Comprehensive APES Climate, Biomes, and Ecosystem Services

What factors affect climate?

Long-term patterns of temperature, humidity, wind, and precipitation in a particular area.

What is the main source of energy for Earth's climate?

Solar radiation.

How does solar radiation vary with latitude?

As latitude increases, average temperature decreases.

What is albedo?

The measure of how much light that reaches the Earth's surface is reflected back into space.

What is insolation?

The measurable amount of solar radiation reaching the surface at a particular location, usually in kWh/m²/day.

What is the angle of insolation?

The angle at which the sun's rays hit the planet, affecting the intensity of solar radiation received.

What seasonal changes occur due to the angle of insolation?

Regions receive the most radiation on the longest summer day and the least on the shortest winter day.

What is the Coriolis effect?

The deflection of wind and currents due to the Earth's rotation, causing them to move in a curved path.

How do prevailing winds differ in direction?

Winds are named from their point of origin; for example, westerlies come from the west and travel east.

What are Hadley cells?

Convection currents that cycle between the equator and 30° N and S, creating trade winds and hot deserts.

What causes atmospheric convection currents?

Unequal heating of Earth's surface, leading to air movement as warm air rises and cool air sinks.

What is the saturation point in relation to air?

The maximum amount of water vapor that can be held in the air at a specific temperature.

What happens during adiabatic cooling?

As air rises, pressure decreases, causing it to expand, lower in temperature, and potentially lead to precipitation.

What occurs during adiabatic heating?

As air sinks, pressure increases, causing it to compress, raise in temperature, and lead to evaporation.

What are surface currents in the ocean?

Continuous movements of seawater caused by wind patterns and the Coriolis effect.

What is the Gulf Stream?

A major ocean current that was mapped by Benjamin Franklin, influencing transatlantic ship routes.

What are the two main types of ocean currents?

Surface currents and deep ocean currents.

How does the Coriolis effect influence ocean currents?

It deflects currents to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere.

What role do convection currents play in climate?

They transport heat, moisture, and weather patterns, significantly impacting global biomes.

What is the significance of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)?

It is where two Hadley cells converge, leading to high precipitation and intense sunlight at the equator.

What is the difference between warm and cool air in terms of density?

Warm air is less dense and rises, while cool air is more dense and sinks.

What is latent heat release?

The energy released when water vapor condenses, contributing to rainfall and storm systems.

What is the impact of Earth's 23.5 degree tilt on seasons?

It causes seasonal changes as different parts of the Earth receive varying amounts of solar radiation.

What is the relationship between air density and temperature?

Low-density air (warmer) rises, while high-density air (cooler) sinks.

How do ocean currents affect climate?

They help regulate temperatures and weather patterns across different regions.

Who created the first map of the Gulf Stream?

Benjamin Franklin

What are the three main factors that form gyres?

Wind, Coriolis Effect, and Landmasses

How do gyres affect the planet's climate?

They stabilize global climate and moderate temperatures in coastal regions.

What is upwelling?

A localized process where winds push surface water away, causing nutrient-rich water from the deep ocean to rise.

What drives deep ocean currents?

Thermohaline circulation

What happens to ocean water at the poles during thermohaline circulation?

Ocean water freezes, increasing salinity and density, causing it to sink.

What is the 'Global Conveyor Belt'?

A continuous global circulation of water that moves cold water along the ocean floor and brings warm water from the equator toward the poles.

What could potentially disrupt thermohaline circulation?

Increased freshwater from melting glaciers could lead to a shutdown of circulation.

How does elevation affect temperature?

As elevation increases, average temperature decreases due to less dense air cooling.

What is the Rain Shadow Effect?

A phenomenon where air loses moisture as it rises over a mountain, leading to wet conditions on the windward side and dry conditions on the leeward side.

How does proximity to a large body of water affect climate?

It results in smaller temperature ranges, cooler summers, and warmer winters due to the regulating effect of water.

What is the Urban Heat Island Effect?

Urban areas become warmer than rural areas due to construction materials, lack of vegetation, and industrial exhaust.

What are some ways to mitigate the Urban Heat Island Effect?

Increasing vegetation, creating green roofs, and using cool pavements.

What happens during El Niño conditions?

Trade winds weaken or reverse, pushing warm water towards the western coasts of the Americas, causing less upwelling and affecting marine life.

What characterizes La Niña conditions?

An extreme version of normal conditions where trade winds strengthen, pushing warm water away from the Americas and leading to cooler ocean temperatures.

What is Gross Primary Productivity (GPP)?

The total rate of photosynthesis in a given area.

What is Net Primary Productivity (NPP)?

The rate of energy storage by photosynthesizers after accounting for energy lost to respiration.

What biomes typically have the highest Net Primary Productivity?

Warm and wet areas, such as estuaries and tropical rainforests.

What is the formula for calculating Net Primary Productivity?

NPP = GPP - R (where R is respiration).

What is the significance of upwelling for marine life?

It brings nutrients and dissolved oxygen from the deep ocean to the surface, supporting productive fisheries and ecosystems.

How do gyres contribute to plastic pollution?

They collect and trap floating marine debris, forming large garbage patches.

What is the impact of large lakes on local climate?

They moderate temperature differences and can enhance precipitation downwind of major weather systems.

What are the typical effects of El Niño on the Southern USA?

Wetter and cooler winters.

What are the typical effects of La Niña on Australia?

Increased rainfall and flood risk.

What is the relationship between biomes and biodiversity?

Biomes are characterized by distinctive communities of plants and animals adapted to their climate, and their biodiversity can be measured by primary productivity.

What is primary succession?

The process by which a community arises in a lifeless area with no soil, eventually leading to a stable climax community.

What typically causes the initial bare rock in primary succession?

Glacial retreat, volcanic activity, and landslides.

What are pioneer species?

Species like mosses and lichens that first colonize bare rock and help create soil.

What role do pioneer species play in primary succession?

They add organic matter to weathered rock particles, contributing to soil formation.

What types of organisms are found in early successional species?

Perennials, annuals, and biennials such as grasses and wildflowers.

What is the significance of roots in early successional species?

Roots break apart rocks into smaller pieces, aiding in soil formation.

What characterizes mid-successional species?

They include shrubs and shade-intolerant trees that require direct sunlight.

What defines a climax community?

A complex, stable community with a high level of biodiversity, influenced by temperature and precipitation.

What is secondary succession?

The process that follows a disturbance that destroys a climax community but does not destroy the soil.

What factors determine the type of biome that forms in a region?

Temperature and precipitation.

What are climatographs?

Visual representations that depict the average monthly temperature and precipitation for a specific location over a typical year.

What does the X-axis represent in a climatograph?

The months of the year.

What does the left Y-axis represent in a climatograph?

Average monthly temperature, typically shown as a line graph.

What does the right Y-axis represent in a climatograph?

Average monthly precipitation, typically shown as a bar graph.

What are terrestrial biomes defined by?

Dominant plant growth forms and annual temperature and precipitation.

What are aquatic biomes defined by?

Factors such as salinity, depth, oxygen levels, amount of light, and water flow.

What is a tropical rainforest characterized by?

High diversity, productivity, and stability, with temperatures between 20°C to 30°C and high precipitation.

What are common animals found in tropical rainforests?

Great apes, monkeys, sloths, and toucans.

What defines a desert biome?

Low precipitation (0 cm to 100 cm) and the presence of drought-resistant plants like cacti.

What is the temperature range typically found in deserts?

18°C to 31°C, with daily fluctuations.

What characterizes the taiga biome?

Cold temperatures, coniferous trees, and a short growing season.

What types of trees are primarily found in the taiga?

Cold-resistant coniferous trees such as pine and spruce.

What defines temperate grasslands?

Low precipitation, favoring grasses, with temperatures ranging from -5°C to 20°C.

What are common animals found in temperate grasslands?

Bison, zebras, rhinoceroses, and prairie dogs.

What characterizes a temperate deciduous forest?

Four distinct seasons, moderate temperatures, and a mix of deciduous and coniferous trees.

What is a savanna biome characterized by?

Grasses and clusters of trees, with a wet season and dry season.

What is the temperature range in a tundra biome?

-30°C to -5°C, with very low plant productivity.

What is permafrost?

Permanently frozen soil that hinders plant growth in the tundra biome.

What impact does climate change have on biomes?

It affects which biomes thrive and which shrink due to human activities.

What are the two main categories of aquatic biomes?

Freshwater Biomes and Saltwater (Marine) Biomes.

What types of environments are included in Freshwater Biomes?

Streams & rivers, lakes & ponds, and freshwater wetlands (bogs, marshes, and swamps).

What are the components of Saltwater (Marine) Biomes?

Intertidal zones, coral reefs, open ocean, and marine wetlands (estuaries, marshes, swamps).

What condition dictates the rate of photosynthesis in aquatic biomes?

The amount of light.

What are the limiting nutrient factors that promote plant growth in aquatic environments?

Nitrates and phosphates.

What does salinity refer to in aquatic environments?

The salt content found in a sample of water.

What is turbidity and how does it affect water clarity?

The amount of suspended sediment or material in water; high turbidity makes water cloudy, while low turbidity makes it clear.

What is the Littoral Zone in freshwater stratification?

The zone near the shoreline that supports vegetation and is very productive.

What characterizes the Limnetic Zone?

The middle of the lake or pond that does not support rooted vegetation but is productive due to algae and phytoplankton.

What is the Photic Zone?

The area where light can penetrate, including the littoral and limnetic zones.

What is the Aphotic Zone?

A deep, dark area where light cannot penetrate, and no photosynthesis occurs.

What is the Benthic Zone?

The floor of the lake or pond that includes sediment and is rich in nutrients from decomposing organisms.

What defines the Intertidal Zone?

Narrow areas of coastline that exist between high and low tide, requiring species to adapt to extreme conditions.

What is the Pelagic Zone?

The largest open area on Earth, spanning from the surface to just above the seafloor.

What is the difference between the Photic and Aphotic Zones in the Pelagic Zone?

The Photic Zone receives sunlight, allowing photosynthesis, while the Aphotic Zone is dark and does not support photosynthesis.

What are Oligotrophic lakes characterized by?

Low nutrients but high dissolved oxygen (DO).

What defines Eutrophic lakes?

High nutrients and low dissolved oxygen (DO), often leading to algal blooms.

What are the three types of Freshwater Wetlands?

Freshwater marshes, freshwater swamps, and bogs.

What is a key characteristic of Freshwater Marshes?

They contain non-woody vegetation like grasses and are highly productive.

What distinguishes Freshwater Swamps?

They are made up of woody vegetation like trees and shrubs and have poor drainage.

What are Bogs primarily characterized by?

Nutrient-poor and highly acidic conditions due to rainwater and decaying organic matter.