Why does Earth have different biomes Climate determines
Why does Earth have different biomes? § Climate determines the distribution of biomes § The Earth’s global climate patterns are determined by the input of solar energy and the planet’s movement in space Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.
Why does Earth have different biomes? § Solar radiation varies with latitude—north and south – Most climatic variations are due to the uneven heating of Earth’s surface Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.
Low angle of incoming sunlight North Pole 60°N 30°N Tropic of Cancer Sunlight strikes most directly 0° (equator) Tropic of Capricorn 30°S Low angle of incoming sunlight Atmosphere 60°S South Pole
Why does Earth have different biomes? § The Earth’s tilt causes the seasons – The seasons of the year result from the permanent tilt of the plant on its axis as it orbits the sun Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.
June solstice (Northern Hemisphere tilts toward sun) Constant tilt of 23. 5° September equinox March equinox (equator faces sun directly) December solstice (Northern Hemisphere tilts away from sun)
Arctic circle 60°N 30°N Tropic of Cancer Equator Tropic of Capricorn 30°S Tropical forest Savanna Desert Chaparral Temperate grassland Temperate broadleaf forest Coniferous forest Tundra High mountains Polar ice
Desert
Savanna
Chaparral
Tropical Rainforest
Temperate Grassland
Coniferous Forest (Tiaga)
Temperate Deciduous Forest
Tundra
What connects all of Earth’s biomes?
The Water Cycle Solar heat Water vapor over the sea Precipitation over the sea Net movement of water vapor by wind Evaporation from the sea Water vapor over the land Precipitation over the land Evaporation and transpiration Oceans Flow of water from land to sea Surface water and groundwater
The Water Cycle
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