Climate Science Overview Quiz
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Questions and Answers

What primarily drives the variation in climate across the planet?

  • Geographical features
  • Atmospheric pressure
  • Solar radiation (correct)
  • Ocean currents

    • Which abiotic component of climate is NOT listed as one of the four major components?

  • Precipitation
  • Humidity (correct)
  • Temperature
  • Sunlight

    • Where is the intensity of sunlight the strongest due to its angle of incidence?

  • Equatorial regions (correct)
  • Polar regions
  • Temperate zones
  • Desert areas

    • Which factor does NOT determine global climate patterns?

    <p>Local vegetation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the latitudinal variation in sunlight intensity?

    <p>It determines the distribution of terrestrial biomes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What primarily causes seasonality at high latitudes?

    <p>Tilt of Earth's axis of rotation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of climate experiences two distinct seasons: rainy and dry?

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

    What role does the sun play in the global climate system?

    <p>It drives evaporation and circulation of air and water</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In atmospheric circulation, what occurs when warm, moist air rises?

    <p>It expands and releases rain</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a significant factor, aside from solar radiation, that affects smaller-scale variations in climate?

    <p>Temporal variations such as day/night and seasonal shifts</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What primarily drives the climate in terrestrial biomes?

    <p>Average temperature and precipitation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which biome is characterized by high rainfall and consistently warm temperatures?

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

    What is the main characteristic of the understory layer in a forest?

    <p>It contains shade-tolerant plants and younger trees.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What environmental factor primarily causes high biodiversity in tropical rainforests?

    <p>Consistent warmth and abundant moisture</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In Costa Rica, what geographical feature affects rainfall distribution?

    <p>Mountain ranges</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements about terrestrial biomes is true?

    <p>Vegetation is a key factor in naming and classifying biomes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary feature of the forest floor in a forest?

    <p>It consists of soil, dead plants, and small living plants.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement correctly describes tropical dry forests?

    <p>Trade winds impact their climate by absorbing moisture and creating seasonal changes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main factor that influences global patterns of air circulation and moisture?

    <p>Interaction between the sun, air circulation, and moisture</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which convection cells are present in each hemisphere according to the latitude?

    <p>Three convection cells per hemisphere</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why does Thurso, Scotland experience a milder climate than Juneau, Alaska despite being on the same latitude?

    <p>Influence of ocean currents</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How is climate generally moderated in terrestrial environments?

    <p>Through ocean currents and large lakes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What indicates average temperature in a climograph?

    <p>Line graph</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Where do tropical rainforests and deserts typically occur in relation to latitude?

    <p>Near 30°N and 30°S</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the climate implication of being located at 60°N and 60°S?

    <p>Cold and dry conditions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of a climograph?

    <p>To present a location's average temperature and precipitation over time</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What effect does continentality have on temperature ranges?

    <p>Inland locations have larger temperature ranges than maritime locations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why does coastal California experience little temperature variation between summer and winter?

    <p>The ocean takes a long time to heat and cool.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does altitude affect the climate as one ascends a mountain?

    <p>Temperature drops approximately 6°C for every 1,000m increase in elevation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What phenomenon occurs as air rises over a mountain peak?

    <p>Condensation and precipitation occur, creating a rain shadow.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one effect of elevation on vegetation distribution?

    <p>There is a tree line above which no trees can survive.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which factors are typically considered when assessing climate?

    <p>Ocean currents, air circulation, and continentality.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role do biomes play in relation to climate?

    <p>Biomes are major life zones characterized by vegetation type that correlates with climate.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What contributes to the variation of seasons as observed in locations like Saskatoon?

    <p>The vast distance from large bodies of water.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Introduction to Ecology, Climate & Biomes

    • Ecology is the scientific study of interactions between organisms and their environment, determining distribution and abundance.
    • Interactions between organisms and the environment limit species distribution.
    • Terrestrial biome structure and distribution are primarily controlled by climate.

    Terrestrial Biomes

    • A terrestrial biome is a large area of land with specific organisms adapted to their physical environment.
    • Climate variation is the cause of different terrestrial biomes.
    • Four major abiotic factors influence climate: temperature, precipitation, sunlight, and wind.
    • Global climate patterns are largely determined by solar energy and Earth's movement in space.

    Climate

    • Climate is the long-term weather pattern in an area.
    • Weather is the minute-by-minute conditions in the atmosphere, while climate is the 30-year average weather pattern.
    • Four major abiotic components: temperature, precipitation, sunlight, and wind.
    • Global climate patterns are largely determined by solar energy and Earth's movement in space.

    Latitudinal Variations in Sunlight Intensity

    • The angle of sunlight striking Earth affects its intensity (heat and light per surface area unit).
    • Sunlight intensity is strongest in the tropics and weakest at the poles.
    • The poles receive significantly less solar energy than the equator.

    Latitudinal Variations in Climate

    • The warming impact of the sun causes temperature variation, which drives evaporation and circulation of air and water, thus influencing latitudinal variations in climate.
    • Polar regions have one season (cold), temperate regions have four seasons (winter, spring, summer, fall), and tropical regions have two (rainy, dry).

    Temporal Variation in Solar Radiation

    • Seasonality at high latitudes is due to Earth's axial tilt and its annual passage around the Sun.
    • Earth’s tilt causes the angle of sunlight striking a particular area to change throughout the year.
    • The Earth's movements in space affect the amount of solar radiation received at different latitudes.

    Atmospheric Circulation

    • Factors beyond distance from the Sun, such as temporal variation (day/night and seasonal), and large-scale air movement create smaller-scale differences in temperature.
    • Air pressure is greater at sea level than at higher elevations.
    • Cold air weighs more than warm air.
    • Warm air holds more water.

    Global Air Circulation

    • Each hemisphere is divided into three convection cells (Hadley, Ferrel, and Polar).
    • These cells drive global patterns of precipitation (wet and dry areas).
    • The interaction of sun, air circulation, and moisture creates broad-scale patterns.
    • Specific locations experience drier or wetter climates due to global air circulation patterns.

    Implications of Global Patterns of Air Circulation and Moisture

    • Global patterns of air circulation, linked to the sun, create distinct wetter and drier regions on Earth.

    Implications of Global Patterns of Air Circulation & Moisture

    • Global patterns of air circulation, linked to the sun, create distinct wetter and drier regions on Earth.

    Biomes & Their Distribution

    • Biomes are major life-zones (terrestrial or aquatic) distinguished by vegetation type, with organisms adapted to their environment.
    • Climate is a crucial factor in determining the distribution of terrestrial biomes.
    • Rainfall and temperature are the primary drivers of biome distribution.

    Other Factors Affecting Climate

    • Ocean Currents: Warm ocean currents warm nearby landmasses.
      • For example, the Gulf Stream influences the climate of Western Europe.
    • Continentality: The effect of continental location on climate
      • Land heats and cools much more quickly than bodies of water.
      • Locations in the center of continents experience greater temperature variations (summer/winter) than locations near bodies of water.
    • Mountains: Higher elevations tend to be colder. Air cools and releases moisture on the windward side of peaks, creating rain shadows on the leeward side.
    • Every 1,000 meters of elevation increase results in a roughly 6°C temperature decrease.

    Climographs

    • Climographs are graphical representations of average temperature and precipitation for a location over a year.
    • Use climographs to determine seasonal variations.

    Implications of Climate Change

    • Current studies show that, with global warming, sugar maple’s distribution is affected by biotic factors and climate.
      • The distribution of seed predators and other biotic factors greatly hinder range expansion.

    Aquatic Biomes

    • Aquatic biomes are differentiated by their standing water (lakes, ponds, or rivers), or running water (rivers), or the land-water interface (e.g., estuaries and wetlands).
    • Each biome has its own specific characteristics that support unique organisms.

    Interactions Between Organisms and the Environment

    • Dispersal, biotic, and abiotic factors limit species distribution.
    • Abiotic factors include temperature, water, oxygen, salinity, sunlight, wind, rocks and soil.
    • Biotic factors include predation, herbivory, competition, mutualism, parasitism.

    Abiotic Factors Limiting Distributions

    • Abiotic factors such as temperature, water, salinity, and sunlight can restrict species ranges.
    • Other abiotic factors include the characteristics of the surrounding soil and types of water present, if any.

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    SN2 Biology Lecture 6: Intro to Ecology: Climate & Biomes PDF

    Description

    Test your knowledge on the fundamental components and drivers of climate variation around the globe. This quiz covers key concepts such as sunlight intensity, seasonality, and atmospheric circulation. Perfect for students looking to solidify their understanding of climate science.

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