Geography Unit 2 - Pt 2

Weather

The day-to-day conditions of the atmosphere at a particular time and place

Climate

The average weather conditions of a region measured over a long period of time (30+ years)

Line Graph (Red)

The part of a climate graph that represents temperature in degrees Celsius

Bar Graph (Blue)

The part of a climate graph that represents precipitation in millimeters (mm)

Annual Temperature Range

Calculation: Highest Temperature minus Lowest Temperature

Continental Climate

A climate characterized by a large temperature range (>25°C) and low precipitation (<1000mm)

Maritime Climate

A climate characterized by a small temperature range (

Moderating Effect

The influence that large bodies of water have on nearby land keeping summers cooler and winters warmer

LOWERN

Acronym for the factors affecting climate: Latitude Ocean Currents Winds Elevation Relief Near Water

Latitude

Factor where locations further from the equator receive less heat due to the Earth's curve

North Pacific Current

A warm current that gives British Columbia a milder climate than the rest of Canada

Labrador Current

A cold current that meets the Gulf Stream creating nutrient-rich waters and heavy fog

Gulf Stream

A warm current from the south that meets the Labrador Current near Atlantic Canada

Westerlies

Canada's prevailing winds that blow from the West to the East

Jet Stream

A fast-moving (300km/h) air current that separates cold polar air from warm tropical air

Air Mass

A huge body of air with uniform temperature and moisture (e.g. mT = maritime Tropical)

Lapse Rate (Dry)

The rate at which air cools before the condensation line (1°C per 100m)

Lapse Rate (Wet)

The rate at which air cools after the condensation line (0.6°C per 100m)

Condensation Line

The altitude at which rising air cools enough for water vapour to turn into liquid (clouds form)

Relief Precipitation

Rain caused by air being forced to rise over mountains found in B.C

Windward Slope

The side of the mountain facing the wind

Leeward Slope

The side of the mountain facing away from the prevailing winds

Rain Shadow

The dry area on the leeward side of a mountain where precipitation is low

Convectional Precipitation

Rain caused by the sun heating the ground creating rising air common in the Prairies in summer

Frontal Precipitation

Rain caused when a cold dense air mass forces a warm air mass to rise common in Ontario

Cold Front

A boundary where cold air pushes warm air up steeply causing heavy short-lived storms

Warm Front

A boundary where warm air rises gradually over cold air causing long-lasting light rain

Minerals, Bacteria/Organic Matter, Air, Moisture

The four essential components of soil

Humus

The dark top layer of soil made of decayed organic matter that provides nutrients

Topsoil (A Horizon)

The upper layer of soil rich in organic material and dark in color

Midsoil (B horizon)

The middle layer of soil, less dark in colour.

Parent Material (C Horizon)

The bottom layer of soil usually bedrock or glacial deposits from which soil is formed

Leaching

Process in wet climates where water moves downward washing minerals away from roots

Calcification

Process in dry climates where water evaporates pulling minerals upward to the surface

Capillary Action

The upward movement of water through small soil pores in dry climates

Permafrost

Ground that stays frozen all year creates challenges for building in the North

Coniferous Trees

Evergreen trees with needles and acidic sap "antifreeze" (e.g. Spruce Pine)

Deciduous Trees

Trees with leaves that drop in the fall require at least 5 months of 10°C weather (e.g. Maple Oak)

Boreal Forest

Canada's largest vegetation zone dominated by coniferous trees

Tundra

The northernmost vegetation zone where it is too cold for trees and soil is permafrost

Mixedwood Plains

The ecozone we live in (Toronto/Southern Ontario) a mix of deciduous and coniferous trees

Transition Zone

An area where the characteristics of one vegetation region gradually change into another

Ecozone

A region based on a combination of physical biological and human factors

15

The number of terrestrial (land) ecozones found in Canada

Tree Line

The boundary between the Boreal Forest and the Tundra beyond which trees cannot grow

Physical Factors

Ecozone characteristics including landforms climate and soil

Biological Factors

Ecozone characteristics including wildlife and natural vegetation

Human Factors

Ecozone characteristics including urbanization farming and populatio