chapter 4Review
In this chapter we have examined how global processes such as air and water currents determine regional climates and how these regional climates have a major effect on the types of organisms that can live in different parts of the world. Among the terrestrial biomes, temperature and precipitation affect the rate of decomposition of dead organisms and the productivity of the soil. Understanding these patterns helps us understand how humans have come to use the land in different ways: growing crops in regions with enough water and a sufficient growing season, grazing domesticated animals in drier areas, and harvesting lumber from forests. Among the aquatic biomes, differences in flow, salinity, and depth help to determine the aquatic species that can live in different aquatic regions of the world.
Climate Weather Troposphere Stratosphere Albedo Saturation point Adiabatic cooling Adiabatic heating Latent heat release Atmospheric convection current Hadley cell Intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) Polar cell Ferrell cell Coriolis effect Rain shadow Gyres Upwelling Thermohaline circulation El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) Terrestrial biome Aquatic biome Tundra Permafrost Boreal forest Temperate rainforest Temperate seasonal forest Woodland/shrubland Temperate grassland/cold desert Tropical rainforest Tropical seasonal forest/savanna Subtropical desert Littoral zone Limnetic zone Phytoplankton Profundal zone Benthic zone Oligotrophic Mesotrophic Eutrophic Freshwater wetland Salt marsh Mangrove swamp Intertidal zone Coral reef Coral bleaching Open ocean Photic zone Aphotic zone Chemosynthesis | The short-term conditions of the atmosphere in a local area, which include temperature, humidity, clouds, precipitation, and wind speed. Describes a lake with a low level of productivity. A convection current in the atmosphere that cycles between the equator and 30° N and 30° S. A marsh containing nonwoody emergent vegetation, found along the coast in temperate climates. The deflection of an object’s path due to the rotation of Earth. Global patterns of air movement that are initiated by the unequal heating of Earth. The heating effect of increased pressure on air as it sinks toward the surface of Earth and decreases in volume. A process used by some bacteria in the ocean to generate energy with methane and hydrogen sulfide. The most diverse marine biome on Earth, found in warm, shallow waters beyond the shoreline. A geographic region categorized by a particular combination of average annual temperature, annual precipitation, and distinctive plant growth forms on land. 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. Describes a lake with a moderate level of productivity. An aquatic region characterized by a particular combination of salinity, depth, and water flow. The narrow band of coastline between the levels of high tide and low tide. The deeper layer of ocean water that lacks sufficient sunlight for photosynthesis. A coastal biome typified by moderate temperatures and high precipitation. A biome marked by warm temperatures and distinct wet and dry seasons. The maximum amount of water vapor in the air at a given temperature. The release of energy when water vapor in the atmosphere condenses into liquid water. A biome prevailing at approximately 30° N and 30° S, with hot temperatures, extremely dry conditions, and sparse vegetation. The cooling effect of reduced pressure on air as it rises higher in the atmosphere and expands. The percentage of incoming sunlight reflected from a surface. A biome with warm summers and cold winters with over 1 m (39 inches) of precipitation annually. An oceanic circulation pattern that drives the mixing of surface water and deep water. The latitude that receives the most intense sunlight, which causes the ascending branches of the two Hadley cells to converge. An aquatic biome that is submerged or saturated by water for at least part of each year, but shallow enough to support emergent vegetation. A phenomenon in which algae inside corals die, causing the corals to turn white. A layer of the atmosphere closest to the surface of Earth, extending up to approximately 16 km (10 miles). A convection current in the atmosphere that lies between Hadley cells and polar cells. A zone of open water in lakes and ponds. A large-scale pattern of water circulation that moves clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and counterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere. The upper layer of ocean water in the ocean that receives enough sunlight for photosynthesis. The layer of the atmosphere above the troposphere, extending roughly 16 to 50 km (10–31 miles) above the surface of Earth. A cold and treeless biome with low-growing vegetation. 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. A biome characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters. A swamp that occurs along tropical and subtropical coasts, and contains salt-tolerant trees with roots submerged in water. A forest biome made up primarily of coniferous evergreen trees that can tolerate cold winters and short growing seasons. A biome characterized by cold, harsh winters, and hot, dry summers. The muddy bottom of a lake, pond, or ocean. The average weather that occurs in a given region over a long period of time. An impermeable, permanently frozen layer of soil. The upward movement of ocean water toward the surface as a result of diverging currents. A region of water where sunlight does not reach, below the limnetic zone in very deep lakes. The shallow zone of soil and water in lakes and ponds where most algae and emergent plants grow. A warm and wet biome found between 20° N and 20° S of the equator, with little seasonal temperature variation and high precipitation. Deep ocean water, located away from the shoreline where sunlight can no longer reach the ocean bottom. Floating algae. Describes a lake with a high level of productivity. A reversal of wind and water currents in the South Pacific. |
Module 9 The Unequal Heating of Earth
Identify the five layers of the atmosphere.
Above Earth’s surface, the first layer of atmosphere is the troposphere, followed by the stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and the exosphere.
Discuss the factors that cause unequal heating of Earth.
The unequal heating of Earth is caused by differences in the angle of the Sun’s rays that strike Earth, the amount of atmosphere that the Sun’s rays must pass through before striking Earth’s surface, and how much of the solar energy that reaches Earth is reflected rather than absorbed.
Describe how Earth’s tilt affects seasonal differences in temperatures.
Earth’s central axis is tilted at 23.5°, which causes seasonal changes in the latitudes that receive the most intense sunlight.
Module 10 Air Currents
Explain how the properties of air affect the way it moves in the atmosphere.
Air rises when it becomes less dense and sinks when it becomes more dense. Warm air has a higher saturation point for water vapor than cold air. Changes in air pressure result in adiabatic cooling or heating; when water condenses it emits heat, which is known as latent heat release.
Identify the factors that drive atmospheric convection currents.
Atmospheric convection currents are driven by the intense sunlight that strikes Earth near the tropics. This solar energy warms the surface of Earth, which causes moist air to rise, cool, and release water as precipitation. As the air continues to rise, it reaches the top of the troposphere. The air, which is now cold and dry, moves toward the poles until it descends at approximately 30° N or 30° S latitude. As it descends back to Earth’s surface, the air warms and then moves back toward the equator.
Describe how Earth’s rotation affects the movement of air currents.
Because the surface of Earth travels faster near the equator than near the poles, the Coriolis effect causes convection currents traveling north and south to be deflected, thereby creating trade winds, westerlies, and easterlies.
Explain how the movement of air currents over mountain ranges affects climates.
When moist air from the ocean moves up a mountain, the air cools and releases water as precipitation, which results in a moist environment on the windward side. On the other side of the mountain, the cool, dry air descends, which results in a dry environment on the leeward side of the mountain.
Module 11 Ocean Currents
Describe the patterns of surface ocean circulation.
Ocean currents are driven by a combination of temperature, gravity, prevailing winds, the Coriolis effect, and the locations of continents. Together, prevailing winds and ocean currents distribute heat and precipitation around the globe.
Explain the mixing of surface and deep ocean waters from thermohaline circulation.
As ocean water flows from the Gulf of Mexico to the North Atlantic, water evaporates or freezes, and this causes the remaining water to have a high salt concentration and therefore a high density. This dense water sinks to the bottom of the ocean and later comes back to the surface near the equator.
Identify the causes and consequences of the El Niño–
The El Niño–
Module 12 Terrestrial Biomes
Explain how we define terrestrial biomes.
Terrestrial biomes are categorized by the dominant plant forms that exist in a region.
Interpret climate diagrams.
Climate diagrams illustrate monthly patterns of temperature and precipitation during the year. They also illustrate the growing season of a biome and the months during which plants are more constrained by temperature or precipitation.
Identify the nine terrestrial biomes.
The nine terrestrial biomes are tundra, boreal forests, temperate rainforests, temperate seasonal forests, woodland/shrublands, temperate grasslands/cold deserts, tropical rainforests, tropical seasonal forests/savannas, and subtropical deserts.
Module 13 Aquatic Biomes
Identify the major freshwater biomes.
There are three types of freshwater biomes. Streams and rivers have flowing fresh water. Lakes and ponds have standing water, at least some of which is too deep to support emergent vegetation. Freshwater wetlands are submerged or saturated by water for at least part of the year, but shallow enough to support emergent vegetation.
Identify the major marine biomes.
There are five types of marine biomes. Salt marshes are found along the coast in temperate climates and contain nonwoody emergent vegetation. Mangrove swamps occur along tropical and subtropical coasts and contain trees that have roots submerged in the water. The intertidal zone is the narrow band of coastline that exists between the levels of high tide and low tide. Coral reefs are found in warm, shallow waters beyond the shoreline and represent Earth’s most diverse marine biome. The open ocean is characterized by deep water where sunlight can no longer reach the ocean bottom.