random
one of two days (about June 21 and December 22) on which the sun’s rays strike directly on the Tropic of Cancer or Tropic of Capricorn, marking the beginning of summer or winter
Solstice
the resulting diagonal movement, either north or south, of prevailing winds caused by the Earth’s rotation
coriolis effect
result of a process by which dry areas develop on the leeward sides of mountain ranges
Rain shadow
small area in a desert where water and vegetation are found
Oasis
permanently frozen layer of soil beneath the surface of the ground
Permafrost
continuous daylight, a time when the sun is visible at midnight during the summer in either the Arctic or Antarctic
Midnight sun
a frequently windless area near the Equator
Doldrums
major type of ecological community defined primarily by distinctive plant and animal groups
an inland grassland area
Prairie
piles of rocky debris left by melting glaciers
Moraine
the capacity of certain gasses in the atmosphere to trap heat, thereby warming the Earth
Greenhouse Effect
a periodic reversal of the pattern of ocean currents and water temperatures in the mid-Pacific region
El Nino
plant life that grows in a certain area if people have not changed the natural environment
Natural vegetation
referring to vegetation having cones and needle shaped leaves, including many evergreens, that keep their foliage throughout the winter
Coniferous
one of two days (about March 21 and September 23) on which the sun is directly above the Equator, making day and night equal in length
Equinox
cold or warm stream of seawater that flows in the oceans, generally in a circular pattern
Being in or facing the direction from which the wind is blowing
Windward
the physical characteristics of the surface of the land
Terrain
falling off or shed seasonally or periodically; trees such as oak and maple, which lose their leaves in autumn
Deciduous
in astronomy, the Earth’s yearly trip around the sun, taking 365¼ days
Revolution
wind in a region that blows in a fairly constant directional pattern
prevailing wind
Being in or facing the direction toward which the wind is blowing
Leeward
the average of the daily high temperature and the overnight low; often used for comparison across climate regions
Average daily temperatures
forest with both coniferous and deciduous trees
Mixed forest
either of the two points on Earth where its axis of rotation intersects its surface
Poles