Bioregions and Biodiversity
________________ are distinct biological communities that have formed in response to a shared physical climate.
Biomes
________________________ is the theory that Earth's outer shell is divided into several plates that glide over the mantle, the rocky inner layer above the core. The plates act like a hard and rigid shell compared to Earth's mantle.
Plate tectonics
How does climate differ from weather?
Weather is the day to day condition of the atmosphere at a given place. Climate is the average atmospheric condition over a long period of time (usually 30 yrs)
Water on the earth’s surface is _____________% but most of that’s seawater. The percentage of water that’s useable and accessible is _____________%
70% ,1%
What are Fossil Fuels and Give an example?
A natural fuel such formed in the geological past from the remains of living organisms.
coal , gas
The bioregion associated with Bw Climates (The answer must include the B type of climate classification)
Dry Climates, Deserts
____________________ Processes generate natural physical features of the landscape and Create some natural resources but may cause destruction
Geologic
Define solar insolation
A measure of solar radiation often expressed in units of solar energy received over a specific area (square foot or square meter) over a specific period of time.
A condition where water availability is less than water demand, either currently or projected for the future.
Water stress
Describe the difference between nonrenewable and renewable energy
Nonrenewable sources of energy are finite and if continually used will run out.
Renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, and hydro, that are replenished by nature at a faster rate than they are used or consumed.
The __________ bioregion tends to be most dominant around the equator.
A, Tropical
What are rift valleys
Deep trenches or valleys on Earth’s surface created where tectonic plates diverge from each other.
________________ climate is a type of climate that is moderated by proximity to oceans or large seas. It is usually cool, cloudy, and wet and lacks the temperature extremes of continental climates.
Maritime
Identify 2 major world regions that will experience water stress by 2025
West North America, Sahel, India
________ refers to a set of drilling technologies that injects a mix of water, sand, and chemicals underground in order to release and enhance the removal of natural gas and oil.
hydraulic fracturing (fracking)
_______ are trees that drop their leaves during the winter season, slowing physiology as they prepare to hibernate.
Deciduous trees
Pacific ring of fire, ring of mostly convergent plate boundaries leads to one of the following:
A) VOLCANOES
B)EARTHQUAKES
C) NONE OF THE ABOVE
D)A AND B
B
Match the following climatic regions with the letters they represent according to the Koppen Climate Classification
Wet Climates
Mild Midlatitude Climates (Mediterranean)
Polar Climates
D, Db, Cs, E, BW, A
Wet Climates ______ A
Mild Midlatitude Climates (Mediterranean)____ Cs
Polar Climates _________ E
Polluted water takes a particularly high health toll on_____
Infants and children
Define the greenhouse effect and explain how it is related to anthropogenic climate change
The greenhouse effect is the trapping of solar radiation in the lower atmosphere, resulting in a warm envelope surrounding Earth. Incoming short-wave solar radiation is absorbed by land and water surfaces then reradiated into the atmosphere as long-wave infrared radiation which is absorbed by greenhouse gases—both natural and human-generated—that warms the lower atmosphere. As humans put more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, we are amplifying this process and affecting global climates.
Name some threats to Earth’s biodiversity. (At least 3)
habitat loss (from clear-cutting of forests, expansion of agriculture) overfishing, climate change, human boundaries to animal and plant migration
How does physical geography affect weather?
The orographic effect in mountainous areas, coastal cooling, higher winds in plains, continental climates
Describe the global trend of carbon dioxide emissions.
CO2 has been relatively stable until the industrial period when the burning of fossil fuels (coal and oil) began on a large scale.
Describe a major issue that causes water stress.
Drought and highly variable rainfall, poor access to potable water, high cost
Describe sea level rise and its main causes
A consequence of global warming, it is a rise in the world’s sea level due to a combination of polar ice cap melting and the thermal expansion of warmer ocean water. Forecasts are about 4 feet (1.4 meters) by the year 2100. Will cause considerable flooding of low-lying coastal areas.