Terrestrial Biomes and Global Wind Patterns: Climate and Earth's Geography

Desert

<20in rain/year, extreme temperature swings, CAM photosynthesis, nocturnal animals, water storage adaptations

Tropical Rainforest

>80in rain/year, near equator, highest biodiversity, multilayered canopy, nutrient-poor soils

Temperate Deciduous Forest

Distinct seasons, broadleaf trees shed annually, fertile leaf-litter soils, eastern North America/Europe/Asia

Taiga/Boreal

Largest terrestrial biome, cold-tolerant conifers, long cold winters, permafrost in north

Temperate Coniferous

Coastal regions, mild winters, needle-leaf evergreens, waxy needles, conical shape

Grassland

Dominated by grasses, 20-50in rain, deep fertile soils, fire-adapted

Tundra

Coldest, permafrost, short growing season, low shrubs/mosses/lichens

Biome Distribution

Determined by temperature and precipitation patterns

Latitude

Equatorial = rainforest, poles = tundra

Altitude

Creates biome shifts (mountain biomes)

Hadley Cells

Warm air rises at equator, sinks at 30° → creates trade winds & deserts

Ferrel Cells

Mid-latitude westerlies, variable weather

Polar Cells

Polar easterlies, cold dry air

Coriolis Effect

Deflects winds right in N Hemisphere, left in S Hemisphere

High pressure

Descending air, clear skies, dry conditions

Low pressure

Rising air, clouds, precipitation

Trade winds

Easterly winds from 30° to equator

Westerlies

West-to-east winds in mid-latitudes

ITCZ (Intertropical Convergence Zone)

Where trade winds meet, rising air, heavy rain

Subtropical highs

30° latitude, sinking air, creates deserts

Solar intensity

Depends on: latitude, season, time of day, angle of incidence

Earth's axial tilt

23.5° causes seasons

Equinoxes

Equal day/night, sun directly over equator

Solstices

Sun directly over Tropic of Cancer (June) or Capricorn (December)

Rain shadow effect

Mountains force air up → cools → precipitates → dry leeward side