Spheres and Biomes

Why is sunlight more concentrated near the equator (and vice versa)?

Because of Earth’s spherical shape.

What changes temperature quickly?

Water

Altitude

The distance of a place above sea level. At higher altitudes, the air is thinner, so it cannot retain as much solar power.

Air mass

Large body of air with similar temperature and moisture within it.

Maritime air mass

Form over water and are moist

What are air masses moved by?

Earth’s rotation and the jet stream

Jet stream

A fast moving band of air high above Earth that moves air masses from west to east

What do air masses bring as they move?

New precipitation conditions and temperatures to different regions

Current

Like a river flowing within the ocean, moving fast from one place to the next. Caused by differences in temperature, salt in water, and wind

Biome- Tundra: average annual temperature

-15 to 5 degrees Celsius

Biome- Tundra: description

Short summer, 20-30 days

Biome- Tundra: animals

Arctic fox, caribou, musk oxen, polar bears, ptarmigan, mosquitoes

Biome- Tundra: plants

Lichens, mosses, sedges, dwarf shrubs

Biome- Boreal Forest: average annual temperature

4 to 14 degrees Celsius

Biome- Boreal Forest: plants

Coniferous trees, lichens, grasses, sedges

Biome- Boreal Forest: animals

Woodpeckers, hawks, rodents, moose, bears, wolves, mosquitos

Biome- Boreal Forest: description

Cool summers, cold winters

Biome- Mountains: Average annual temperature

Depends on altitude

Biome- Mountains: description

Depends on altitude

Biome- Mountains: animals

Boreal forest animals at lower altitudes; higher: ground squirrels, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, eagles

Biome- Mountains: plants

As you climb, small coniferous trees, then alpine flowering plants, mosses, and lichens

Biome- Temperate coniferous forest: average annual temperature

10 to 20 degrees Celsius

Biome- Temperate coniferous forest: plants

Douglas Fir, Coast Redwood, Huckleberry, Sword Fern, Sphagnum Moss

Biome- Temperate coniferous forest: animals

gray wolves, grizzly bears, Canada lynx, moose, elk, snowshoe hares, great gray owls, bald eagles

Biome- Temperate coniferous forest: Description

Warm, damp summers, mild wet winters

Biome- Temperate deciduous forest: average annual temperature

10 to 15 degrees Celsius

Biome- Temperate deciduous forest: Animals

Songbirds, hawks, rabbits, skunks, deer, black bears, timberwolves, raccoons, snakes, insects

Biome- Temperate deciduous forest: Plants

Deciduous trees, shrubs, grasses, ferns, flowering plants

Biomes- Temperate deciduous forest: description

Well defined seasons

Biome- Temperate grasslands: average annual temperature

4 to 10 degrees Celsius

Biome- Temperate grasslands: Description

Well defined summer and winter seasons

Biome- Temperate grasslands: Animals

Hawks, snakes, rodents, buffalo, elk, coyotes, badgers

Biome- Temperate grasslands: Plants

Grasses, some flowering plants