Vocac
An imaginary line between the north and south poles
Axis
certain gases in the atmosphere to trap heat, thereby warming the Earth
Greenhouse effect
pattern of ocean currents and water temperatures in the mid-Pacific region
El Nino
plant that lives in a certain area that the humans have not touched.
Natural vegetation
vegetation to leaves
Coniferous
the Earth’s yearly trip around the sun, taking 365¼ days
Revolution
seawater that flows in the oceans, generally in a circular pattern
Current
facing the direction that the wind is blowing
Windward
The physical characteristics of the surface of the land
Terrain
trees such as oak and maple, which lose their leaves in autumn
Deciduous
sun is directly above the Equator, making day and night equal in length
Equinox
Wind that blows in consstant pattern
Prevailing wind
also facing which way the wind is blowing
Leeward
temperature and the overnight low; often used for comparison across climate regions
Average daily temperature
forest with both coniferous and deciduous trees
Mixed forest
sun’s rays strike directly on the Tropic of Cancer or Tropic of Capricorn, showing the beginning of summer or winter.
solstice
The resulting movemnt causes by wind
Coriolis effect
dry areas develop on the leeward sides of mountain ranges
Rain shadow
Area in the desert where all of the water is found.
Oasis
permanently frozen layer of soil beneath the surface of the ground
Permafrost
sun is visible at midnight during the summer in either the Arctic or Antarctic
midnight sun
windless area near the Equator
Doldrums
and ecological community for all of the animal groups
Biome
an inland grassland area
Prairie
weather patterns typical for an area over a long period of time
climate