BIOL150 Lecture : Biol150 - Climate.pdf
11 Dec 2013
School
Department
Course
Professor
Document Summary
Earth is spherical so sun hits equator directly and intensity decreases as you reach the poles. Affects species distribution, plant animal functions, life cycles. Air moving from greater to lesser circumference, moves oppsite to earth"s spin - prevailing winds (westerlies, easterlies) Land masses, currents, mountains, etc. disrupt the continuous pattern of temperature, precipitation and pressure. Mountains have effects on climate - cause extremes in precipitation - rain shadow. Oceans absorb heat in summer, release heat in winter - moderates temperature. Moderate temperature - winter low, summer high, frost. Dropping leaves go to soil, keep it moist. Evapotranspiration - water channeled from roots out leaf stoma. Biogeography - study of how organisms are distributed geographically. Range (geographic distribution) of every species is limited. Dispersal - movement of an individual from place of origin to where it lives and breeds. Intertidal zones - major changes in climate over small area.
