Atmosphere (Ecology)
weather
current atmospheric conditions at a particular place and time
trees where you can see the direction in which the wind was blowing?
flag form
why is ozone important?
it blocks out UV radiation because UV radiation damages nucleic acids
downwind side
leeward side
in the southern hemisphere, winds deflect to the
left
climate
long term weather trends of a particular region
high winds and ozone occur in what layer of the atmosphere
lower stratosphere
why is wind chill factor important?
maintains temperature gradient
what is the climate gradient of the east and west
moisture
deflective currents
mountains - winds coming up on both sides
what processes direct air flow?
(TVDIS) thermal valley deflective currents inversion sea breeze
wet adiabatic lapse rate
0.6°C/100m rise - the rate at which a saturated body of air cools as it lifts - how much water cools down as it is condensing into water droplets
biological importance of wind
1. wind chill factor 2. krummholz effect 3. seed and pollen dispersal 4. flying/migratory routes for birds and mammals
dry adiabatic lapse rate
1°C /100m rise - The rate at which the temperature of a parcel of dry air decreases as the parcel is lifted in the atmosphere.
what are the components of the atmosphere
Nitrogen Oxygen Argon CO2
Coriolis effect
The effect of Earth's rotation on the direction of winds and currents.
valley breeze
The movement of air created by warm air rising and flowing up the slope of a mountain.
orographic precipitation
precipitation that develops when warm, moist air cools and condenses as it rises against mountains
a consequence of the Coriolis effect
predicting storms
in the northern hemisphere, winds deflect to the
right
layer atop the troposphere
stratosphere
what is the climate gradient of the north and south
temperature
inversions
the densest air is near the ground - moisture and pollutants are trapped preventing heating near the surface - stable
adiabatic lapse rate
the idea that air will change temperature if forced to move up or down an atmosphere
Krumholtz effect
trees tend to be stunted in very windy areas
what causes circular ocean currents?
tropical heating, surface winds and the Coriolis effect
where do jetstreams/sheer zones/storm anvils occur?
tropopause
in what layer of the atmosphere does weather occur?
troposphere
what layer of the atmosphere is closest to the ground?
troposphere
sea breeze
type of thermal breeze - high specific heat of water, low temp change
side receiving wind
windward side