View
41
Download
0
Category
Tags:
Preview:
DESCRIPTION
Climate and Biodiversity. Dust Storm from Africa’s Sahara Desert. What Factors Influence Climate?. An area’s climate is determined mostly by : Solar radiation Earth’s rotation Global patterns of air and water movement Gases in the atmosphere Earth’s surface features. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Citation preview
Climate and Biodiversity
Dust Storm from Africa’s Sahara Desert
What Factors Influence Climate?
An area’s climate is determined mostly by: Solar radiation Earth’s rotation Global patterns of air and water movement Gases in the atmosphere Earth’s surface features.
Many Different Climates
Weather – local area of short-term physical conditions such as humidity, wind speed, cloud cover, etc.
Climate- an area’s general pattern of atmospheric conditions over longer periods of time – usually decades or thousands of years.
Temperature and precipitation determine climate Latitude and elevation determine average
temperature and precipitation
Generalized Map of Earth's Climate
Solar Radiation
Earth’s Rotation
As the Earth rotates around its axis, its equator spins faster than the polar regions.
As a result, heated air masses rising above the equator cause the formation of cells distinguished by differing direction of air movement (prevailing winds)
Energy Transfer by Convection
Global Air Circulation
Caused by three factors• Uneven heating of earth’s surface• Rotation of the earth• Variations in properties of air, water, and land
Six cyclical convection cells
Cell Formation
Earth’s Prevailing Winds
Fig. 5-3, p. 77
Cold deserts
Cold deserts
Forests
Forests
Forests
Equator
Hot deserts
Hot deserts
Westerlies
Northeast trades
Southeast trades
Westerlies
Global Air Circulation
Fig. 5-5, p. 78
Moist air rises,cools, and releasesmoisture as rain
Desert
Desert
Equator
Polar cap
Polar capArctic tundra
Evergreenconiferous forestTemperate deciduousforest and grassland
Tropical deciduous forest
Tropical deciduous forest
Temperate deciduousforest and grassland
Tropical rain forest
Global Ocean Currents (1)
Affects regional climates
Warm and cold currents created by differences in water density
Altered by earth’s rotation and continents
Redistributes heat, mixes ocean waters, and distributes nutrients and oxygen
Global Currents (2)
Loop of deep and shallow ocean currents
Moves energy around the globe
Ocean and atmosphere closely linked
Earth’s Conveyer Belt
Fig. 5-6, p. 79
Cold, salty,deep current
Warm, lesssalty, shallowcurrent
Animation: Global Ocean and Winds Currents
Examine global surface currents.
El Niño (El Niño Southern Oscillation or ENSO)
El Niño is characterized by unusually warm ocean temperatures in the Equatorial Pacific, as opposed to La Niña, which characterized by unusually cold ocean temperatures in the Equatorial Pacific. El Niño is an oscillation of the ocean-atmosphere system in the tropical Pacific having important consequences for weather around the globe.
El Niño
El Niño
Among these consequences are increased rainfall across the southern tier of the US and in Peru, which has caused destructive flooding, and drought in the West Pacific, sometimes associated with devastating brush fires in Australia. Observations of conditions in the tropical Pacific are considered essential for the prediction of short term (a few months to 1 year) climate variations.
La Niña
Opposite of the boy, colder than normal ocean temps.
La Niña causes mostly the opposite effects of El Niño, for example, El Niño would cause a wet period in the Midwestern U.S., while La Niña would typically cause a dry period in this area.
Earth’s Surface Features and Climate
Heat absorbed and released more slowly by water than by land
Large bodies of water moderate climate
Movement of moist ocean air across a mountain• Rain and snow on windward side• Rain shadow on leeward side – e.g. Death
Valley
Rain Shadow Effect
Fig. 5-7, p. 80
On the leeward side of the mountain range, air descends, warms, andreleases little moisture.
Prevailing windspick up moisturefrom an ocean.
On the windward side of a mountain range, air rises,cools, and releases moisture.
How Does Climate Affect the Nature and Location of Biomes?
Differences in average annual precipitation and temperature lead to the formation of tropical, temperate, and cold deserts, grasslands, and forests, and largely determine their locations.
Climate Affects Biomes
Major biomes related to climate
Biomes consist of a mosaic of patches of communities
Average temperature and precipitation determine the biome
Earth’s Major Biomes
Fig. 5-8, p. 81
Correlation Between Latitude and Elevation
Fig. 5-9, p. 81
ElevationMountainice and snowTundra (herbs,lichens, mosses)
TropicalForest
DeciduousForest
ConiferousForest
Polar iceand snow
Latitude
TropicalForest
DeciduousForest
ConiferousForest
Tundra (herbs, lichens,
mosses)
Climate Determines the Biome
Fig. 5-10, p. 82
Polar
Subpolar
Temperate
Tropical
Desert
Desert
Grassland
Savanna
Scrubland
Chaparral
Coniferous forest
Tundra
Deciduousforest
Tropicalseasonal
forest
Rain forest
Three Major Types of Deserts
Tropical deserts – Sahara, Namib
Temperate deserts – Mojave
Cold deserts – Gobi
Climate Graph of Tropical United Arab Emirates Desert
Climate Graph of Temperate Arizona Desert
Climate Graph of Cold Gobi Desert
Fig. 5-11, p. 83
Three Major Types of Grasslands
Tropical grasslands – savanna
Temperate grasslands – prairie• Short-grass vs. tall-grass
Cold grasslands – tundra• Permafrost soils
Savanna Grassland
Montana Prairie Grassland
Arctic Tundra Grassland
Fig. 5-12, p. 85
Loss of a Temperate Grassland
Fig. 5-13, p. 86
Three Major Types of Forests
Tropical rain forests
Temperate deciduous forests
Evergreen coniferous forests
Tropical Forest
Temperate Deciduous Forest
Evergreen Coniferous Forest (taiga, boreal forest)
Fig. 5-14, p. 87
Tropical Rain Forest Ecosystem
Fig. 5-15, p. 88
Harpyeagle
Ocelot
Squirrelmonkeys
Katydid
Green tree snake
Tree frog
BromeliadBacteria
Fungi
Ants
Slaty-tailedtrogon
Climbingmonstera palm
Blue andgold macaw
Producerto primaryconsumer
Primaryto secondaryconsumer
All producers andconsumers todecomposers
Secondary tohigher-levelconsumer
Stratification of Tropical Rain Forest
Fig. 5-16, p. 89
Harpyeagle
Tocotoucan
Woolyopossum
Braziliantapir
Black-crownedantpitta
Groundlayer
Shrublayer
Under story
Canopy
Emergentlayer
Importance of Mountains
Contain majority of the world’s forests
Regulate climate
Key in the hydrological cycle
Ecological Role of Mountains
How Have We Affected the World’s Terrestrial Ecosystems?
In many areas, human activities are impairing ecological and economic services provided by the earth’s deserts, grasslands, forests, and mountains.
Humans Affect World’s Terrestrial Ecosystems
Disturbed most of the earth’s land
62% degraded or used unsustainably
All biomes being degraded
Major Human Impacts on World Biomes
What Are the Major Types of Aquatic Systems?
Saltwater and freshwater aquatic life zones cover almost three-fourths of the earth’s surface with oceans dominating the planet.
Most aquatic organisms live in the surface, middle, or bottom layers of saltwater and freshwater systems.
Aquatic Life Zones
Two major types• Marine (saltwater)• Freshwater
Oceans contain 97% of earth’s water
The Ocean Planet
Fig. 5-19, p. 92
Ocean hemisphere Land–ocean hemisphere
Types of Aquatic Life
Plankton – phytoplankton, zooplankton
Nekton
Benthos
Decomposers
Distribution of Aquatic Organisms
Occupy surface, middle, or bottom layers
Factors determining types and numbers of organisms• Temperature• Access to sunlight• Dissolved oxygen• Nutrient availability
The Ocean’s Natural Capital
Fig. 5-20, p. 93
What Are the Major Ocean Zones and How Have We Affected Them?
In many areas, human activities are impairing ecological and economic services provided by the earth’s saltwater systems, especially coastal wetlands, mangrove forests, and coral reefs.
Marine System Services
Fig. 5-21, p. 94
Major Life Zones of Oceans
Coastal
Open sea
Ocean bottom
Ocean Life Zones
Fig. 5-22, p. 95
AbyssalZone
High tideLow tide
EstuarineZone
Continentalshelf
Coastal Zone
Open Sea
Sea level
Sun
Euphotic Zone
Bathyal Zone
Upwelling
Estuary Photo Taken from Space
Fig. 5-23, p. 95
Food Web of a Salt Marsh
Fig. 5-24, p. 96
Herring gulls
Snowyegret
Phytoplankton
Soft-shelledclam
Bacteria
Zooplankton and
small crustaceans
Smelt
Clamworm
Marshperiwinkle
Cordgrass
Peregrine falcon
Short-billeddowitcher
All consumersand producersto decomposers
Producer toprimaryconsumer
Primary tosecondaryconsumer
Secondary tohigher-levelconsumer
The Coastal Zone
Coastal wetlands and estuaries among earth’s most productive zones
Estuaries• Provide ecosystem services• Provide economic services• Face increasing stress from human activities
Tides: Rocky and Sandy Shores
Tides
Intertidal zone
Intertidal organisms adapt to stresses of changing environment
Rocky shores
Sandy shores
Rocky Shore Beach
Fig. 5-25a, p. 97
Sea urchin
Rocky Shore Beach Sea star Hermit crab Shore crab
High tide
Periwinkle
Mussel
Barnacles
Sea lettuceKelp
Monterey flatworm
Low tide
Nudibranch
Anemone
Sculpin
Sandy Barrier Beach
Fig. 5-25b, p. 97
Barrier Beach
Beach flea
Moon snailSand dollarWhite sand macoma
Moleshrimp
Ghostshrimp
Tigerbeetle
High tide
Clam
SandpiperSilversides Low tide
Blue crabDwarfolive
Peanut worm
Sand Dunes and Barrier Beaches
Fig. 5-26, p. 98
Secondary DuneOcean Beach Bay or LagoonPrimary Dune TroughRecreation,no building
Grasses or shrubsTaller shrubs
Walkways,no building
Limitedrecreation
and walkways
Bay shore
Taller shrubs and trees
Back DuneMost suitable
for developmentRecreationWalkways,
no building
Coral Reefs
Form in clear, warm coastal waters of the subtropics and tropics
Polyps – symbiotic relationship with zooxanthellae algae
Very diverse habitat
Face great threat of destruction
The Open Sea
Separated from coastal areas by continental shelf edge
Euphotic zone
Bathyal zone
Abyssal zone
Threats to Oceans from HumanActivity (1)
Coastal development
Overfishing
Point and nonpoint source pollution
Threats to Oceans from HumanActivity (2)
Habitat destruction
Invasive species
Climate change
Human Impacts on Marine Ecosystems
Fig. 5-27, p. 99
What Are the Major Types of Freshwater Systems and How Have We Affected Them?
Human activities are impairing ecological and economic services provided by many rivers and freshwater lakes and wetlands.
Freshwater Systems
Standing water
Flowing water
Natural Capital of Freshwater Systems
Fig. 5-28, p. 100
Four Lake Zones
Littoral zone
Limnetic zone
Profundal zone
Benthic zone
Zones of a Temperate Lake
Fig. 5-29, p. 101
Limnetic zone
SunlightPainted
turtle
Greenfrog
Pondsnail
Divingbeetle
Blue-wingedteal
Northernpike
Yellow perch
Muskrat
PlanktonLittoral zone
Benthic zone
Profundal zone
Bloodworms
Nutrient Content of Lakes
Lakes classified by nutrient content and primary productivity• Oligotrophic – low productivity• Eutrophic – high productivity• Mesotrophic – middle of the road
Lakes impacted by nutrients from human activity• Cultural eutrophication – introduction of
fertilizers, sewage, etc hypereutrophication
Nutrients and Lakes
Fig. 5-30, p. 101
Watersheds
Surface water becomes runoff into streams
Watersheds or drainage basins deliver runoff, sediment, and dissolved substances to streams
Streams join to form rivers
Rivers begin in mountains or at higher elevation
Three Zones in the Downhill Flow of Water
Source zone
Transition zone
Floodplain zone
Three Zones of a Watershed
Fig. 5-31, p. 102
Depositedsediment
Rain and snow
Lake
RapidsGlacier
Waterfall
Flood plainTributary
Oxbow lake
Source Zone
Transition Zone
Floodplain Zone
Salt marsh
WaterSediment
Delta
Ocean
Rain and snowLake
RapidsGlacier
Waterfall
Source Zone
Flood plainTributary
Transition Zone
Depositedsediment
Oxbow lake
Floodplain Zone
Salt marsh
WaterSediment
Delta
Ocean
Fig. 5-31, p. 102Stepped Art
Freshwater Wetlands
Inland wetlands• Marshes• Swamps• Prairie potholes• Floodplains• Arctic tundra
Ecological and economic services
Human Impacts on Freshwater Systems
Dams and canals fragment 40% of world’s largest rivers
Flood control levees alter rivers
Cities and farmlands add pollutants
Many wetlands drained or filled
Recommended