APES Unit 3 Review

Chapter 5 Review Notes

1. Overview of African Savanna and Climate Influence

  • African Savanna

    • A type of grassland with:

    • Scattered trees

    • Warm temperatures

    • Alternating dry and wet seasons

  • Key Climate Influences

    • Variations in temperature and precipitation contribute to different ecosystems.

2. Key Weather and Climate Concepts

a. Factors Influencing Weather

  • Moving Air Masses

    • Interaction of warm and cold air.

  • Atmospheric Pressure Changes

    • Defined by the behavior of gas molecules.

  • Major Wind Shifts

    • Influence local weather patterns.

b. Weather Definition

  • Defined as the short-term physical conditions (temperature, precipitation, humidity, etc.) in a specific area.

  • Fronts

    • Boundaries between air masses of different temperatures & densities.

    • Warm Front: Boundary where warm air replaces cooler air.

    • Cold Front: Leading edge of an advancing cold air mass.

c. Atmospheric Pressure

  • High pressure indicates cool, dense air descending.

  • Low pressure signifies warm, less dense air that rises and expands.

d. El Niño and La Niña

  • El Niño: Weakening of east-to-west trade winds leading to warmer Pacific waters impacting weather.

  • La Niña: Enhances trade winds and results in cooler coastal waters.

  • Impacts include:

    • Increased Atlantic hurricanes

    • Variations in eastern U.S. weather (e.g., colder winters).

e. Tornado Formation

  • Occurs when a dry cold front from Canada meets humid air from the Gulf of Mexico.

  • Results in strong vertical convection.

  • Effects of Tornadoes:

    • Damage to property

    • Injuries and fatalities

    • Disruption in food production.

f. Tropical Cyclones

  • Formation: Develops from low-pressure systems over warm seas.

  • Hurricanes vs. Typhoons:

    • Hurricanes: Form in the Atlantic Ocean.

    • Typhoons: Form in the Pacific Ocean.

3. Climate Influencing Factors

a. Key Factors

  • Incoming Solar Energy

  • Earth’s Rotation

  • Air and Water Movement Patterns

  • Atmospheric Gases

  • Earth’s Surface Features

b. Climate vs. Weather

  • Climate: Long-term atmospheric patterns (decades to years).

  • Weather: Short-term atmospheric conditions.

c. Ocean Currents and Climate

  • Influenced by wind patterns and distribute heat.

  • Convection: Movements of air due to temperature differences, leading to wind patterns.

d. Latitude Impact

  • Defines locations on Earth ranging from the equator to poles.

  • Latitude affects insolation, with equatorial areas receiving more solar energy.

e. Earth’s Axis Tilt

  • Affects seasonal variations in temperature and precipitation.

4. Global Biomes

a. Biome Classification

  • Types of Biomes:

    • Deserts

    • Grasslands

    • Forests

  • Each has tropical, temperate, or cold classifications determined by climate.

b. Characteristics of Biomes

  • Biome: Large terrestrial region defined by climate and vegetation.

  • Non-uniform distribution of resources leads to ecological diversity.

c. Climate and Vegetation Interaction

  • Latitude and elevation affect temperature patterns and vegetation density.

  • Low Elevation: Warmer, with denser vegetation.

  • High Elevation: Cooler, less dense vegetation.

d. Desert Ecosystems

  • Types:

    • Temperate: High summer, low winter temperatures.

    • Tropical: Hot and dry, low precipitation.

    • Cold: Cold winters, warm/cold summers, low precipitation.

  • Vulnerability due to slow growth rates and low biodiversity.

5. Urban Influence on Climate

  • Cities experience:

    • Higher temperatures (urban heat islands)

    • More haze/smog

    • Reduced wind speeds, affecting local climate.

6. Reading Chapter 6 and Associated Review Questions

  • Cover review questions from Chapter 6 to deepen understanding of ecosystems and further elaborate on ecosystems' roles.

7. Aquatic Ecosystems and Biodiversity

a. Coral Reefs

  • Made from stony secretions of polyps (CaCO₃) and support diverse marine life.

  • Coral bleaching is caused by high temperatures.

b. Aquatic Life Zones Defined

  • Covering nearly 75% of Earth's surface.

  • Saltwater: 71% | Freshwater: 2%.

c. Aquatic Biodiversity Factors

  • Determined by temperature, oxygen levels, food supply, and light availability.

  • Plankton Diversity: Phytoplankton, ultraplankton, zooplankton.

d. Coastal and Marine Ecosystem Importance

  • Ecosystem Services: Water purification, nutrient cycling, coastal protection.

  • Economic Services: Fisheries, tourism, and recreation.

e. Human Impact on Aquatic Ecosystems

  • Major threats include climate change, ocean acidification, pollution, and overfishing.
    -Inland Wetlands: Vital for biodiversity and filtration services; many have been lost due to human activity.