The Biosphere

Net primary productivity

The amount of energy available for next trophic level (photosynthesis - respiration)

Biosphere

Includes ALL living communities on Earth

What are global patterns of life on Earth influenced by

1. Amount of solar radiation that reaches different areas

2. Patterns of global atmospheric circulation which influence oceanic circulation

Solar energy on Earth

Passes through the atmosphere and its intensity and wavelength are modified. Half of energy is absorbed within the atmosphere

Angle of incidence

Some parts of Earth’s surface receives more energy from the sun than others which greatly affects the climate

Earth’s orbit

Orbits around the sun and its daily rotation affects the climate and progression of seasons on ALL parts of Earth

Regional and local effects

Differences affect terrestrial ecosystems

Elevation

Temperature and other conditions change with elevation

Microclimates

Highly localized sets of climatic conditions

Biomes

A major type of ecosystem on land that is unique and defined largely by sets of regional climatic conditions

Precipitation and temperature are predictions of biome destruction