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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.
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