Concept explainers
You have seen that Earth’s terrestrial biomes reflect regional variations in climate. But what determines these climatic variations? Interpret the following diagrams in reference to how each represents effects on global patterns of temperature, rainfall, and winds.
a. Solar radiation and latitude:
b. Earth’s orbit around the sun:
c. Global patterns of air circulation and rainfall:
(a)
To determine: Solar radiation and latitude representing the effects on global pattern of temperature, rainfall and wind and also the climatic variations.
Introduction:
Biomes are the regions with similar climate and terrestrial biome distribution is decided by rainfall and temperature. The terrestrial biomes are tundra, rainforest, desert, taiga, temperate forest, alpine and savanna.
Explanation of Solution
The solar radiation amount received by earth is depends upon the location of the biome. The amount of received sunlight will be high if the biome is located at equator, resulting in hot conditions in biome. At the poles, biomes are cold due to the availability of less sunlight.
(b)
To determine: Earth’s orbit around the sun representing the effects on global pattern of temperature, rainfall and wind and also the climatic variations.
Introduction:
Biomes are the regions with similar climate and terrestrial biome distribution is decided by rainfall and temperature. The terrestrial biomes are tundra, rainforest, desert, taiga, temperate forest, alpine and savanna.
Explanation of Solution
Different seasons are the result of earth rotation, because both hemisphere experience opposite season due to tilt of earth on its own axis.
The tilt of the northern hemisphere of earth towards the sun results in summer as the tilt allows entry of more sunlight and summer in the northern hemisphere means winter in the southern hemisphere because it is away from the sun so receives less sunlight.
(c)
To determine: Global pattern of air circulation and rainfall representing the effects on global pattern of temperature, rainfall and wind and also the climatic variations.
Introduction:
Biomes are the regions with similar climate and terrestrial biome distribution is decided by rainfall and temperature. The terrestrial biomes are tundra, rainforest, desert, taiga, temperate forest, alpine and savanna.
Explanation of Solution
Extreme sunlight at equators results in evaporation of water from the land and oceans, which cools and condenses, converting into rain. For example: tropical rainforests.
At 30 degree latitude of south and north, the circulating air warms as it fals causing evaporation of moisture present in the soil, leading to dryness (arid regions in the temperate zones). For example: deserts.
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Chapter 34 Solutions
MASTERING BIOLOGY 9E
- Which statement is the correct explanation for the seasonality of climate over much of the earth? Group of answer choices a. he tilt of the earth on its axis changes angle over the year b. the sun gets hotter and colder over the year c. the earth is tilted and it moves closer and further from the sun over the year d. the earth rotates more slowly in the summer e. the earth is tilted and its orientation to the sun changes over the yeararrow_forwardAs global average temperature increases, which of the following regions is expected to experience the most significant warming? a. high northern latitudes b. northern and southern mid-latitudes c. the tropics d. high southern latitudesarrow_forwardWhich of the climate change factors listed below is NOT caused by warming temperatures? A. Higher frequency of category 6 hurricanes B. Rising sea levels C. Ocean acidification D. Melting glaciers and ice sheetsarrow_forward
- If there was no greenhouse effect, the incoming solar radiation would be _______________ the amount of outgoing infrared radiation emitted from Earth.arrow_forwardAreas approximately thirty (30) degrees north and south of the equator are home to many of the world’s deserts. What happens at these latitudes to cause deserts to form? Group of answer choices a. moist air falls from the upper atmosphere b. mountains block air from the ocean c. dry air rises into the upper atmosphere d. dry air falls from the upper atmosphere e. moist air rises into the upper atmospherearrow_forwardWhich of the following biomes is characterized by short growing seasons? a. deserts b. tropical we forests c. Arctic tundra d. savannaarrow_forward
- What impacts would be expected to water supplies or other hydrologic features such groundwater table, oceans, etc., if the climate zone was to change in Texas?arrow_forwarda. Is the greenhouse effect harmful under ordinary circumstances?b. List the primary greenhouse gases and explain their effects on theearth’s temperature.c. What occurrence has made them dangerous to the global ecosystem?d. What could each person do on a daily basis to cut down on thepotential for disrupting the delicate balance of the earth’s ecosystems?arrow_forwardWhich of the following statements is TRUE about the factors that shape regional climates? can choose more than one answer Group of answer choices Riverside has high variation in daily and seasonal temperatures because it exhibits a maritime climate. The rain-shadow effect explains why climates on both sides of a mountain are moist. Areas that are near the center of large continents have greater variation in temperature than areas that are near the coast.arrow_forward
- If the climate zone was to change in Texas, what zone do you think it will change to, and why? If not, why not?arrow_forwardGiven the information in the graph what conclusion can you make with respect to the relationship between climate change (increasing global temperatures) and the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere by land ecosystems? Explain, using information from the graph to support your explanation.arrow_forwardExplain why you agree or disagree with most of the world’s climate scientists that (a) atmospheric warming and climate change are happening now, (b) human activities are the dominant cause of current atmospheric warming and climate change, (c) only action by humans can slow the rate of atmospheric warming and climate change and avert or delay their projected harmful environmental, health, and economic effects.arrow_forward
- Concepts of BiologyBiologyISBN:9781938168116Author:Samantha Fowler, Rebecca Roush, James WisePublisher:OpenStax College