Geo Study Guide

This is a comprehensive study guide with a lot of material to cover! Let’s break it down into manageable parts to help you focus on the key topics that will likely appear on your exam. I’ll organize it based on the chapters and the specific topics highlighted by your teacher.

Chapter 18: Biomes and Vegetation (16-21 questions)

Relationship of Biomes to Climate Classification (A, B, C, D, E):
- A: Tropical climates (wet all year, e.g., tropical rainforests)
- B: Dry climates (deserts, semiarid)
- C: Mild temperate climates (e.g., Mediterranean, mid-latitude forests)
- D: Cold climates (boreal forests, subarctic)
- E: Polar climates (e.g., tundra, ice caps)
Factors Influencing Biomes:
- Latitude: The closer to the equator (low latitudes), the warmer and more tropical the biome (e.g., tropical rainforests). High latitudes have colder, drier biomes (e.g., tundra).
- Sun Angle and ITCZ: The Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) influences tropical rainforests, where rainfall is abundant year-round.
- Ocean Currents: Warm ocean currents bring moisture to coastal biomes (e.g., temperate rainforests); cold currents can lead to deserts (e.g., Atacama Desert).
- Seasons and Monsoons: Seasonal changes and monsoon patterns are critical in shaping grasslands, tropical forests, and deserts.
Abiotic Influences on Biomes:
- Temperature, moisture, soil quality: Key factors that determine biome distribution.
- Fire's Role: Essential in maintaining many biomes, e.g., savannas, boreal forests, and temperate grasslands.
Forest Biomes:
- Tropical Rainforests: High NPP (Net Primary Productivity), high rainfall, near the equator.
- Midlatitude Deciduous Forests: Temperate regions, four distinct seasons.
- Coniferous Evergreen Forests: Boreal forests (taiga), cold climates, fire-resistant vegetation.
Grasslands and Deserts:
- Grasslands are found in areas with moderate rainfall and seasonal drought (e.g., prairies, savannas).
- Deserts: Low rainfall, vegetation adapted to dry conditions (e.g., cacti in the Sahara, Mojave).
Tundra: Cold, low precipitation, and short growing seasons; occurs at high latitudes (e.g., Arctic tundra).
Local Vegetation Effects:
- Topographic Effects: Elevation, slope, and aspect can affect local vegetation (e.g., leeward slopes are drier due to rain shadow).
- Primary vs. Secondary Succession: Primary starts on bare rock; secondary follows disturbance like fire or logging.
- Riparian Zones: Vegetation along rivers, important for biodiversity.
Deforestation of Tropical Rainforests: Causes include agriculture, logging, and urbanization.

Chapter 12: Weathering, Erosion, and Mass Movements (16-21 questions)

Physical vs. Chemical Weathering:
- Physical: Breaks down rocks without changing chemical composition (e.g., freeze-thaw, exfoliation).
- Chemical: Alters mineral composition (e.g., oxidation, hydrolysis).
Factors Affecting Physical Weathering:
- Temperature, water (freeze-thaw), wind, and organisms (roots breaking rocks).
Surface Area: More surface area accelerates weathering; smaller particles weather faster.
Mass Movements:
- Types of Mass Movements: Landslides, rockfalls, mudslides, creep, and flows (material type and speed differ).
- Angle of Repose: The steepest angle at which material remains stable. Larger particles have steeper angles.
- Triggering Mechanisms: Water, earthquakes, and oversteepened slopes.

Chapter 8: Water Balance and Climate (12 questions)

Actual vs. Potential Evapotranspiration (ET):
- Potential ET: The maximum possible ET based on climate conditions (temperature, moisture).
- Actual ET: The actual amount of water evaporated and transpired in a given area.
Water Surplus and Deficit:
- Surplus: Precipitation exceeds potential ET (e.g., tropical rainforests).
- Deficit: Potential ET exceeds precipitation (e.g., deserts).
Global Water Cycle:
- Largest Source of Water: Oceans.
- Largest Source of Freshwater: Ice caps and glaciers.
- Largest Source of Fresh Liquid Water: Rivers and lakes.

Comprehensive Topics from All Chapters

Latitude and Climate:
- High latitudes = cooler climates, low latitudes = warmer climates.
Four Spheres:
- Atmosphere, Hydrosphere, Lithosphere, Biosphere.
Solstices, Equinoxes, and Sun Angle:
- Solstices: Longest and shortest days (summer and winter).
- Equinoxes: Equal day and night lengths (spring and fall).
Energy Budget:
- Shortwave radiation (incoming) vs. longwave radiation (outgoing).
- Greenhouse Effect: How gases trap heat.
Convection and Wind Patterns:
- ITCZ: Low-pressure zone near the equator with high rainfall.
- Hadley Cells: Air rises at the equator and sinks at subtropical highs.
- Trade Winds/Westerlies: Driven by Coriolis force, important in climate and ocean currents.
Ocean Currents and Climate:
- Warm currents (e.g., Gulf Stream) bring warm water to the poles, affecting climate.
- Upwelling/Downwelling: Moves nutrients and heat in the ocean, impacting ecosystems.
Climate Change:
- Global Warming: Uneven warming, rising sea levels, changes in weather patterns.
Net Primary Productivity (NPP):
- Highest in Tropical Rainforests, Lowest in Deserts and Tundras.

Additional Topics (1-4 Questions)

Giant Sequoias Class Assignment: Focus on forest ecosystems and their relationship to fire and climate.
Denali Mass Movement Class Assignment: Study how mass movements affect landscapes in mountainous regions.
Video Resources: Review any video summaries or concepts discussed.

Final Tips:

Focus on Relationships: Many of the questions will test your understanding of how different factors (latitude, climate, ocean currents, etc.) relate to biomes, weathering, and climate.
Key Concepts: Understand the difference between terms like potential vs. actual evapotranspiration, physical vs. chemical weathering, and how different biomes are shaped by climate.
Use Diagrams: Review any graphs or diagrams from class (e.g., the Earth's energy budget, climate classification maps, or weathering processes).

Let me know if you need clarification on any specific topic or help with any practice questions! Good luck with your studying!

Knowt