1. Climate and Terrestrial Biodiversity
Chapter 7 - Miller

2. What is Climate? Definition: A region’s long-term atmospheric
conditions – tens to thousands of years.
Determined by:
1) Average Temperature
2) Average Precipitation

3. What influences Climate?
Four Factors:
1) Latitude
2) Altitude
3) Bodies of Water
4) Planetary Winds/Ocean Currents

5. Factors that Affect Climate
Latitude:
Temperatures vary with latitude due to varying angle, intensity, and duration of insolation.
Moisture varies with latitude. At the equator warm rising air cools and creates clouds, precipitation and humid climates
* This factor is enhanced by seasonal variations

6. Reasons for the Seasons
1) Tilt of Earth’s Axis
2) Revolution
3) Parallelism

7. Seasonal Effect

8. Variations in Insolation
Intensity greatest at:
Equator – Equinoxes
T.O. Cancer – Summer
Solstice
T.O. Capricorn – Winter

9. Variations In Insolation
Duration of Insolation:
Varies with latitude and the seasons

10. Elevation Temperature: Higher altitudes have a cooler climate
As air rises, it expands and cools
Less greenhouse gasses to absorb long wave radiation

11. Elevation Moisture: Higher altitudes have more precipitation
Air temperatures are low and water vapor capacity decreases
Air reaches dew point
Condensation forms clouds and it rains/snows

12. Latitude and Vertical Zonation
Hiking up a mountain is similar to traveling toward
the poles

13. Mountain Barriers Windward side: Air rises Expands Cools
Climate is cool and moist

14. Mountain Barriers Leeward side: Air sinks Compresses warms
Climate is warm and dry

15. Mountain Barriers
Elevation:

16. Factors that Affect Climate
Marine Climate:
Close proximity to water
Cooler summers
Warmer winters
Small temperature range
Temperature moderated by water’s high specific heat

17. Factors that Affect Climate
Continental Climate:
Inland
Warmer summers
Cooler winters
Large temperature range
Temperatures are moderated by dry air’s low specific heat

19. Factors that Affect Climate
Planetary Winds:
Caused by the air pressure differences on Earth and the effects of Earth’s rotation

20. Transfer of Energy Uneven Heating Causes: High Pressure Low Pressure
Cool/Dry
Dense
Descending Air
Low Pressure
Warm/Moist
Low Density
Rising Air

21. Planetary Winds

22. Global Air Circulation
Hadley Cells – Vertical
currents that distribute
heat and moisture over
Earth’s Surface
Result: Climatic Zones
Descending Air –Cool, dry
Ascending Air – Warm, moist

23. Global Ocean Currents
Caused By:

27. Biomes Definition: Large, relatively distinct
terrestrial region characterized by similar:
Climate
Soil
Plants
Animals

29. Climatograms