Chapter 4 APES review

Climate

The average weather that occurs in a given region over a long period of time.

Weather

The short-term conditions of the atmosphere in a local area, which include temperature, humidity, clouds, precipitation, and wind speed.

Troposphere

A layer of the atmosphere closest to the surface of Earth, extending up to approximately 16 km (10 miles).

Stratosphere

The layer of the atmosphere above the troposphere, extending roughly 16 to 50 km (10-31 miles) above the surface of Earth.

Albedo

The percentage of incoming sunlight reflected from a surface.

Saturation point

The maximum amount of water vapor in the air at a given temperature.

Adiabatic cooling

The cooling effect of reduced pressure on air as it rises higher in the atmosphere and expands.

Adiabatic heating

The heating effect of increased pressure on air as it sinks toward the surface of Earth and decreases in volume.

Latent heat release

The release of energy when water vapor in the atmosphere condenses into liquid water.

Atmospheric convection current

Global patterns of air movement that are initiated by the unequal heating of Earth.

Hadley cell

A convection current in the atmosphere that cycles between the equator and 30°N and 30°S.

Intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ)

The latitude that receives the most intense sunlight, which causes the ascending branches of the two Hadley cells to converge.

Polar cell

A convection current in the atmosphere, formed by air that rises at 60°N and 60°S and sinks at the poles, 90°N and 90°S.

Thermosphere

A layer of the atmosphere where temperatures can reach 1,750°C (3,182°F).

Earth's tilt

The Earth's axis of rotation is tilted 23.5˚.

Tropical regions

Regions near the equator that receive more solar energy than mid-latitude and polar regions.

Solar energy

The energy from the Sun that warms the surface of Earth.

Seasons

Predictable changes in climate caused by Earth's axial tilt as it orbits the Sun.

Ferrell cell

A convection current in the atmosphere that lies between Hadley cells and polar cells.

Hadley cells

Atmospheric convection currents that operate between the equator and 30°N and 30°S.

Coriolis effect

The deflection of an object's path due to the rotation of Earth.

Prevailing wind patterns

Wind patterns around the world produced by a combination of atmospheric convection currents and the Coriolis effect.

Rain shadow

A region with dry conditions found on the leeward side of a mountain range as a result of humid winds from the ocean causing precipitation on the windward side.

Ocean currents

Movements of ocean water driven by a combination of temperature, gravity, prevailing winds, the Coriolis effect, and the locations of continents.

Gyre

A large-scale pattern of water circulation that moves clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and counterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.

Upwelling

The upward movement of ocean water toward the surface as a result of diverging currents.

Desert environments

Regions that develop due to the descent of hot, dry air at approximately 30°N and 30°S.

Windward side

The side of a mountain range that faces the wind, where air rises and cools, leading to precipitation.

Leeward side

The side of a mountain range that is sheltered from the wind, where cold, dry air descends and warms.

Differential heating

The variation in temperature across different areas, which drives oceanic circulation patterns.

Trade winds

Prevailing winds in the tropics that drive the gyres in the ocean.

Westerlies

Prevailing winds at mid-latitudes that also influence ocean currents.

Nutrient upwelling

The process by which nutrients from the ocean bottom are brought to the surface, supporting large populations of producers and fish.

Atmospheric convection currents

Air movements driven by temperature differences that contribute to weather patterns.

Cloud formation

The process that occurs when water vapor condenses as air cools, leading to precipitation.

Pressure systems

Systems that influence weather patterns and are affected by the Coriolis effect.

Oceanic circulation patterns

Patterns of water movement in the ocean resulting from various factors including temperature and wind.

Coriolis effect in action

The observed deflection of a ball thrown from the North Pole toward the equator, which would be deflected to the west.

Climate zones

Regions of the Earth characterized by distinct weather patterns influenced by atmospheric and oceanic processes.

Thermohaline circulation

An oceanic circulation pattern that drives the mixing of surface water and deep water.

Deep ocean currents

Currents that circulate ocean water over long time periods.

El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO)

A reversal of wind and water currents in the South Pacific.

Terrestrial biome

A geographic region categorized by a particular combination of average annual temperature, annual precipitation, and distinctive plant growth forms on land.

Aquatic biome

An aquatic region characterized by a particular combination of salinity, depth, and water flow.

Tundra

A cold and treeless biome with low-growing vegetation.

Permafrost

An impermeable, permanently frozen layer of soil.

Boreal forest

A forest biome made up primarily of coniferous evergreen trees that can tolerate cold winters and short growing seasons.

Climate diagrams

Diagrams that display monthly temperature and precipitation values, which help determine the productivity of a biome.

Tundra's growing season

Very short, usually only about 4 months during summer.

Boreal forests location

Found between about 50˚ and 60˚ N in Europe, Russia, and North America.

Boreal forest climate

Very cold climate where plant growth is more constrained by temperature than precipitation.

Nutrient-poor soil

Soil in boreal forests due to slow decomposition.

Upwelling suppression

Occurs when warm water and air move toward South America, decreasing productivity and reducing fish populations near the coast.

Salt concentration increase

Happens when water from the Gulf of Mexico to the North Atlantic freezes or evaporates, leaving salt behind.

Deep, cold current

Created by the sinking of dense, salty water in the North Atlantic that moves slowly around the world.

Nine terrestrial biomes

Include tundra, boreal forest, temperate rainforest, temperate seasonal forest, woodland/shrubland, temperate grassland/cold desert, tropical rainforest, tropical seasonal forest/savanna, and subtropical desert.

Surface currents reversal

Occurs every 3 to 7 years due to the interaction of the Earth's atmosphere and ocean.

Warm equatorial water movement

Moves eastward toward the west coast of South America during an El Niño year.

Cold, salty water density

Relatively dense, causing it to sink to the bottom of the ocean.

Temperate Rainforest

A coastal biome typified by moderate temperatures and high precipitation.

Temperate Rainforest Location

Found along the west coast of North America from northern California to Alaska, in southern Chile, on the west coast of New Zealand, and on the island of Tasmania.

Growing Season in Temperate Rainforest

Nearly 12-month growing season where winters are rainy and summers are foggy.

Temperate Seasonal Forest

A biome with warm summers and cold winters with over 1 m (39 inches) of precipitation annually.

Temperate Seasonal Forest Location

Found in the eastern United States, Japan, China, Europe, Chile, and eastern Australia.

Dominant Trees in Temperate Seasonal Forest

Dominated by broadleaf deciduous trees such as beech, maple, oak, and hickory.

Soil in Temperate Seasonal Forest

Soils generally contain more nutrients than those of boreal forests.

Woodland/Shrubland

A biome characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters.

Woodland/Shrubland Location

Found on the coast of southern California, southern Australia, southern Africa, and in the area surrounding the Mediterranean Sea.

Plant Growth in Woodland/Shrubland

Plant growth is constrained by low precipitation in summer and by relatively low temperatures in winter.

Wildfires in Woodland/Shrubland

Wildfires are common and plants of this biome are well adapted to both fire and drought.

Temperate Grassland/Cold Desert

A biome characterized by cold, harsh winters, and hot, dry summers.

Precipitation in Temperate Grassland/Cold Desert

Lowest average annual precipitation of any temperate biome.

Temperate Grassland/Cold Desert Location

Found in the Great Plains of North America, in South America, and in central Asia and eastern Europe.

Plant Adaptations in Temperate Grassland/Cold Desert

Plants include grasses and nonwoody flowering plants well-adapted to wildfires and frequent grazing by animals.

Tropical Rainforest

A warm and wet biome found between 20°N and 20°S of the equator, with little seasonal temperature variation and high precipitation.

Average Temperature in Tropical Rainforest

Average annual temperatures exceed 20˚C.

Tropical Rainforest Location

Found in Central and South America, Africa, Southeast Asia, and northeastern Australia.

Biodiversity in Tropical Rainforest

Tropical rainforests contain more biodiversity per hectare than any other terrestrial biome; contain up to two-thirds of Earth's terrestrial species.

Tropical Seasonal Forest/Savanna

A biome marked by warm temperatures and distinct wet and dry seasons.

Tropical Seasonal Forest/Savanna Location

Common in much of Central America, on the Atlantic coast of South America, in southern Asia, in northwestern Australia, and in sub-Saharan Africa.

Soil Fertility in Tropical Seasonal Forest/Savanna

Soil in this biome is fairly fertile and can be farmed due to high decomposition rates.

Plant Composition in Tropical Seasonal Forest/Savanna

Grasses and scattered deciduous trees are common.

Tropical seasonal forest

A biome with warm temperatures and distinct wet and dry seasons, featuring dense stands of shrubs and trees to open landscapes dominated by grasses and scattered deciduous trees.

Savannas

A biome characterized by warm temperatures and distinct wet and dry seasons, with vegetation ranging from dense stands of shrubs and trees to open landscapes dominated by grasses.

Subtropical Desert

A biome prevailing at approximately 30°N and 30°S, with hot temperatures, extremely dry conditions, and sparse vegetation.

Mojave Desert

A subtropical desert located in the southwestern United States.

Sahara Desert

A subtropical desert located in Africa.

Arabian Desert

A subtropical desert located in the Middle East.

Great Victoria Desert

A subtropical desert located in Australia.

Cacti

Plants well adapted to the subtropical desert biome.

Euphorbs

Plants well adapted to the subtropical desert biome.

Freshwater biomes

Biomes that have low salinity and include streams, rivers, lakes, ponds, and freshwater wetlands.

Streams and Rivers

Flowing fresh water that may originate from underground springs or as runoff from rain or melting snow.

Lakes and Ponds

Bodies of standing water, with lakes being larger than ponds and some areas too deep to support emergent vegetation.

Littoral zone

The shallow zone of soil and water in lakes and ponds where most algae and emergent plants grow.

Limnetic zone

A zone of open water in lakes and ponds.

Phytoplankton

Floating algae found in aquatic environments.

Profundal zone

A region of water in very deep lakes where sunlight does not reach, located below the limnetic zone.

Benthic zone

The muddy bottom of a lake, pond, or ocean.

Oligotrophic

Describes a lake with a low level of productivity.