Major Factors Determining Global Weather 

(3 things)

1. Solar Radiation

-updraft and rain near equator

-downdraft and dry at 30 degrees

2. Earth's Rotation and Tilt

-west to east rotation, causes east to west breeze and ocean curents at equator, opposite at 30 degrees

-tilt of 23.5 = seasons

3. Ocean Conveyor

-oceanic surface currents -> temp moderation

-above tree line (treeless), not enough nutrients/sunlight

-Mostly above arctic circle (66 degrees north)

-cold, damp, low evaporation and precip. (low solar radiation)

-Lots of carbon in permafrost

-low biodiversity

Conifer (Boreal) Forest

(Taiga)

-Coniferous

-Low diversity of trees

-Cold and dry

-Catastrophe prone forests (insects, wind)

-Spire shaped trees to reduce snow/ wind damage

-Needles:

-reduce nutrient needs

-Continual photosynthesis

-water conservation (surface area)

-shallow root growth = wind throw damage

-Vulnerable to insect attacks, b/c of high density of trees and wind damage

-spire shape = lower center of mass, lower wind/ snow damage

-30-45 degrees N&S

-moderate temperatures

-seasons (dry in summer, wetter in winter)

-leaves dying in fall processed by invertebrates/fungi

-Rich soils, thick hummus b/c of moisture and decomposers

-Includes: Savanna, Veldt, Pampas, Steppes, and Prairie 

-drier due to rain shadow effects

-rich soil = agriculture

-low relief vegetation

-wind pollination

-Fire is helpful

-maintenence

-nutrient recycling

-plants have adapted to fire

-30 degrees N&S (region of descending air)

-dry and hot

-from wandering dunes to rugged terrain

-plants & animals conserve water

-thermoregulatory behavior (avoid mid day activity)

-most biodiverse (2/3 of all species)

-warm and moist

-rapid decomposition -> thin soils

-buttress roots

-laterite soils

-big leaves

-Epiphytes

-vines use trees as support

-consumers mostly live in the trees

-selection pressure (crypsis and plant chemical defenses)

Major Types of Freshwater Habitats

(6)

1. Vernal Pools

2. Ponds

3. Wetlands

4. Creeks/ Streams

5. Rivers

6. Lakes

Brackish Water

(& 2 Types)

-mixed salt/ fresh water

1. Salt Marshes

2. Bays, Estuaries

Marine Ecosystems

(2 Types)

1. Intertidal

-high nutrient content

-harsh conditions (dehydration, UV rays, waves)

2. Neritic Zones

-from shore to continental shelf edge

-gentle water, sunlight, nutrient recycling

1. Kelp Forests (brown alga)

-sea otters (keystone)

-need clear, cold, nutrient rich water

2. Coral Reefs

-second most biodiverse habitat

-coral polyps build CaCO3 skeletons

-extra nutrients kills coral (algae grow, block sun)

-aka "pelagic"

-entire ocean seaward from neritic zone

-nutrient poor (dead organisms sink down)

-benthic zone- bottom substrate, most nutrient part

-no attached plants/ algae

-Phytoplankton at surface, fed on by zooplankton at night

-receive and don't receive enough sunlight

-aphotic = below 1000 ft

-bottom of the ocean

-geothermic vents