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AP Environmental Science Ch. 7
The document discusses factors that influence climate. It describes how air circulation driven by differences in solar heating across the Earth's surface creates global wind patterns. Ocean currents distribute heat around the world and interact with atmospheric circulation. Surface features like mountains also impact climate by influencing precipitation. All of these factors together define the world's major biomes by controlling temperature and rainfall in different regions.
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AP Environmental Science Ch. 7
- 1. Warm up question ◊It’s a hot summer day in Ceres, CA. ◊ Where would it likely be hottest (upstairs or downstairs) in this house? Why?
- 2.
- 3. Ch.7FocusQuestions 1.What factors influence climate?2.Howdoes climate affect the nature and locations of biomes?3.How have we affected the world’s terrestrial ecosystems?
- 4. What is Climate? ◊Weather - short term; today ◊ Climate - general atmospheric or weather conditions over time Climate is what we expect; weather is what we get.
- 5. Climate varies overthe surface of the earth ◊ 22 mainmain factors:factors: 1.1. Wind - air circulationWind - air circulation 2.2. Ocean currentsOcean currents ◊ Move warm & cold moisture from one place to another, but unevenly
- 6. Focus on AIR ◊Air circulates warmth & moisture from the tropics to other places
- 7. Focus on AIR 3forces responsible: 1. Tilt of the earth - Earth is heated unevenly http://goo.gl/5AVXfx
- 8. Focus on AIR 3forces responsible2. Rotation of the Earth on its axis ◊ equator spins faster than poles ◊ Warm air rising over equator goes N or S then deflected E or W ◊ creates “prevailing winds” - major surface winds that blow almost continuously
- 9. Quick Demo ◊ Whathappened to the line as you rotated the whiteboard? ◊ What happens to the line as you get further toward the edge?
- 13. Focus on AIR 3forces responsible 3. The water cycle ◊ heat from the sun evaporates ocean water and transfers it to air ◊ this creates convection cells that circulate heat, air, and moisture
- 14. Quick Write ◊ In1 sentence – DESCRIBE how AIR affects the climate of an area
- 15. Focus on OCEAN CURRENTS ◊Prevailing winds blow over ocean & move surface water --> currents
- 16. Focus on OCEAN CURRENTS ◊Currents move warm water to other places • Changes vegetation & climate of the area, especially near the coastline
- 17. Focus on OCEAN CURRENTS ◊Continents and wind currents shape path of ocean currents
- 18. Focus on OCEAN CURRENTS◊Currents go clockwise in Northern Hemisphere ◊ Currents go counterclockwise in Southern Hemisphere
- 19. Focus on OCEAN CURRENTS ◊Also vertical mixing of water • Cold water sinks - more dense, saltier • Warm water rises - less dense, less salty
- 20. Quick Write ◊ In2 sentences – EXPLAIN how OCEAN CURRENTS affect the climate of an area
- 21. OCEAN CURRENTS +AIR CURRENTS 4EVER ◊ Ocean currents affected by wind ◊ Heat from ocean affects air circulation patterns
- 22. For Example ◊ ElNiño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) • Normal east west trade winds weaken or reverse • Changes climate for 2/3 of the planet https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPA-KpldDVc
- 23. Also - TheAtmosphere – what it is made up of affect the climate of our planet ◊ Greenhouse gases warm the Earth • H2O, CO2, CH4, N2O
- 24. How they work ◊Light from sun passes through atmosphere ◊ Surface absorbs heat ◊ Heat radiates back up ◊ Some escapes to space ◊ Some absorbed by greenhouse gases - its good! :)
- 25. Also - Earth’sSurface Features also affect climate ◊ Rain shadow effect • Windward side of mountains wet • Leeward side of mountains dry
- 27. All of thiscreates BIOMES High Mountains Polar Ice Arctic Tundra Temperate Grassland Tropical grassland (savanna) Chaparral Temperate Coniferous forest Temperate deciduous forest Tropical rainforest Tropical dry forest Tropical Desert Temperate rain forest Temperate desert Cold desert Taiga Tropical and subtropical coniferous forest Pond Littoral, intertidal zone Mangrove forest Kelp forest Coral reef Neritic zone (coastal waters) Continental shelf Pelagic zone (open sea) Benthic zone (bottom of lakes and oceans) Hydrothermal vents Cold seeps Estuaries Riparian (rivers and surrounding area) Inland wetlands (swamps, marshes, prarie potholes)
- 28. All of thiscreates BIOMES High Mountains Polar Ice Arctic Tundra Temperate Grassland Tropical grassland (savanna) Chaparral Temperate Coniferous forest Temperate Deciduous forest Tropical rainforest Tropical dry forest Tropical Desert Temperate rain forest Temperate desert Cold desert Taiga Tropical and subtropical coniferous forest Inland wetlands (swamps, marshes, prairie potholes) Mangrove forest Riparian (rivers and surrounding area)
- 29. Quick Write ◊ So…Whatfactors influence the climate of an area? ◊ Make a list of all the things you can think of
- 30. So… ◊ Air circulation+ winds + ocean currents + continents in the way = 6 giant convection cells that shape climate ◊ (3 in north, 3 in south) ◊ Warm wet air rises ◊ Cool dry air sinks
- 31. Climate Change (globalwarming) ◊ LOTS and LOTS of evidence supports the hypothesis that humans are contributing excess greenhouse gases to the atmosphere - altering earth’s climate ◊ 90-99% sure of this ◊ Why not 100%? ◊ Precautionary Principle