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African Savanna Ecosystems
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African Savanna Ecosystems

Created by
@MsFrizzord

Questions and Answers

What is a savanna?

A savanna is a type of grassland characterized by scattered trees, warm temperatures, and alternating dry and wet seasons.

Which types of animals are typically found in the East African savanna?

  • Giraffes (correct)
  • Lions (correct)
  • Penguins
  • Elephants (correct)

    • The human population in Africa is slowing down.

    False

    What caused many species on the savanna to dwindle?

    <p>The loss of their habitats and hunting by humans for food and valuable parts.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    After the last ice age, about _____ years ago, the earth's climate warmed.

    <p>10,000</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the three major types of climate mentioned?

    <p>Tropical</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the term 'weather' refer to?

    <p>Weather refers to the set of physical conditions of the lower atmosphere in a specific area over a period of hours to days.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Cold air is less dense than warm air.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following terms with their definitions:

    <p>High pressure = Contains cool, dense air that descends and warms. Low pressure = Contains warm, less dense air that rises. Cold front = Leading edge of an advancing cold air mass. Warm front = Boundary between an advancing warm air mass and a cool one.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the four factors that determine regional climates?

    <p>Solar energy, prevailing winds, ocean currents, and greenhouse gases.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does a rain shadow desert form?

    <p>A rain shadow desert forms when moist air rises over a mountain range, cools, loses moisture, and descends on the leeward side, resulting in arid conditions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of these gases are considered greenhouse gases?

    <p>Carbon dioxide</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to temperature and moisture when air rises over a mountain?

    <p>The air cools and expands, losing moisture as rain or snow.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary cause of urban heat islands?

    <p>Building materials absorbing heat</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Human activities have no impact on greenhouse gas concentration.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A hectare is equivalent to ______ acres.

    <p>2.477</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following types of biomes with their characteristics:

    <p>Desert = Low annual precipitation and extreme temperature changes Grassland = Moderate rainfall and typical grass vegetation Forest = High rainfall and dense tree coverage Tundra = Cold temperatures and limited vegetation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the three types of grasslands depicted in the climate graphs?

    <p>Tropical, temperate, and cold (arctic tundra) grasslands.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In which photo is the tropical grassland shown?

    <p>The top photo, depicting a savanna in Kenya, Africa.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an example of natural capital degradation?

    <p>Replacement of biologically diverse temperate grasslands with a monoculture crop.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the two types of temperate grasslands found in the United States?

    <p>Short-grass prairies and tallgrass prairies.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Winds and fires help to promote tree growth in prairies.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The _____ grassland is also known as the tropical grassland.

    <p>savanna</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What viewpoint is presented about the destruction and degradation of prairies?

    <p>Some believe it is justified due to underutilization, while others understand the importance of preserving their natural state.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of desert generally has high temperatures in summer and low temperatures in winter?

    <p>Temperate deserts</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a major type of tropical grassland?

    <p>Savanna</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Desert ecosystems are not vulnerable to disruption.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What adaptations do desert plants have to survive?

    <p>All of the above</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Grasslands occur primarily in areas that are too moist for __________ to form and too dry for __________ to grow.

    <p>deserts, forests</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do kangaroo rats rely on for hydration?

    <p>Breaking down fats in seeds they consume</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a major type of grassland?

    <p>Desert</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term used to describe the disruption of normal wind patterns in the Pacific Ocean that affects weather globally?

    <p>El Nino-Southern Oscillation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Tornadoes form over warm ocean water.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What phenomenon is often referred to simply as 'E' in meteorological terms?

    <p>El Nino</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the minimum ocean water temperature required for a tropical cyclone to form?

    <p>27°C (80°F)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a consequence of a strong ENSO event?

    <p>Colder winters in Canada</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do tornadoes typically form?

    <p>When a large, dry, cold front moves southward and interacts with a warm, humid air mass.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In which region do tornadoes occur most frequently?

    <p>Midwestern United States</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Tropical cyclones only form in the Atlantic Ocean.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The __________ is a horizontal zone that separates warm and cold waters in the Pacific.

    <p>thermocline</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the difference between weather and climate?

    <p>Weather fluctuates daily; climate is the average of long-term atmospheric conditions over at least 30 years.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Climate changes rapidly compared to weather.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a major climatic factor?

    <p>Cyclical movement of air</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the term 'insolation' refer to?

    <p>The input of solar energy in a given area.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Regions north and south of the equator experience widely varying amounts of solar energy due to the earth's _____.

    <p>tilted axis</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What effect describes the deflection of winds due to the earth's rotation?

    <p>Coriolis effect</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The poles are heated more than the equator due to direct sunlight.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are Hadley cells?

    <p>Giant convection cells that affect weather patterns by circulating warm air from the equator.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following ocean currents with their characteristics:

    <p>Hadley Cell = Warm air rises and moves toward poles Coriolis Effect = Deflection of air masses due to rotation of Earth Trade Winds = Winds that blow from subtropical high-pressure areas Gyres = Roughly circular patterns in ocean currents</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which gases are known to contribute to the greenhouse effect?

    <p>Methane</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    African Savanna Ecosystem

    • African savannas are characterized by scattered trees and warm temperatures year-round, with distinct dry and wet seasons.
    • Biodiversity flourishes in these regions, housing species like wildebeests, gazelles, antelopes, zebras, elephants, and giraffes, along with their predators such as lions and hyenas.
    • Human activities have led to significant habitat loss; vast areas have been converted into cropland and pasture, threatening wildlife populations.

    Climate and Biomes

    • Biomes are defined by long-term weather patterns and climatic conditions, primarily based on average annual precipitation and temperature.
    • Three main climates exist: tropical (equatorial regions), polar (near the poles), and temperate (mid-latitudes).
    • Understanding the difference between weather (short-term atmospheric conditions) and climate (long-term patterns) is crucial for studying environmental impacts and species distribution.

    Human Impact on Biodiversity

    • Early humans transitioned from arboreal lifestyles to ground-dwelling communities, utilizing tools for hunting and gathering, influencing their connection with savannas.
    • Increasing human populations in Africa result in continued expansion of towns and agriculture in savanna areas, further endangering species that have cohabited these ecosystems for millennia.

    Weather Patterns Influences

    • Weather is affected by moving masses of warm and cold air, changes in atmospheric pressure, and shifting wind patterns.
    • Meteorologists rely on various technological equipment and computer models to study and predict weather conditions globally.
    • Weather changes most dramatically occur at fronts, which are boundaries between contrasting air masses.

    Atmospheric Pressure and Air Masses

    • High-pressure air masses consist of cool, dense air that descends, producing typically fair weather, while low-pressure systems involve rising warm air that can lead to cloud formation and precipitation.
    • The behavior of jet streams, fast-moving air currents in the upper atmosphere, significantly influences local weather by redistributing air masses.

    Natural Weather Events

    • The El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is a periodic weather phenomenon affecting global climate patterns, characterized by fluctuating wind and ocean current patterns across the Pacific.
    • ENSO can lead to extreme weather conditions, including storms, flooding, and droughts, exemplified by the severe events of 1997-1998 causing widespread damages and fatalities.
    • La Niña is the counterpart to El Niño, resulting in cooler ocean temperatures which can also influence weather patterns but in a different manner than El Niño.

    Severe Weather Events

    • Tornadoes and tropical cyclones represent violent weather extremes, significantly impacting affected regions.
    • Weather extremes as influenced by ENSO can lead to variations in climate, including increased incidence of hurricanes and alterations in seasonal weather patterns across regions such as North America and Southeast Asia.### Thermocline and Weather Patterns
    • The thermocline is a horizontal zone in the ocean where temperature changes gradually, separating warm and cold waters.
    • Events in the eastern Pacific, influenced by El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), can lead to drier weather in some regions and wetter weather in others.
    • Tornadoes form over land as violent storms, caused by the interaction of a large warm air mass with a colder front, characterized by rotating funnel-shaped clouds.
    • Tropical cyclones, known as hurricanes in the Atlantic and typhoons in the Pacific, develop over warm ocean waters and can cause significant destruction on land.

    Tornado Formation

    • Tornadoes typically occur in the U.S. but can also be found in Australia.
    • They form when dry, cold fronts from Canada interact with warm, humid air from the Gulf of Mexico, leading to strong vertical convection currents.
    • The Midwestern U.S. sees the highest frequency of tornadoes, particularly from March to August.

    Tropical Cyclone Formation

    • Tropical cyclones emerge from low-pressure areas over warm waters, with a minimum sea surface temperature of 27°C (80°F).
    • These systems draw moist air from surrounding higher pressure areas, causing winds to spiral counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.
    • The intensity of tropical cyclones is rated based on sustained wind speeds, impacting forecasting and preparation efforts.

    Climate Influences

    • Weather refers to short-term atmospheric conditions, whereas climate represents long-term patterns over decades.
    • Key climatic factors include:
      • Solar energy input,
      • Earth's rotation,
      • Global air and water movement,
      • Atmospheric gas composition,
      • Surface features of the Earth.
    • The uneven heating of Earth's surface leads to varied climate zones, as the equator receives direct sunlight, while poles receive slanted rays, affecting temperature distributions.

    Key Climate Properties

    • Latitudes, measured in degrees from the equator (0°) to the poles (90°), significantly influence regional climate.
    • Solar energy input, or insolation, varies by latitude, explaining why tropical areas are hotter while polar regions are colder.
    • Seasonal changes arise from the tilt of Earth’s axis, affecting climate patterns throughout the year.

    Ocean Currents and Climate Interaction

    • Major ocean currents contribute to nutrient distribution and climate regulation, facilitating ecosystems.
    • Upwelling zones, where deep waters are brought to the surface, play a crucial role in marine biodiversity by supplying nutrients.### Seasonal Variations and Sun Exposure
    • Regions north and south of the equator tilt towards or away from the sun during Earth’s annual revolution.
    • This causes significant differences in solar energy received, resulting in varied seasons across the globe.
    • Seasonal changes in temperature and precipitation are influenced by this variation in solar energy.

    Earth's Rotation and Climate

    • Earth rotates on its axis, causing the equator to spin faster than poles, which affects air mass movement.
    • Air masses moving toward northern or southern regions from the equator are deflected east due to the Coriolis effect.
    • Air cools and sinks at about 30° north and south latitudes, creating convection cells known as Hadley cells.

    Global Wind Patterns

    • Wind patterns influenced by the Coriolis effect help redistribute heat and moisture, forming prevailing winds.
    • Northeast and southeast trade winds facilitate maritime trade movements and affect climate by transporting warm air.

    Influence of Ocean Currents

    • Ocean currents redistribute solar heat, which significantly influences coastal climates and vegetation.
    • Deep and shallow ocean currents work in a loop, moving warm and cool water to different parts of the globe.

    Greenhouse Effect and Climate

    • Greenhouse gases (e.g., CO2, CH4, N2O) absorb solar energy and re-radiate it as infrared radiation, leading to warming of the lower atmosphere.
    • This natural greenhouse effect is critical for maintaining Earth's temperature and supporting life.

    Rain Shadow Effect

    • The rain shadow effect occurs when moist air rises over mountains, losing moisture as precipitation on the windward side, while the leeward side remains dry.
    • Arid or semiarid conditions can arise on the leeward side due to this phenomenon.

    Human Impact on Climate

    • Human activities, such as fossil fuel burning and deforestation, release greenhouse gases at accelerating rates.
    • These contributions lead to changes in climate patterns, potentially resulting in desertification and altered local climates.

    Long-Term Climate Factors

    • Milankovitch cycles include changes in Earth's orbit and axial tilt over time, influencing climate variability over thousands of years.
    • These cycles, along with human-induced changes, significantly impact regional climates and ecosystems.

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    Description

    Explore the diverse ecosystems of the African Savanna. This quiz covers various types of vegetation, animal life, and the impact of human activities on these grasslands and forests. Test your knowledge of this unique environment and its significance.

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