Geo Study Guide

Tropical climates

Wet all year, e.g., tropical rainforests.

Dry climates

Include deserts and semiarid regions.

Mild temperate climates

Include regions like Mediterranean and mid-latitude forests.

Cold climates

Characterized by boreal forests and subarctic conditions.

Polar climates

Include tundra and ice cap regions.

Latitude

Influences biome temperature and precipitation based on proximity to the equator.

Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)

A region where trade winds converge, affecting tropical rainforest climates.

Ocean currents

Movements of water that influence temperature and precipitation in coastal biomes.

Seasonal changes

Affect the distribution of grasslands, tropical forests, and deserts.

Net Primary Productivity (NPP)

The rate of organic matter production in ecosystems, highest in tropical rainforests.

Primary succession

Starts on bare rock, with no previous soil.

Secondary succession

Follows disturbances such as fire or logging.

Riparian zones

Vegetation along rivers, crucial for maintaining biodiversity.

Deforestation

The clearing of forests, driven by agriculture, logging, and urbanization.

Physical weathering

Breaks down rocks without altering their chemical composition.

Chemical weathering

Alters the mineral composition of rocks through chemical reactions.

Angle of repose

The steepest angle at which loose material remains stable.

Evapotranspiration (ET)

The process that combines evaporation from land and transpiration from plants.

Water surplus

When precipitation exceeds potential evapotranspiration.

Water deficit

When potential evapotranspiration exceeds precipitation.

Greenhouse effect

The trapping of heat in the atmosphere by greenhouse gases.

Convection and wind patterns

Movements of air that influence weather and climate conditions.

Climate change

Long-term alterations in temperature and weather patterns, often tied to global warming.

Trade Winds

Winds that blow from east to west in the tropics, influencing climate and ocean currents.

Biomes

Large ecological areas on the earth's surface, with flora and fauna adapting to their environment.

Weathering

The process that breaks down rocks into smaller particles, influencing soil formation.

Erosion

The removal of soil and rock from one location to another by wind, water, or ice.

Mass Movements

The shifting of rock and soil down a slope due to gravity, including landslides and avalanches.

Water Balance

The relationship between precipitation, evaporation, and water storage in an ecosystem.

Soil Formation

The process that results in the creation of soil through weathering and organic accumulation.

Hydrological Cycle

The continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth.

Permeability

The ability of soil or rock to transmit water, impacting drainage and groundwater recharge.

Groundwater Recharge

The process where water from precipitation and surface water percolates down into the ground.

Sediment Transport

The movement of solid particles, often due to water flow, wind, or ice.

Savanna

A biome characterized by grasslands with scattered trees, found in tropical and subtropical regions.

Temperate Forests

Biomes with distinct seasons and a variety of trees, including deciduous and evergreen species.

Deserts

Biomes that receive less than 10 inches of rain a year, characterized by extreme temperature fluctuations.

Tundra

A cold biome where the subsoil is permanently frozen, with low vegetation and short growing seasons.

Grasslands

Biomes dominated by grasses, with few trees, often found in regions with moderate rainfall.