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Chapter 4Ecosystems & Communities

Section 4-1Section 4-1

The Role of ClimateThe Role of Climate

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What is Climate?

• WeatherWeather–The Day-To-Day Condition of The Day-To-Day Condition of

Earth’s Atmosphere at a Earth’s Atmosphere at a Particular Time & PlaceParticular Time & Place

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What is Climate?

• ClimateClimate–The Average Year-after-Year The Average Year-after-Year

Conditions of Temperature & Conditions of Temperature & Precipitation in a Particular Precipitation in a Particular RegionRegion

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What is Climate?

• Climate Is Caused By:Climate Is Caused By:–Trapped HeatTrapped Heat

–LatitudeLatitude

–WindsWinds

–Ocean CurrentsOcean Currents

–PrecipitationPrecipitation

–Shape of LandShape of Land

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The Greenhouse Effect

Key ConceptKey Concept::

Carbon Dioxide (COCarbon Dioxide (CO22), Methane ), Methane

(CH(CH44), Water Vapor, and a Few ), Water Vapor, and a Few

Other Atmospheric Gases Trap Other Atmospheric Gases Trap Heat Energy and Maintain Earth’s Heat Energy and Maintain Earth’s Temperature Range.Temperature Range.

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The Greenhouse Effect

• The Atmosphere Acts Like An Insulating The Atmosphere Acts Like An Insulating BlanketBlanket

• The Gases Act Like The Glass In A The Gases Act Like The Glass In A GreenhouseGreenhouse

– Without Them Earth Would Be 30Without Them Earth Would Be 30oo Celsius CoolerCelsius Cooler

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Effect of Latitude on Climate

Key ConceptKey Concept:: As a Result of Differences in As a Result of Differences in

Latitude & Thus The Angle of Latitude & Thus The Angle of Heating. Earth Has Three (3) Heating. Earth Has Three (3)

Main Climate Zones:Main Climate Zones:1.1. PolarPolar2.2. TemperateTemperate3.3. TropicalTropical

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Effect of Latitude on Climate

FOOTHILL HIGH SCHOOL SCIENCE DEPARTMENT

Effect of Latitude on Climate

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Effect of Latitude on Climate

• Polar ZonesPolar Zones– Sun’s Rays Strike At Low AngleSun’s Rays Strike At Low Angle– Located At Each Pole Between 66.5Located At Each Pole Between 66.5oo & 90 & 90oo

North & South LatitudesNorth & South Latitudes

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Effect of Latitude on Climate

• Temperate ZonesTemperate Zones– Seasonal Hot & ColdSeasonal Hot & Cold

• Tilt of Earth & Angle of SunlightTilt of Earth & Angle of Sunlight– Between Polar & Tropic ZonesBetween Polar & Tropic Zones

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Effect of Latitude on Climate

• Tropic ZoneTropic Zone– 23.523.5oo North & South of the Equator North & South of the Equator– Receives Nearly Direct SunlightReceives Nearly Direct Sunlight

• Climate Mostly WarmClimate Mostly Warm

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FOOTHILL HIGH SCHOOL SCIENCE DEPARTMENT

Heat Transport in the Biosphere

• Unequal Heating DrivesUnequal Heating Drives– WindsWinds– Ocean CurrentsOcean Currents

• These Forces These Forces Transport HeatTransport Heat Through Through The BiosphereThe Biosphere– Hot RisesHot Rises– Cold DescendsCold Descends

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Heat Transport in the Biosphere

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Heat Transport in the Biosphere

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Heat Transport in the Biosphere

• Land Mass Topography Affects Currents Land Mass Topography Affects Currents By Disrupting The Flow of Current, and By Disrupting The Flow of Current, and Therefore, The Distribution of Heat.Therefore, The Distribution of Heat.

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Heat Transport in the Biosphere

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