the removal of salt from seawater to make it usable for drinking and farming
desalination
an imaginary line that runs through the center of the Earth between the North and South Poles
axis
the capacity of certain gases in the atmosphere to trap heat, thereby warming the Earth
greenhouse effect
being in or facing the direction from which the wind is blowing
windward
the physical characteristics of the surface of the land
terrain
water located underground within the Earth that supplies wells and springs
groundwater
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 winds
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 temperature
underground water-bearing layers of porous rock, sand, or gravel
aquifer
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
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
condition of the atmosphere in one place during a short period of time
Weather
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
a frequently windless area near the Equator
doldrums
major type of ecological community defined primarily by distinctive plant and animal groups
biome
an inland grassland area
prairie
weather patterns typical for an area over a long period of time
climate
continuous daylight, a time when the sun is visible at midnight during the summer in either the Arctic or Antarctic Circle
midnight sun
a periodic reversal of the pattern of ocean currents and water temperatures in the mid-Pacific region
El Niño
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