Biology 2483A Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: River Ecosystem, Littoral Zone, Sensible Heat
9 Oct 2017
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Topic: the biosphere: climate is a fundamental component of the physical environment. Weather may vary from day to day. Climate is based on long-term patterns of temperature, wind and precipitation: very long term, temperature. 100% of incoming solar radiation is dispersed as follows: 19% absorbed by the atmosphere, 49% absorbed by the surface, 32% reflected, 23% reflected by clouds, aerosol and atmospheric gases, 9% reflected by the surface. Earth is primarily heated by the sun, about 50% of solar energy is absorbed by earth. Solar intensity: more intense at the equator. *no maps will have to be drawn, but need to be understood. Circulation of ocean water is responsible for transferring 40% of heat from tropics to the polar regions. High pressure = cold air which is descending. Low pressure = warm air which is rising: often associated with storms, when air rises, moisture condenses, precipitation.
