Lecture Notes on Global Climate Change

Flashcards covering key terminology and concepts from the lecture on global climate change, including definitions of various environmental and climatic terms.

Biosphere

All living organisms on Earth and the environments they live in.

Atmosphere

The envelope of gases surrounding Earth.

Hydrosphere

The water system on Earth, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and water vapor.

Geosphere

The solid parts of Earth, including rocks and soil.

Cryosphere

The ice system of Earth, including glaciers and polar ice caps.

Solar Radiation

Energy emitted by the sun, which varies in intensity at different latitudes due to the Earth's curvature.

Adiabatic Process

A change in air temperature due to the expansion or contraction of air.

Hadley Cell

A system of circulating air cells between the equator and 30° latitude, characterized by rising warm air and cooling as it descends.

Trade Winds

Winds created as air descends at 30° latitude and returns toward the equator.

Doldrums

Maritime equatorial regions where rising air creates areas of no significant winds at the surface.

Ferrel Cell

Air mass circulating between 30° and 60° latitude, characterized by more complex weather patterns.

Coriolis Effect

The deflection of moving air and water due to the rotation of Earth, affecting wind and ocean currents.

Mediterranean Climate

A climate characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters, often found near coasts.

Rain Shadow Effect

An area with reduced rainfall due to mountains blocking moist air from reaching the area.

Primary Productivity

The creation of organic material by plants through photosynthesis.

Terrestrial Biomes

Large geographic areas defined by similar climatic and physical factors that support characteristic plant and animal communities.

Temperature (°C)

A measure of thermal energy; impacts climate and the types of biomes present in an area.

Permafrost

A permanently frozen layer of soil found in polar regions, which affects plant growth and soil composition.

Vertical Zonation

The distinct layering of vegetation and organisms in relation to elevation or latitude.

Tundra

A biome found in polar regions characterized by low temperatures, short growing seasons, and a lack of trees.

Aquatic Biomes

Ecosystems in water, classified into freshwater, marine, and estuarine zones.

Estuary

A coastal area where freshwater from rivers meets and mixes with saltwater from the ocean.

Coral Reefs

Diverse underwater ecosystems held together by calcium carbonate structures secreted by corals.

Human Influence on Climate

The impacts of human activities, such as greenhouse gas emissions, on global temperature and weather patterns.