Climate Test Review

Vocab

1

Gasses in the earth's atmosphere like CO2 and methane that trap heat.

Greenhouse gasses

2

A very dry climate zone that receives extremely little rainfall and has a wide range of temperatures. Contains deserts and steppes

Arid

3

Using resources in a way that meets our needs today without interfering with the future’s energy needs.

Sustainable

4

Measures the distance EAST or WEST of the prime meridian

Longitude

5

A climate zone that is not too cold or too hot, has diverse vegetation, and can have dry summers, dry winters, or can be damp all year round.

Temperate

5 Climate Zones

1

Climate zone that is located along the equator.

Tropical

2

Climate zone located towards the North pole and south pole

Polar

3

If over the year precipitation for a place received 7 inches with an average temperature above 50 degrees F, what climate zone must this refer to?

Arid

4

Diverse vegetation. Climate zone found primarily in the United States.

Temperate

5

This climate zone includes biomes such as the alpine tundra and ice caps.

Polar

Renewable Resources

1

TRUE or FALSE: Solar power is considered a form of sustainable energy.

TRUE

2

Name a renewable energy source that does NOT rely on weather conditions.

Nuclear, Biofuel, or Hydrogen Fuel Cells

3

Which renewable energy resource uses heat from inside the earth?

Geothermal

4

Name ONE benefit of NUCLEAR energy

Very low amount of greenhouse gasses produced.

They also have a very high energy capacity.

5

What is ONE downside of SOLAR power?

Downsides include: Only produce energy while sun is up, produce less energy on cloudy days, panels need to be cleaned, and maintenance on the panels is necessary as well. 

Greenhouse Effect/Deforestation

1

What is the NUMBER ONE "thing" deforestation is carried out for? 

Agriculture/farming

2

Name two greenhouse gasses

CO2, Methane, Nitrous Oxide, Water vapor

3

Other than farming, what is another reason deforestation might take place?

Construction of neighborhoods/buildings.

Production of lumber and tree products.

4

Why do scientists refer to it as "The Greenhouse Effect"?

Because the gasses in earth's atmosphere traps heat like a greenhouse.

5

Why are scientists concerned about the way greenhouse gasses are increasing?

Because they are increasing much faster than before, and rising temperatures are a result. Rising temperature can lead to faster melting of ice caps and raise sea levels.

The Wetlands

1

What year did the researchers predict in their study?

2100

2

What does it mean for a plant or animal to be invasive?

It is not native and does not originally belong to the region. It may result in unwanted consequences for a biome.

3

What happened to the native plants when researchers increased BOTH CO2 and NITROGEN?

The invasive phragmites grew taller than the native plants and started stealing resources

4

Name 3 resources phragmites could steal from the native plants at the marsh.

Sunlight, Water, Nutrients, Physical space (for roots)

5

Why are the native plants important for the marsh? Give two reasons.

1. Food source/natural habitat for native animals and bugs.

2. Protect the nearby coastal cities from storm surge (flooding)