World Geography Objective: Climate and Biomes Learning Goal 3: Explain how physical processes create climate regions and explain how climate influences.

World GeographyObjective: Climate and

Biomes Learning Goal 3:

Explain how physical processes create climate regions and explain how climate influences the distribution of biomes. (TEKS/SE’s 3A,4A, 4C)

cli·mate  noun \ˈklī-mət\ the average course or condition of the

weather at a place usually over a period of years as exhibited by temperature, wind velocity, and precipitation

What is a climograph?

World Climate Regions

Warm Up: Write these down on the back of your cornel notes

Review this map and tell me the following. List the three continents with the driest

climate List the two continents with the most

tropical weather List the three continents with the most cool

and subarctic climate regions

What is the relationship between weather conditions, climate and the Earth-Sun relationship?

Earth’s Tilt and Revolution The earth is tilted at an angle of 23 ½

as it revolves around the sun. Because of this, different areas of the earth receive different amounts of sun which creates the different seasons on earth.

3A

The Tropics The Tropic of Cancer (23 ½ N) and the

Tropic of Capricorn (23 ½ S) mark the areas on the earth known as the Tropics which are the areas farthest north and south where the sun’s rays shine directly overhead.

3A

Polar Areas

Areas around the poles (north and south) receive less direct sunlight due to the earth tilt and are thus much cooler than other places on earth.

How do elevation, latitude, wind systems, ocean currents, position on a continent, and mountain barriers influence temperature, precipitation, and distribution of climate regions?

4A

LAMECOW: ACRONYM

L-atitude A-ir Masses M-ountain Barriers E-levation C-ontinent Position

on O-cean Currents W-ind

Factor #1

ElevationTemperature Precipitation Distribution of

Climate Regions

Areas of higher elevation are much cooler due to thinner air’s inability to hold heat, lack of land to reflect heat, and the conditions of the atmosphere.

Thinner air at higher elevations makes it difficult for air to retain heat/ precipitation causing significant snow at high elevations.

Areas of high elevation occur around the globe.

Factor #2

LatitudeTemperature Precipitation Distribution of Climate

RegionsLatitude has the greatest impact on climate since it determines the amount of sunlight an area receives.

Those closest to the equator receive more sunlight (heat) while those farthest away from the equator receive less.

Latitude has some influence on precipitation. For example, the hot rising air around the equator creates continually moist climates.

-Areas of low elevation (areas between the tropics- 23 ½ N and S) are warm due to the sun’s direct rays. -The middle latitudes (23 ½ N/S - 66 ½ N/S) have temperate/ seasonal climates. -The higher latitudes (66 ½ N/S- 90) have the coldest climates due to their distance from direct sunlight.

Factor #3

Wind SystemsTemperature Precipitation Distribution of

Climate Regions-Wind distributes temperatures across the earth’s surface. Wind that moves across warmer or cool water or land transfers those qualities.

Precipitation on the earth is moved and distributed by prevailing winds.

-Areas of high low pressure (rising warm air) tend to receive more rain while areas of low pressure (falling cooler air) tend to get less rain.

Factor #4

Ocean CurrentsTemperature Precipitation Distribution of

Climate Regions-Waters of the ocean help distribute the earth’s heat. These currents influence the temperature of the areas nearby. -Warm water from the tropics is circulated to the poles and cold water from the poles is circulated to the equator.

-As in the case of wind currents, cool and warm ocean currents transfer precipitation around the world.

-Cooler oceans near the poles keep those areas cool and warmer waters near the tropics also hold heat.

Factor #5: Position on a Continent

Oceans are solar energy collectors Because water heats & cools more

slowly than land…1. Coastline has a more stable temperature

2. Areas along coastlines are influenced by ocean currents,

thus they receive more rain.(precipitation)

3. Interior of continent has extreme temperatures (hotter & colder)

Factor#6 Mountain BarriersTemperature Precipitation Distribution of

Climate Regions

*See influence of elevation on temperature.

When air moves over mountains, precipitation (orographic) tends to occur on the windward side. This creates a wet side (windward) and a dry side (leeward).

As mountains can occur anywhere on earth, this influence on climate can as well.

The Hobbit

Middle Earth: Apply the climate factors

On the menu!

1. Turn in Climographs HM

2. Cornel Notes: Completed with 4 questions for each class. And a summary. Keep track of them. Due Thursday. For a grade

3. One question must use the term Explain

4. Thursday: Quiz on the first three learning goals.

5. After quiz: IDs!!!!!!!

6. Extra Credit Opportunity: 50 points!

What am I? Warm up: Use your Phones if you want or P. 594-595 I am a seasonal

weather phenomenon in South Asia. I am characterized by massive amounts of rain that cause severe flooding.

What causes this weather event?

What is a country I am associated with?

Temp Stable? What climate

factor?

Continental Position

Latitude

Temp Stable? What climate

factor?

Ocean Currents Latitude

How does climate influence the distribution of biomes in different regions?

Biomes

The ecosystems (community of plants and animal) of a specific region are called biomes. Biomes are divided into four main categories: forests, grasslands, deserts, and tundra

4C

Influence of Climate

Temperature and precipitation determine the distribution of the world’s biomes.

Tropical Biomes: Areas in the lower latitudes are influenced by warmer temperatures and often abundant precipitation. Biomes in these regions include tropical rainforests and tropical grasslands.

4C

Influence of Climate

Temperate Biomes: Areas in the middle latitudes have biomes adapted to seasonal shifts in temperature in precipitation in temperature. Biomes in these regions include deciduous forests and temperate grasslands. As the latitude increases deciduous forest transition to mixed and coniferous forests.

4C

Influence of Climate

Polar Biomes: Areas in the higher latitudes tend to be dominated by coniferous forests in the warmer portions that transition to tundra in the cooler areas.

Deserts: These biomes occur in areas with limited precipitation requiring plants and animals who have adapted for such conditions.

4C