MILLER/SPOOLMAN 17 TH LIVING IN THE ENVIRONMENT. Chapter 7 Climate and Biodiversity

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1 MILLER/SPOOLMAN LIVING IN THE ENVIRONMENT 17 TH Chapter 7 Climate and Biodiversity

2 Core Case Study: Different Climates Support Different Life Forms Climate -- long-term temperature and precipitation patterns determines which plants and animals can live where Tropical: equator, intense sunlight Polar: poles, little sunlight Temperate: in-between tropical and polar

3 Three Major Climate Zones Fig. 7-1, p. 147

4 7-1 What Factors Influence Climate? Concept 7-1 Key factors that determine an area s climate are incoming solar energy, the earth s rotation, global patterns of air and water movement, gases in the atmosphere, and the earth s surface features.

5 The Earth Has Many Different Climates (1) Weather Temperature, precipitation, wind speed, cloud cover Hours to days Climate Area s general pattern of atmospheric conditions over decades and longer

6 Natural Capital: Generalized Map of the Earth s Current Climate Zones Fig. 7-2, p. 149

7 Arctic Circle Tropic of Cancer Tropic of Capricorn Antarctic Circle Polar (ice) Subarctic (snow) Cool temperate Highland Warm ocean current River Warm temperate Dry Tropical Major upwelling zones Cold ocean current Fig. 7-2, p. 149

8 The Earth Has Many Different Climates (2) Air circulation in lower atmosphere due to 1. Uneven heating of the earth s surface by sun 2. Rotation of the earth on its axis 3. Properties of air, water, and land Ocean currents Prevailing winds Earth s rotation Redistribution of heat from the sun Surface currents and deep currents

9 Global Air Circulation Fig. 7-3, p. 149

10 The highest solar energy input is at the equator. 30 N 60 N Westerlies Northeast trades Polar cap Cold deserts Evergreen coniferous forest Temperate deciduous forest and grassland Hot desert Moist air rises, cools, and releases moisture as rain Air cools and descends at lower latitudes. Solar energy Equator 0 30 S Southeast trades 60 S Westerlies Polar cap Tropical deciduous forest Tropical rain forest Tropical deciduous forest Hot desert Temperate deciduous forest and grassland Cold deserts Warm air rises and moves toward the poles. Air cools and descends at lower latitudes. Fig. 7-3, p. 149

11 LOW PRESSURE Cool, dry air Heat released radiates to space HIGH PRESSURE Condensation and precipitation Falls, is compressed, warms Rises, expands, cools Warm, dry air HIGH PRESSURE Flows toward low pressure, picks up moisture and heat Moist surface warmed by sun Hot, wet air LOW PRESSURE Fig. 7-4, p. 150

12 Energy Transfer by Convection in the Atmosphere Fig. 7-4, p. 150

13 Connected Deep and Shallow Ocean Currents Fig. 7-5, p. 150

14 Warm, less salty, shallow current Cold, salty, deep current Fig. 7-5, p. 150

15 The Earth Has Many Different Climates (3) El Niño-Southern Oscillation Every few years Prevailing winds in tropical Pacific Ocean change direction Affects much of earth s weather for 1-2 years Link between air circulation, ocean currents, and biomes

16 Normal and El Niño Conditions Figure 4, Supplement 7

17 Impact of El Nino-Southern Oscillation Figure 5, Supplement 7

18 Greenhouse Gases Warm the Greenhouse gases H 2 O CO 2 CH 4 N 2 O Lower Atmosphere Natural greenhouse effect Gases keep earth habitable Human-enhanced global warming

19 Flow of Energy to and from the Earth Fig. 3-4, p. 57

20 Earth s Surface Features Affect Local Climates Differential heat absorption by land and water Land and sea breezes Rain shadow effect Most precipitation falls on the windward side of mountain ranges Deserts leeward Cities create microclimates

21 Rain Shadow Effect Fig. 7-6, p. 152

22 Prevailing winds pick up moisture from an ocean. On the windward side of a mountain range, air rises, cools, and releases moisture. On the leeward side of the mountain range, air descends, warms, and releases little moisture, causing rain shadow effect. Fig. 7-6, p. 152

23 7-2 How Does Climate Affect the Nature and Locations of Biomes? Concept 7-2 Differences in average annual precipitation and temperature lead to the formation of tropical, temperate, and cold deserts, grasslands, and forests, and largely determine their locations.

24 Climate Helps Determine Where Organisms Can Live Major biomes: large land regions with certain types of climate and dominant plant life Not uniform Mosaic of patches Latitude and elevation Annual precipitation Temperature

25 The Earth s Major Biomes Fig. 7-7, p. 153

26 North America Biomes Figure 3, Supplement 8

27 Generalized Effects of Elevation and Latitude on Climate and Biomes Fig. 7-8, p. 153

28 Elevation Mountain ice and snow Tundra (herbs, lichens, mosses) Coniferous Forest Deciduous Forest Latitude (south to north) Tropical Forest Tropical Forest Deciduous Forest Coniferous Forest Tundra (herbs, lichens, mosses) Polar ice and snow Fig. 7-8, p. 153

29 Elevation Mountain ice and snow Tundra (herbs, lichens, mosses) Coniferous Forest Deciduous Forest Latitude Tropical Forest Tropical Forest Deciduous Forest Coniferous Forest Tundra (herbs, lichens, mosses) Polar ice and snow Stepped Art Fig. 7-8, p. 153

30 Natural Capital: Average Precipitation and Average Temperature as Limiting Factors Fig. 7-9, p. 154

31 Cold Arctic tundra Evergreen coniferous forest Cold desert Temperate deciduous forest Chaparral Temperate desert Temperate grassland Hot Wet Tropical rain forest Tropical desert Dry Tropical grassland (savanna) Fig. 7-9, p. 154

32 Global Plant Biodiversity Figure 6, Supplement 8

33 Tropic of Cancer High mountains Polar ice Arctic tundra (cold grassland) Temperate grassland Tropical grassland (savanna) Chaparral Coniferous forest Temperate deciduous forest Temperate rain forest Tropical rain forest Tropical dry forest Desert Equator Tropic of Capricorn Fig. 7-7, p. 153

34 There Are Three Major Types of 1. Tropical deserts Deserts 2. Temperate deserts 3. Cold deserts Fragile ecosystem Slow plant growth Low species diversity Slow nutrient recycling Lack of water

35 Climate Graphs of Three Types of Deserts Fig. 7-10, p. 155

36 Stepped Art Fig. 7-10, p. 155

37 Temperate Desert Ecosystem in North America Figure 1, Supplement 6

38 Science Focus: Staying Alive in the Desert Beat the heat/every drop of water counts Plant adaptations Succulents Deep tap roots Animal strategies and adaptations Physiology and anatomy Behavior

39 Wildflowers Bloom after Rain in Arizona Fig. 7-A, p. 156

40 There Are Three Major Types of 1. Tropical Grasslands (1) 2. Temperate 3. Cold (arctic tundra)

41 Climate Graphs of Tropical, Temperate, and Cold Grasslands Fig. 7-11, p. 157

42 Stepped Art Fig. 7-11, p. 157

43 There Are Three Major Types of Tropical Savanna Grazing animals Browsing animals Grasslands (2) Temperate Cold winters and hot and dry summers Tall-grass prairies Short-grass prairies Often converted to farmland

44 Temperate Tall-Grass Prairie Ecosystem in North America Figure 2, Supplement 6

45 There Are Three Major Types of Grasslands (3) Arctic tundra: fragile biome Plants close to ground to conserve heat Most growth in short summer Animals have thick fur Permafrost Underground soil that stays frozen Alpine tundra: above tree line in mountains

46 Monoculture Crop Replacing Biologically Diverse Temperate Grassland Fig. 7-12, p. 158

47 Temperate Shrubland: Nice Climate, Chaparral Risky Place to Live Near the sea: nice climate Prone to fires in the dry season

48 There Are Three Major Types of 1. Tropical Forests (1) 2. Temperate 3. Cold Northern coniferous and boreal

49 Climate Graphs of Tropical, Temperate, and Cold Forests Fig. 7-13, p. 160

50 Stepped Art Fig. 7-13, p. 160

51 There Are Three Major Types of Forests (2) Tropical rain forests Temperature and moisture Stratification of specialized plant and animal niches Little wind: significance Rapid recycling of scarce soil nutrients Impact of human activities

52 Tropical Rain Forest Ecosystem Fig. 7-14, p. 161

53 Blue and gold macaw Harpy eagle Ocelot Climbing monstera palm Slaty-tailed trogon Squirrel monkeys Katydid Tree frog Green tree snake Snail Ants Bacteria Bromeliad Fungi Producer to primary consumer Primary to secondary consumer Secondary to higher-level consumer All producers and consumers to decomposers Fig. 7-14, p. 161

54 Niche Stratification in a Tropical Rain Forest Fig. 7-15, p. 162

55 Height (meters) Harpy eagle Emergent layer Toco toucan Canopy Wooly opossum Understory 10 5 Brazilian tapir Shrub layer 0 Black-crowned antpitta Ground layer Fig. 7-15, p. 162

56 There Are Three Major Types of Forests (3) Temperate deciduous forests Temperature and moisture Broad-leaf trees Slow rate of decomposition: significance Impact of human activities

57 Temperate Deciduous Forest Ecosystem in North America Figure 4, Supplement 6

58 There Are Three Major Types of Forests (4) Evergreen coniferous forests: boreal and taigas Temperature and moisture Few species of cone: bearing trees Slow decomposition: significance Coastal coniferous forest Temperate rain forests

59 Evergreen Coniferous Forest Ecosystem in North America Figure 5, Supplement 6

60 Temperate Rain Forest in Washington State Fig. 7-16, p. 163

61 Mountains Play Important Ecological Roles Majority of the world s forests Islands of biodiversity Habitats for endemic species Help regulate the earth s climate Major storehouses of water Role in hydrologic cycle

62 Mount Rainier National Park in Washington State Fig. 7-17, p. 163

63 7-3 How Have We Affected the Word s Terrestrial Ecosystems? Concept 7-3 In many areas, human activities are impairing ecological and economic services provided by the earth s deserts, grasslands, forests, and mountains.

64 Humans Have Disturbed Most of Deserts the Earth s Lands Grasslands Forests Mountains

65 Major Human Impacts on Terrestrial Ecosystems Fig. 7-18, p. 165

66 Natural Capital Degradation Major Human Impacts on Terrestrial Ecosystems Deserts Grasslands Forests Mountains Large desert cities Destruction of soil and underground habitat by off-road vehicles Soil salinization from irrigation Depletion of groundwater Land disturbance and pollution from mineral extraction Conversion to cropland Release of CO 2 to atmosphere from burning grassland Overgrazing by livestock Oil production and off-road vehicles in arctic tundra Clearing for agriculture, livestock grazing, timber, and urban development Conversion of diverse forests to tree plantations Damage from offroad vehicles Pollution of forest streams Agriculture Timber and mineral extraction Hydroelectric dams and reservoirs Increasing tourism Air pollution blowing in from urban areas and power plants Soil damage from off-road vehicles Water supplies threatened by glacial melting Fig. 7-18, p. 165

67 NATURAL CAPITAL DEGRADATION Major Human Impacts on Terrestrial Ecosystems Deserts Grasslands Forests Mountains Large desert cities Soil destruction by off-road vehicles Soil salinization from irrigation Depletion of groundwater Land disturbance and pollution from mineral extraction Conversion to cropland Release of CO 2 to atmosphere from burning grassland Overgrazing by livestock Oil production and off-road vehicles in arctic tundra Clearing for Agriculture agriculture, Timber extraction livestock grazing, timber, and urban Mineral extraction development Hydroelectric dams and reservoirs Conversion of Increasing tourism diverse forests to tree plantations Urban air pollution Increased ultraviolet Damage from offroad vehicles depletion radiation from ozone Pollution of Soil damage from off-road forest streams vehicles Stepped Art Fig. 7-18, p. 165

68 Three Big Ideas 1. Differences in climate, based mostly on long-term differences in average temperature and precipitation, largely determine the types and locations of the earth s deserts, grasslands, and forests. 2. The earth s terrestrial systems provide important ecological and economic services.

69 Three Big Ideas 3. Human activities are degrading and disrupting many of the ecological and economic services provided by the earth s terrestrial ecosystems.