Ecosystems & Communities Chapter 4 Ecosystems & Communities

4.1 Climate Weather = day-to-day conditions Climate = average conditions over long periods of time

Factors Affecting Climate (1) Greenhouse Effect – trapping heat within atmosphere - Greenhouse gases  CO2, CH4, H2O(g), N2O, fluorinated gases

(2) Latitude – solar energy spreads out due to curve of Earth 3 zones – - Tropical – most direct rays - Temperate – medium direct rays - Polar – least direct rays

(3) Heat transport – - Unequal distribution of heat creates wind and ocean currents – warm air rises, cold air sinks