PSSC 330 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Muskox, Permafrost, Surface Runoff
24 Sep 2016
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Document Summary
Very large ecosystems recognized by major types of plants and animal communities. Recognizable based on predominant vegetation and adaptations of organisms to that particular environment. 867 across the globe have been mapped & defined. Oak forest/woodlands; delta; n. central valley= diff ecoregions that are all v different. The single most important factor determining kinds/amounts of vegetation in an area. If less than 500 mm rainfall a year, gets very hard to manage. Most rangelands characterized by low annual rainfall. [most precipitation in the east coast, south, pacific nw oregon & washington v little in. Orographic lift/rainshadow- as clouds move west to east with lots of humidity, they must lose weight to pass over mountains. Cold air holds less moisture than warm air. So windward side=wet/cold, leeward side (over mountain)= hot/dry & little vegetation. If a valley is large enough (like central valley) it can re-power the clouds/fill them with moisture so that vegetation does okay (unlike reno basin)
