of rotation is tilted 23.5 ˚. When the Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun, the Southern Hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun, and vice versa.

Intertidal zone

The 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.

How can we sustain terrestrial and aquatic biomes for the future?

biomes are being destroyed and altered by both man and natural disasters

Generalized Map of the Earth's Current Climate Zones

blue arrows are cold currents from the poles (north and South Pole) water spread nutrients water ends up in trash island

Photic zone

The upper layer of ocean water in the ocean that receives enough sunlight for photosynthesis. with no sunlight, it is chemosynthesis

Upwelling

The upward movement of ocean water toward the surface as a result of diverging currents. This upward movement of water brings nutrients from the ocean bottom that supports the large populations of producers, which in turn support large populations of fish.

current

flow of charge

intermolecular forces

forces of attraction between molecules

global air circulation

is affected by the uneven heating of the earth's surface by solar energy, seasonal changes in temperature and precipitation, rotation of the earth on its axis, and the properties of air, water, and land.

biomes

large land regions with certain types of climate and dominant plant life. - not uniform - Mosaic of patches latitude and elevation annual precipitation temperature

benefits of upwelling

nutrients will be passed crabs!

Convection

occurs when warm, wet air rises, then cools and releases heat and moisture as precipitation (right side and top, center). Then the cooler, denser, and drier air sinks, warms up, and absorbs moisture as it flows across the earth's surface (bottom) to begin the cycle again.

the El Nino Southern Oscillation

periodic changes in winds and ocean currents between south america and australia a reversal of wind and water currents in the South Pacific In a normal year, trade winds push warm surface waters away from the coast of SA and promote the upwelling of water from the ocean bottom. In an El Nino year, trade winds weaken or reverse direction, so warm waters build up along the west coast of Peru every 3 to 7 years, the interaction of the Earth's atmosphere and ocean cause surface currents in the tropical pacific ocean to reverse direction

invasive species

plants and animals that have migrated to places where they are not native

effect of the earth's tilt

seasons

Terrestrial biome

A geographic region categorized by a particular combination of average annual temperature, annual precipitation, and distinctive plant growth forms on land.

Troposphere

A layer of the atmosphere closest to the surface of Earth, extending up to approximately 16 km (10 miles).

Coral bleaching

A phenomenon in which algae inside corals die, causing the corals to turn white.

Chemosynthesis

A process used by some bacteria in the ocean to generate energy with methane and hydrogen sulfide. most have bio luminescence (the fish that has a light bulb on them)

rain shadows - areas of dry land that form on the leeward side (downwind) of a high mountain. Rain cloud approaches mountain range → rise in elevation → surrounding air becomes cooler → due point eventually reached → precipitation occurs as cloud gains precipitation, continues to rain towards peak → cloud begins to descend leeway side of mountain → decrease in elevation → air temperature increases → precipitation decreases → rain shadow is dry

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.

Aquatic biome

An aquatic region characterized by a particular combination of salinity, depth, and water flow.

Earth'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.

The amount of solar energy reaching Earth varies with location

As the Sun's energy passes through the atmosphere and strikes land and water, it warms the surface of Earth. But this warming does not occur evenly across the planet because: The angle at which the Sun's rays strike varies. The amount of surface area over which the Sun's rays are distributed varies. Some areas of Earth reflect more solar energy than others. Albedo The percentage of incoming sunlight reflected from a surface.

Atmospheric convection current

Atmospheric convection currents move air and moisture around the globe Atmospheric convection current Global patterns of air movement that are initiated by the unequal heating of Earth.

Atmospheric Convection Currents

Atmospheric currents. Warming 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

Earth's seasons

Because Earth's axis of rotation is tilted 23.5°, the latitude that receives the most direct rays of the Sun and the most hours of daylight changes throughout the year as Earth orbits the Sun. Thus Earth's tilt produces predictable seasons. This diagram illustrates the pattern of seasons in the Northern Hemisphere.

Climate diagrams.

Climate diagrams display monthly temperature and precipitation values, which help determine the productivity of a biome.

effect of earth's rotation

Coriolis effect

The Coriolis Effect

Coriolis effect The 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. The Coriolis effect. (a) A ball thrown from the North Pole toward the equator would be deflected to the west by the Coriolis effect. (b) The different rotation speeds of Earth at different latitudes cause a deflection in the paths of traveling objects.

Open ocean

Deep ocean water, located away from the shoreline where sunlight can no longer reach the ocean bottom.

How Does Climate Affect the Nature and Locations of Biomes?

Differences in average annual precipitation and temperature lead to the formation of tropical, temperate, and cold deserts, grasslands, and forests, and largely determine their locations.

Biomes Vs Ecosystem

Ecosystem is the interaction of all the biotic (living) and abiotic (nonliving) components in an environment. Biomes is the specific geographic area categorized by their climate and other conditions. A biome can have multiple ecosystem in it.

Estuaries

Estuaries are areas where freshwater streams or rivers merge with the ocean. This mixing of waters with such different salt concentrations creates a very interesting and unique ecosystem. Microflora like algae, and macroflora, such as seaweeds, marsh grasses, and mangrove trees (only in the tropics), can be found here. Estuaries support a diverse fauna, including a variety of worms, oysters, crabs, and waterfowl. you'll mostly see sharks

natural greenhouse effect

Gases keep earth habitable

4 Greenhouse gases

H2O, CO2, CH4, N2O

Atmospheric Convection Currents types

Hadley cell A convection current in the atmosphere that cycles between the equator and 30° N and 30° S. Intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) The latitude that receives the most intense sunlight, which causes the ascending branches of the two Hadley cells to converge. Polar cell A 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. Ferrell cell A convection current in the atmosphere that lies between Hadley cells and polar cells.

Hadley cells.

Hadley cells are atmospheric convection currents that operate between the equator and 30° N and 30° S. Solar energy warms humid air in the tropics. The warm air rises and eventually cools below its saturation point. The water vapor it contains condenses into clouds and precipitation. The air, which now contains little moisture, sinks to Earth's surface at approximately 30° N and 30° S. As the air descends, it is warmed by adiabatic heating. This descent of hot, dry air causes desert environments to develop at those latitudes. in rain forests produces alot of rain

Biome Destruction and Sustainability

Natural Disaster Human Activity Invasive Species

Surface 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. Gyre A large-scale pattern of water circulation that moves clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and counterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.

Oceanic circulation patterns

Oceanic 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.

rain shadow effect

Precipitation falls on the windward side of a mountain range, resulting in lush vegetation & a warm, moist climate on one side, but a desert area on the leeward side. Most precipitation falls on the windward side of mountain ranges Deserts leeward Cities create microclimates

Prevailing wind patterns.

Prevailing wind patterns around the world are produced by a combination of atmospheric convection currents and the Coriolis effect.

Ocean currents

Prevailing winds Earth's rotation Redistribution of heat from the sun Surface currents and deep currents

Rain shadows cause mountains to be dry on one side

Rain shadow A 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. Rain shadow. Rain shadows occur where humid winds blowing inland from the ocean meet a mountain range. On the windward (wind-facing) side of the mountains, air rises and cools, and large amounts of water vapor condense to form clouds and precipitation. On the leeward side of the mountains, cold, dry air descends, warms via adiabatic heating, and causes much drier conditions.

Air has several important properties that determine how it circulates in the atmosphere

Saturation point Adiabatic cooling Adiabatic heating Latent heat release

Climate

The average weather that occurs in a given region over a long period of time.

Adiabatic cooling

The cooling effect of reduced pressure on air as it rises higher in the atmosphere and expands.

Aphotic zone

The deeper layer of ocean water that lacks sufficient sunlight for photosynthesis.

Adiabatic heating

The heating effect of increased pressure on air as it sinks toward the surface of Earth and decreases in volume.

Stratosphere

The layer of the atmosphere above the troposphere, extending roughly 16 to 50 km (10-31 miles) above the surface of Earth.

Saturation point

The maximum amount of water vapor in the air at a given temperature.

Coral reef

The 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.

Albedo

The percentage of incoming sunlight reflected from a surface. The 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, but darker objects such as forests and asphalt paving reflect very little energy, which means that they absorb most of the solar energy that strikes them.

Latent heat release

The release of energy when water vapor in the atmosphere condenses into liquid water.

Weather

The short-term conditions of the atmosphere in a local area, which include temperature, humidity, clouds, precipitation, and wind speed.

thermohaline circulatio

The sinking of sense, salty water in the North Atlantic drives a deep, cold current that moves slowly around the world.

The layers of Earth's atmosphere.

The troposphere is the atmospheric layer closest to Earth. Because the density of air decreases with altitude, the troposphere's temperature also decreases with altitude. Temperature increases with altitude in the stratosphere because the Sun's UV-B and UV-C rays warm the upper part of this layer. Temperatures in the thermosphere can reach 1,750°C (3,182°F).

9 Terrestrial biomes range from tundra to tropical forests

There are nine terrestrial biomes: Tundra Boreal Forest Temperate rainforest Temperate seasonal forest Woodland/shrubland Temperate grassland/cold desert Tropical rainforest Tropical seasonal forest/ savanna Subtropical desert

Thermohaline circulation - Deep water currents circulate ocean water over long time periods

Thermohaline circulation 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.

Differential heating of Earth.

Tropical regions near the equator receive more solar energy than mid-latitude and polar regions, where the Sun's rays strike Earth's surface at an oblique angle.

Air circulation in lower atmosphere due to

Uneven heating of the earth's surface by sun Rotation of the earth on its axis Properties of air, water, and land remember the lowest layer is troposphere and the highest is the stratosphere think where the sun hits first - the equator AND think where it hits less - the north and south poles like how in June, we have summer but in oceania, its winter

El Nino Southern Oscillation

a systematic shift in atmospheric pressure, sea-surface temperature, and ocean circulation in the tropical Pacific Ocean Every few years Prevailing winds in tropical Pacific Ocean change direction Affects much of earth's weather for 1-2 years

30 degrees north or south

deserts because high temperatures and low percipitation

freshwater biomes

have low salinity we get freshwater from run offs from mountains and rain freshwater biomes include - streams and rivers - lakes and ponds - freshwater wetlands

albedo

the percentage of incoming sunlight reflected from a surface

during the el nino years

there is no upwelling because the water moves down not up less fish because there are no nutriens First, 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.

hot air goes up because

they are less dense

how are coral reefs

they are super sensitive a slight change in temperature or in pH levels will destroy the reef they get their color from the algea