AP Environmental Science Chapter 4

Climate

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

Troposphere

a layer of the atmosphere closest to the surface of Earth, extending up to approximately 16 km and containing most of the atmosphere's nitrogen, oxygen, and water vapor

Stratosphere

the layer of the atmosphere above the troposphere, extending roughly 16 to 50 km 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 sinks toward the surface of Earth and decreases in volume

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

Hadley Cells

convection currents in the atmosphere that cycle between the equator and 30˚ N and 30˚ S

Intertropical Convergence Zone

an area of Earth that receives the most intense sunlight; where the ascending branches of the two Hadley cells converge

Polar Cells

convection cells in the atmosphere, formed by that rises at 60˚ N and 60˚ S and sinks at the poles, 90˚ N and 90˚ S

Coriolis Effect

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

Gyres

large-scale patterns of water circulation that moves clockwise in the Northeastern Hemisphere and counterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere

Upwelling

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

Thermohaline Circulation

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

El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO)

the periodic changes in winds and ocean currents, causing cooler and wetter conditions in the southeastern United States and unusually dry weather in southern Africa and Southeast Asia

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

Biomes

geographic regions categorized by a particular combination of average annual temperature, annual precipitation, and distinctive plant growth forms on land, and a particular combination of salinity, depth, and water flower in water

Tundra

a cold and treeless biome with low-growing vegetation

Permafrost

an impermeable, permanently frozen layer of soil

Boreal Forests

forests made up primarily of coniferous evergreen trees that can tolerate cold winters and short growing seasons

Temperate Rainforests

a coastal biome typified by moderate temperatures and high precipitation

Temperate Seasonal Forests

a biome with warmer summers and colder winters than temperate rainforests and dominated by deciduous trees

Woodland/Shrubland

a biome characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters

Temperate Grassland/Cold Desert

a biome characterized by cold, harsh winters, and hot, dry summers

Tropical Rainforests

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

Tropical Seasonal Rainforests

a biome marked by warm temperatures and distinct wet and dry seasons

Savannas

another name for tropical seasonal rainforests; a biome marked by warm temperatures and distinct wet and dry seasons

Subtropical Deserts

a biome prevailing at approximately 30˚ N and 30˚ S, with hot temperatures, extremely dry conditions, and sparse 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

Profundal Zone

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

Benthic Zone

the muddy bottom of a lake, pond, or ocean

Salt Marshes

marshes containing nonwoody emergent vegetation, found along the coast in temperate climates

Mangrove Swamps

swamps that occurs along tropical and subtropical coasts, and contain salt-tolerant trees with roots submerged in water

Intertidal Zone

the narrow band of coastline between the levels of high tide and low tide

Coral Reefs

the most diverse marine biome on Earth, found in warm, shallow waters beyond the shoreline

Coral Bleaching

a phenomenon in which algae inside corals die, causing the corals to turn white

Photic Zone

the upper layer of water in the ocean that receives enough sunlight for photosynthesis

Aphotic Zone

the layer of ocean water that lacks sufficient sunlight for photosynthesis

Chemosynthesis

a process used by some bacteria in the ocean to generate energy with methane and hydrogen sulfide