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15.2 Climate
Chapter 15 : Climate and Biomes
KEY CONCEPT
Climate is a key abiotic factor that affects the
biosphere.
15.2 Climate
Climate is the prevailing weather of a region.
• Climate is the long-term
pattern of weather
conditions.
– average temperature
– precipitation
– relative humidity
• Key factors shape an area’s
climate.
– temperature
– sunlight
– water
– wind
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• A microclimate is the climate of a small specific place
within a larger area.
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Earth has three main climate zones.
• The three main zones are the polar, tropical, and
temperate climates.
– polar climate: the far northern
and southern regions of
Earth
– tropical zone: surrounds
the equator
– temperate zone: the
wide area in between
the polar and tropical zones
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• The angle of the Sun’s rays help determine an area’s
climate.
90 N
polar
temperate
tropical
temperate
polar
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• Earth’s tilt on its axis plays a role in seasonal change.
• Solar heating causes movements in both water and air.
– wind
– ocean currents
• Earth’s rotation also has effects on the winds and currents
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• Landmasses shape inland
climates.
– larger changes in
temperatures
– less precipitation
• Oceans shape coastal
climates.
– smaller changes in
temperatures
– higher humidity
– more precipitation
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• Mountains have an effect on climate.
– Precipitation occurs on the side of the mountain
facing the wind.
– On the downwind side, drier and cooler air produce
a rain shadow.
– A rain shadow is an area of decreased precipitation.
western slope
eastern slope
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• Many organisms survive in a specific climate due to their
adaptations.
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KEY CONCEPT
Biomes are land-based, global communities of
organisms.
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Earth has six major biomes.
• A biome is a major community of organisms.
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• Tropical rain forest
biomes produce lush
forests.
– warm temperature
– abundant
precipitation all year
Source: World Meteorological Organization
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• Grassland biomes are where the primary plant life is
grass.
Rapid City, South Dakota
Source: National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration
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• Grassland biomes are where the primary plant life is
grass.
– Temperate grasslands are dry and warm during the
summer; most precipitation falls as snow.
– Tropical grasslands are warm through the year, with
definite dry and rainy seasons.
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• Desert biomes are
characterized by a very arid
climate.
– very low amount of
precipitation
– four types: hot, semiarid, coastal, and cold
Tucson, Arizona
Source: National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration
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• Temperate forest biomes include deciduous forests and
rain forests.
– Temperate deciduous forests have hot summers and
cold winters.
– Deciduous trees are the dominant plant species.
Burlington, Vermont
Source: National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration
15.2 Climate
• Temperate forest biomes include deciduous forests and
rain forests.
– Temperate deciduous forests have hot summers and
cold winters.
– Deciduous trees are the dominant plant species.
– The temperate rain forests have a long wet season and
relatively dry summer.
– Ferns and moss
cover the forest floor.
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• The taiga biome is located
in cooler northern climates.
– boreal forest
– long winters and short
summers
– small amount of
precipitation
Banff, Canada
Source: Environment Canada
15.2 Climate
• The tundra biome is found
in the far northern latitudes
with long winters.
– winter lasts 10 months
– limited precipitation
– permafrost
Barrow, Alaska
Source: National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration
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• Minor biomes, such as chaparral, occur globally on a
smaller scale.
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Polar ice caps and mountains are not considered biomes.
• Polar ice caps have no soil, therefore no plant community.
• The climate and organisms found on mountains change as
the elevation changes.
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KEY CONCEPT
Marine ecosystems are global.
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The ocean can be divided into zones.
• Ocean zones can be determined by their distance from
shoreline and water depths.
– intertidal zone—between low and high tide
– neritic zone—from
intertidal zone to
continental shelf
– bathyal zone—
from neritic zone to
base of continental
shelf
– abyssal zone –lies
below 2000 m
intertidal zone
neritic zone
bathyl
zone
abyssal
zone
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• The neritic zone harbors more biomass than any other
zone.
• Plankton make up most of the biomass.
– zooplankton
– phytoplankton
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Coastal waters contain unique habitats.
• Coral reefs are found in warm waters.
– tropical climate zone
– great amount of biomass
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• Kelp forests are found in
cold, nutrient-rich waters.
– large communities of
seaweed
– great amount of
biomass
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Climate
KEY
CONCEPT
Freshwater ecosystems include estuaries as well
as flowing and standing water.
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Estuaries are dynamic environments where rivers flow
into the ocean.
• An estuary is a partially enclosed body of water.
– mixture of fresh water with salt water
– Chesapeake Bay
– Louisiana bayous
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• Estuaries are highly productive ecosystems.
• Estuaries provide a protected refuge for many species.
– birds migration
– spawning grounds
• Estuaries are primarily threatened by land development.
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Freshwater ecosystems include moving and standing
water.
• A watershed is a region of land that drains into a body of
water
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• Hocking County Watershed
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• Wetlands are the link between land and water
• Swamps, marshes, and bogs are all types of wetlands
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• Wetlands are the kidneys of the Earth
– Toxins are filtered out of the water by wetlands
– Regulation of water levels is a key feature of wetlands
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Ponds and lakes share common features.
• Freshwater bodies are divided into three zones.
– littoral zone
– limnetic zone
– benthic zone