Climate & Biomes - Vocabulary Flashcards

Flashcards covering key terms from the lecture on Earth's energy budget, greenhouse gases, atmospheric circulation, ocean currents, and biomes.

Energy budget

The balance between incoming solar radiation and outgoing infrared radiation that drives Earth's climate.

Greenhouse gases (GHGs)

Atmospheric molecules that absorb and re-emit infrared radiation, warming the planet (examples: CO2, CH4, N2O, H2O, CFCs).

Greenhouse effect

Natural warming of Earth caused by GHGs trapping infrared radiation; without it, Earth would be much less warm.

Albedo

The fraction of solar energy reflected by a surface; surfaces with high albedo reflect more, surfaces with low albedo absorb more.

Global warming potential (GWP)

A relative measure of how much energy is absorbed by 1 ton of a gas over 100 years; CO2 = 1; CH4 ≈ 27–30; N2O ≈ 273; CFCs from ≈93 to >12,000.

Hadley cells

Broad tropical atmospheric circulation between the equator and ~30° latitude, with rising warm air at the equator and sinking air around 30°.

ITCZ (Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone)

Region near the equator where Hadley cells converge, producing heavy rainfall.

Ferrel cells

Mid-latitude atmospheric circulation between ~30° and 60° latitude, weaker than Hadley cells.

Polar cells

Polar atmospheric circulation near the poles where cold air sinks and flows toward mid-latitudes.

Coriolis effect

Deflection of moving air and water caused by Earth’s rotation, shaping wind and current directions.

Gyre

Large-scale circular ocean current pattern that redistributes heat around the globe, influenced by winds and the Coriolis effect.

Water vapor

A greenhouse gas that is a key driver of the natural greenhouse effect; its concentration increases with temperature.

Carbon dioxide (CO2)

A major greenhouse gas emitted from burning fossil fuels and respiration; baseline GWP of 1.

Methane (CH4)

A potent greenhouse gas with higher GWP than CO2 (≈27–30 over 100 years).

Nitrous oxide (N2O)

A greenhouse gas with a high Global Warming Potential (≈273 over 100 years).

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

Human-made greenhouse gases with very high Global Warming Potential (often >90; some >12,000).

Biome

Geographic region defined by climate and by organisms with similar adaptations; terrestrial biomes are distinguished by dominant vegetation.

Tropical rainforest

Warm, wet biome with very high biodiversity; located near the equator and threatened by deforestation.

Tropical seasonal forest / savanna

Tropics with distinct wet and dry seasons and a mix of grasses and scattered trees.

Subtropical desert

Hot, dry biome with very low precipitation and sparse vegetation.

Temperate rainforest

Coastal temperate biome with high rainfall and lush evergreen forests.

Temperate seasonal forest

Biome with four seasons and moderate to high precipitation; typically deciduous or mixed forests.

Woodland / shrubland

Biome with hot, dry summers and mild winters; dominated by shrubs and scattered trees.

Temperate grassland / cold desert

Grass-dominated biome with moderate moisture; includes prairies and steppe environments.

Boreal forest (taiga)

Cold, northern coniferous forest biome; large carbon storage and long winters.

Tundra

Cold, dry biome with a short growing season and permafrost; low vegetation.

Permafrost

Permanently frozen soil layer in high-latitude regions; stores large amounts of carbon.

Active layer

Seasonally thawed upper soil layer above permafrost that becomes biologically active in summer.

Proximity to coasts

Near-coast locations tend to have milder temperatures and different precipitation patterns than inland areas.

Deforestation

Removal of forest cover, leading to biodiversity loss, altered water cycles, and climate feedbacks.

ITCZ seasonal shift

Seasonal movement of the ITCZ with the solar equator, driving tropical precipitation patterns.

Growing season

Period when mean temperature is above 0°C, enabling plant growth.

Climate diagram

Graph showing monthly mean temperature and precipitation used to infer biome characteristics.

Ocean currents

Water movement in the oceans (e.g., gyres) that redistribute heat and influence regional climates.

Albedo ranges

Typical reflectivity values for surfaces: sea ice and fresh snow are high reflectors; forests and water are low reflectors; clouds vary.