15.2 Climate

Bell Ringer:

• 1-What are the 4 spheres that are interconnected in our earth? • 2-Trace an animal (ex-a deer) through at least 3 spheres. 15.2 Climate

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 – seasonal variations Ex. Rainy/dry season 15.2 Climate

• Key factors shape an area’s climate. –temperature – sunlight – water –wind

• Temperature & moisture have a large role in shaping ecosystems. • Ex. desert is hot & dry rainforest is warm & moist 15.2 Climate

• A microclimate is the climate of a small specific place within a larger area. 15.2 Climate

Microclimate continued…

• Ex. Small hole in a log large city neighborhood frogs & grasshoppers in a grassy meadow 15.2 Climate

“Where is a forest might you find different microclimates?” 15.2 Climate

Bell Ringer:

• 1-On Friday we will be going outside for lab. We will be looking at microclimates. What is a microclimate? • 2-Think of 3 possible microclimates around our school building. • 3-Would you expect an area with several microclimates to have more or fewer ecological niches? EXPLAIN! 15.2 Climate

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 15.2 Climate

• A regions climate is categorized by average temperature & precipitation. 15.2 Climate

• The angle of the Sun’s rays help determine an area’s climate. 90 N polarpolar

temperatetemperate

tropicaltropical

temperatetemperate

polarpolar 15.2 Climate

• Earth’s tilt on its axis plays a role in seasonal change.

• Solar heating causes movements in both water and air. –wind – ocean currents – Warmer air & water is less dense than cooler air & water – (they rise) – Tropic air rises & cooler air moves in • Earth’s rotation also has effects on the winds and currents 15.2 Climate

• Landmasses shape inland climates. – larger changes in temperatures – heats & cools faster than water – less precipitation • Oceans shape coastal climates. – smaller changes in temperatures – higher humidity – more precipitation – due to open bodies of water 15.2 Climate

• Mountains have an effect on climate. – Precipitation occurs on the side of the mountain facing the wind. – As warm/moist air nears a mountain, it cools – On the downwind side, drier and cooler air produce a rain shadow. –. western slope eastern slope 15.2 Climate

• A rain shadow is an area of decreased precipitation • Ex. Sierra Nevada Mountain range in CA

western slope eastern slope 15.2 Climate

• Many organisms survive in a specific climate due to their adaptations. • Ex. Water-holding frog in dry area of Australia 15.2 Climate

“Describe the climate where we live.”