The Biosphere, Global air Circulation Patterns, and more

Biosphere
a little powerpoint around the Biosphere's:

- Global Air Circulation Patterns and its effects
- Surface wind Patterns and how do they work
- Ocean currents and their effects
- ESNO (The El nino Southern Oscilation) and it effects
- Difference of Biomes
- Different types of Biomes

1. The Biosphere Earth and Life Science

2. The Biosphere Going With the flow

3. Going With the Flow Earth's air and seas circulate materials on a global scale The biosphere is made up of interconnected systems, including the atmosphere and oceans, which are constantly in motion. The 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan caused signif ic ant damage and resulted in the release of radioactive material from the Fukushima nuclear power plant Prevailing winds carried some of the radioactive material released in the air eastward, leading to the detection of radioisotopes on the west coast of North America and in Europe.

4. Going With the Flow Earth's air and seas circulate materials on a global scale Materials in the ocean move more slowly, and some of the debris from the tsunami stayed afloat and was carried along by surface currents, eventually washing up on the west coast of North America. The movement of radioactive water from the Fukushima plant is being monitored, and although some 137Cs-enriched water is expected to reach the west coast of North America, scientists think it is unlikely to pose a threat to human health.

5. The Biosphere GLOBAL AIR CIRCULATION PATTERNS

6. GLOBAL AIR CIRCULATION PATTERNS Biosphere includes all areas where life exists Climate refers to average weather conditions over time These factors include intensity of sunlight, distribution of landmasses and seas, and elevation. Geographical distribution of species in biosphere is largely dependent on climate Factors that influence winds and ocean currents vary from place to place, leading to regional climate differences

7. Earth's axis is tilted 23 degrees, causing seasonal changes in day length and temperature. In (a) June, the Northern Hemisphere receives more intense sunlight and has longer days than the Southern Hemisphere. In (c) December, the opposite is true. In (b) Spring and autumn equinoxes result in 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness everywhere on Earth. The extent of seasonal change in daylight increases with latitude. At 25° N/S of the equator, the longest day length is less than 14 hours. At 60° N/S of the equator, the longest day is nearly 19 hours. Seasonal Effects (a) Summer solstice (June). Northern Hemisphere is most tilted toward sun; has its longest day. (b) Autumn equinox (September). Sun's direct rays fall on equator; length of day equals length of night. (c) Winter solstice (December) Northern Hemisphere is most tilted away from sun; has its shortest day. (d) Spring equlnox (March).Sun's direct rays fall on equator; length of day equals length of night. Global Air Circulation Patterns

8. GLOBAL AIR CIRCULATION PATTERNS Air Circulation and Rainfall Equatorial regions receive more sunlight energy than higher latitudes due to absorption and dispersed energy in sunlight. Warm air rises and holds more water, explaining regional warming and global air circulation. • Air from the equator ascends and moves north and south, causing rainfall to support tropical rainforests. • Air sinks back to Earth's surface at 30° N or S of the equator, causing cooling, low moisture, and the formation of deserts like the Sahara.

9. The Biosphere Surface wind Patterns

10. Surface Wind Patterns Major wind patterns are caused by the movement of air in the lower atmosphere from sinking to rising latitudes. As the Earth spins beneath air masses, the speed of rotation slows and causes winds to follow a curved path relative to Earth's surface. In the Northern Hemisphere, winds curve toward the right of their initial direction, while in the Southern Hemisphere, they curve toward the left. Winds are named for the direction from which they blow. For example, westerlies blow from west to east in the United States.

11. Winds blow most consistently from one region where air is rising to another. Intermittent winds occur where air actually rises, such as in the doldrums near the equator.

12. The Biosphere Ocean Currents and Their Effects

13. Ocean Currents and Their Effects Sunlight causes water to heat and cool, creating latitudinal and seasonal variations. -Sea surface water moves from the equator toward the poles, warming the air above it and transferring 10 million billion calories of heat energy to the air every second at midlatitudes. Ocean currents flow due to major winds, Earth's rotation, and topography. -Surface currents circulate clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and counterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere. Along the east coast of continents, swift, deep, and narrow currents of nutrient-poor water flow away from the equator. Grain Rain is the sixth and last solar term of the 24 solar terms in spring. Grain Rain is the sixth and last solar term of the 24 solar terms in spring.

14. Ocean Currents and Their Effects Along the west coast of continents, slower, shallower, and broader currents of cold water parallel and flow toward the equator. Coastal currents affect coastal climates, with the cold California current causing cool and foggy summers in North America's Pacific Northwest and the warm Gulf Stream causing hot and humid summers in Boston and Baltimore.

15. Ocean Currents and Their Effects Coastal Breezes: Differences in land and water heat absorption create breezes that switch direction between day and night. - Monsoons: Seasonal winds that change direction due to differential heating of land and water. Summer brings rains, while winter brings droughts. - Ocean Proximity: Oceans can moderate climate by providing heat sources that impact temperature. - Mountain Ranges: High mountains can cause rain shadows, leading to arid regions on the leeward side. The Sierra Nevada, Himalayas, Andes, and Rockies all have similar effects. Regional Effects on Climate

16. The Biosphere The El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO)

17. The El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) ENSO is a fluctuation in sea surface temperature and wind patterns in the equatorial Pacific - Two extremes of ENSO Is El Niño and La Niña - El Niño brings warm water toward eastern Pacific coasts, reducing nutrient input and primary productivity, leading to a decline in fish populations - La Niña brings cold nutrient-rich water toward the western coast of South America, increasing phytoplankton and fish populations - ENSO affects weather patterns year-round and worldwide

18. The El Niño Southern Oscillation Effects of ENSO - The 1997-1998 El Niño/La Niña was the most extreme of the past 100 years - During the El Niño, primary productivity declined, causing decreases in fish populations and impacts on wildlife, such as sea lions and fur seals - During La Niña, primary productivity rebounded, leading to recovery of fish populations - ENSO affects rainfall patterns and can cause flooding, landslides, droughts, and wildfires in different regions - ENSO increases the incidence of some human diseases, such as cholera and malaria - NOAA studies and predicts ENSO events to understand and minimize their harmful effects.

19. The Biosphere Biomes

20. Biomes Difference Similarites 1. The type of biome found in an area is primarily determined by its climate. For instance, the tundra biome is characterized by cold and dry conditions, while the tropical rainforest biome is characterized by hot and wet conditions. 2. Biomes are also classified based on the predominant type of vegetation. For example, the desert biome is characterized by sparse vegetation, while the grassland biome is characterized by grasses. 3. Soil properties such as texture, depth, and nutrient content also vary between biomes. For example, grasslands have fertile soil with deep topsoil, while deserts have sandy and nutrient-poor soil. 1. Unrelated species in different parts of the same biome often have similar body structures that arose due to morphological convergence. For instance, cacti in North American deserts and euphorbs in African deserts both have water-storing stems. 2. Biomes with similar climate and vegetation types tend to have similar primary production levels. For example, tropical rainforests and temperate deciduous forests both have high primary production levels . 3. Biome boundaries are often transitional zones where two or more biomes meet. These areas can have a mix of vegetation types and support unique species adapted to the specific conditions of the boundary zone. Biomes are distinct regions characterized by their climate, vegetation, and soil properties. Let's explore some of the differences and similarities between biomes. Differences Between Biomes.

21. Biomes Deserts: - Average rainfall less than 10 cm/year - Cover one-fifth of Earth's land surface - Located at ~30° N and S latitudes - Humidity is low due to lack of water vapor in the air - Intense sunlight heats the ground, resulting in large daily temperature shifts - Soil has little topsoil and can be salty - Chile's Atacama Desert and China's Gobi desert are examples of rain shadows

22. Biomes Adaptations to Desert Life: - Many desert plants have adaptations that reduce water loss - Diversity is highest where soil moisture is available in more than one season - Spines or hairs deter herbivory and reduce evaporation by trapping water and keeping humidity around stomata high - Some plants conserve water by leafing out only after rain and dropping leaves when dry conditions return - Woody desert shrubs have extensive, efficient root systems - CAM plants have alternative carbon-fixing pathways that conserve water - Desert animals have adaptations that allow them to conserve water, such as efficient kidneys and being inactive during the height of daytime heat - Desert crust is a community that can include cyanobacteria, lichens, mosses, and fungi, which secrete organic molecules that glue them and the surrounding soil particles together and benefit members of the larger desert community in important ways.

23. Biomes The Crust Community in Deserts - In many deserts, the soil is covered by a community called desert crust, including cyanobacteria, lichens, mosses, and fungi. - These organisms secrete organic molecules that glue them and the surrounding soil particles together. - The crust benefits the larger desert community in important ways: - Cyanobacteria fix nitrogen and make ammonia available to plants. - The crust holds soil particles in place, preventing soil erosion. - When the fragile connections within the desert crust are broken, soil can blow away, causing negative effects such as: - Heightened disturbance when windblown soil buries healthy crust in an undisturbed area. - Killing additional crust organisms and allowing more soil to take flight.

24. Biomes Grasslands - Located in the interior of continents between deserts and temperate forests. - Soils are deep and rich in nutrients. - Annual rainfall is enough to prevent desert formation, but not enough to support woodlands. - Low-growing grasses and nonwoody plants are adapted to strong winds, sparse rain, and intervals of drought - Growth is seasonal. - Grazers and periodic fires prevent most shrubs from taking hold.

25. Biomes Temperate Prairies - Grasslands between deserts and temperate forests - Warm summers, cold winters, 25 to 100 cm (10 to 40 in) of rainfall throughout the year - Rich, with deep topsoil, held in place by grass roots to prevent erosion - Types: Shortgrass and tallgrass prairies - Shortgrass prairie : Plowed during the Dust Bowl, affected by prolonged drought and unsuitable farming practices - Tallgrass prairie : Has richer topsoil and more frequent rainfall, mostly converted to cropland, preserved in Tallgrass Prairie . National Preserve - Supported huge herds of elk, pronghorn antelope, and bison, now absent from most of their former range

26. Biomes Tropical Savanna - Broad belts of grasslands with few trees and shrubs - Found between tropical forests and hot deserts in Africa, India, and Australia - Warm temperatures year-round - 90-150 cm (35-60 in) of rainfall during rainy season - Home to abundant wildlife, including giraffes, zebras, elephants, antelopes, and wildebeests - Carnivores include lions and hyenas - Grazers are important herbivores in the ecosystem

27. Biomes Dry Shrublands and Woodlands - Dry shrubland is a biome dominated by fire-adapted shrubs, occurring along the western coast of continents between 30 and 40 degrees north or south latitude. - Winters are mild and wet with 10 to 24 inches of rain, while summers are hot and dry. - California's dry shrublands, called chaparral, are the most extensive in the state, along with regions bordering the Mediterranean, Chile, Australia, and South Africa. - Plants in dry shrublands have small, leathery leaves that help them withstand the summer drought and make them highly flammable due to the aromatic oils. - After a fire, many plant species can resprout from their roots or germinate from fire-resistant seeds. - Dry shrublands grade into dry woodlands where a bit more winter rain allows trees to grow, such as California's oak woodlands and eucalyptus woodlands of Australia.

28. Biomes BROADLEAF FORESTS Semi-Evergreen and Deciduous Forests - Semi-evergreen forests occur in the humid tropics of Southeast Asia and India, and include broadleaf (angiosperm) trees that retain leaves year-round and deciduous broadleaf trees. In semi-evergreen forests, deciduous trees shed their leaves at the start of the dry season. - In areas where less than 2.5 centimeters (1 inch) of rain falls in the dry season, tropical deciduous forests form. Most trees in these forests shed their leaves at the start of the dry season. - Temperate deciduous forests form in the Northern Hemisphere in parts of eastern North America, western and central Europe, and parts of Asia, including Japan. In these regions, 50 to 150 centimeters (about 20 to 60 inches) of precipitation falls throughout the year. Winters are cool and summers are warm.

29. Biomes BROADLEAF FORESTS Semi-Evergreen and Deciduous Forests - Growth of temperate deciduous forests is seasonal. Leaves often turn color before dropping in autumn. Winters are cold, and trees remain dormant while water is locked in snow and ice. In the spring, deciduous trees flower and put out new leaves, and leaves that were shed the prior autumn decay to form a rich humus. - Rich soil and a somewhat open canopy that lets sunlight through allow shorter understory plants to flourish. The temperate deciduous forests of North America are the most species-rich examples of this biome. Different tree species characterize different regions of these forests. - Animals in North American deciduous forests include grazing deer and seed-eating squirrels and chipmunks, as well as omnivores such as raccoons, opossums, and black bears. Native predators such as wolves and mountain lions have been largely eliminated from the forests.

30. Biomes Tropical Rain Forests - Evergreen broadleaf trees between latitudes 10° N and S in equatorial Africa, East Indies, Southeast Asia, South America, and Central America. - Annual rainfall of 130-200cm (50-80in) with temperatures of 25°C (77°F). - Most structurally complex and species-rich biome. - Multilayer structure with tall trees forming a closed canopy that blocks most sunlight from reaching the forest floor. - Litter does not accumulate due to fast decomposition and mineral cycling. - Highly weathered, heavily leached, and poor nutrient reservoir soils. - Deforestation is a major threat due to lumber, fuel, and agricultural land demands. - Deforestation reduces the ability of forests to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and causes many extinctions. - Tropical rain forests have the greatest variety and numbers of insects, as well as the most diverse collection of birds and primates. - Many species with potential chemical benefits to human lives will go extinct before discovery.

31. Biomes CONIFEROUS FORESTS - Conifers (evergreen trees with seed-bearing cones) dominate coniferous forests, with needle-shaped leaves and adaptations to conserve water during drought or frozen ground. - Conifers tolerate poor soils and drier habitats better than broadleaf trees. - Coniferous forests occur mainly in the Northern Hemisphere and are the most extensive land biome on Earth. - The boreal forest, or taiga, sweeps across northern Asia, Europe, and North America, with mainly pine, fir, and spruce trees. Moose are dominant grazers. - Montane coniferous forests extend southward through great mountain ranges, with spruce and fir dominating at higher elevations and firs and pines at lower elevations. - Conifers also dominate temperate lowlands along the Pacific coast from Alaska into northern California, including the world's tallest trees-Sitka spruce and coast redwoods. - Other conifer-dominated ecosystems exist in the eastern United States, such as the pine barrens of New Jersey and the pine forests covering about one-third of the Southeast, dominated by fast-growing loblolly pines

32. Biomes TUNDRA -Arctic Tundra - Located between polar ice and boreal forests - Earth's youngest biome, appeared 10,000 years ago - Harsh conditions, snow for up to 9 months/year - Short summer, lichens and low-growing plants are producers - Home to voles, arctic hares, caribou, arctic foxes, wolves, and brown bears - Large numbers of migratory birds nest here in summer. - Melting permafrost (500m thick layer of frozen soil) due to global warming - Permafrost acts as a barrier that prevents drainage, so the soil above it remains waterlogged - Organic matter in permafrost makes arctic tundra one of Earth's greatest stores of carbon

33. Biomes TUNDRA -Alpine Tundra - High-altitude biome found throughout the world - Soil is well-drained but thin and nutrient-poor - Primary productivity is low - Grasses and small-leafed woody shrubs grow in patches - Trees are discouraged due to strong winds.

34. Biomes FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS -A lake is a standing body of fresh water with different zones that vary in physical characteristics and species composition. - Near shore is the littoral zone where sunlight penetrates to the bottom, and aquatic plants and algae are primary producers. - Open waters include: - The well-lit limnetic zone where primary producers include aquatic plants, green algae, diatoms, and cyanobacteria. Zooplankton feed on these. - The dark profundal zone where light does not penetrate. Consumers feed on organic debris that drifts down from above .

35. Biomes FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS - Nutrient Content and Succession - A lake changes over time through succession. - A newly formed lake is oligotrophic (deep, clear, and nutrient-poor), while an older lake becomes eutrophic (nutrient-rich). - Eutrophication refers to the natural or artificial enrichment of a body of water with nutrients.

36. Biomes FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS - Seasonal Changes - In temperate zone lakes, seasonal changes occur. - In winter, a layer of ice forms at the surface of the lake. - In spring, ice melts and warmer water sinks. - In summer, the lake forms three layers: a warm and oxygen-rich top layer, a thin thermocline, and a cooler bottom layer. - In autumn, the upper layer cools and sinks, and the thermocline disappears. - Overturns influence primary productivity; spring overturn supports the greatest primary productivity, while nutrient shortages limit growth in late summer.

37. Biomes FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS - Streams and Rivers - Streams begin as freshwater springs or seeps and grow as they flow downslope, eventually merging to form rivers - Flow volume and temperature are affected by rainfall, snowmelt, geography, altitude, and plant shade - Different parts of a stream or river have varying properties, such as solute concentrations, oxygen content, and temperature - Streambed composition can affect solute concentrations, such as when limestone rocks dissolve and add calcium - Rapidly flowing water over rocks holds more oxygen than slower-moving, deeper water, and cold water holds more oxygen than warm water - Different species with varying oxygen needs can be found in different parts of a stream or river

38. Biomes COASTAL ECOSYSTEMS: ESTUARIES - An estuary is a partly enclosed body of water where fresh water from a river or rivers mixes with seawater. - Examples of estuaries include San Francisco Bay, Lake Pontchartrain, Boston harbor, and the Chesapeake Bay. - Estuaries are highly productive due to nutrients from upstream and the formation of mudflats. - Spartina, the dominant plant in many estuaries, is adapted to withstand immersion during high tides and tolerate salty, waterlogged, anaerobic soil. - Mangrove wetlands are also found in tropical and subtropical estuaries and support salt-tolerant woody plants. - Estuaries provide ecological services, such as slowing river flow and serving as nurseries for marine species. - Human activities, such as pollution and conversion of mangrove wetlands to shrimp farms, threaten estuary ecosystems.

39. Biomes Rocky and Sandy Coastlines Rocky and sandy coastlines support ecosystems of the intertidal zone. The littoral zone can be divided into three vertical regions that differ in their physical characteristics and diversity. The upper littoral zone receives ocean spray and is submerged only during the highest of high tides. It gets the most sun, but holds the fewest species. The midlittoral zone is typically covered by water during an average high tide and dry during a low tide. The lower littoral zone, exposed only during the lowest tide of the lunar cycle, has the most diversity. On rocky shores, barnacles live in the midlittoral zone and algae clinging to rocks are primary producers for the prevailing grazing food web. On sandy shores, detrital food chains start with material washed ashore and some crustaceans eat detritus in the upper littoral zone while other invertebrates feed as they burrow through the sand.

40. Biomes Coral Reefs - Coral reefs are formations of calcium carbonate secreted by generations of coral polyps in shallow, clear, warm waters between latitudes 25° north and 25° south. - About 75% of coral reefs are in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, and they are home to a huge number of species, with estimates suggesting that 25% of all marine fish species are associated with coral reefs. - The Great Barrier Reef is the largest existing reef, about 600,000 years old, and supports about 500 coral species, 3000 fish species, 1000 kinds of mollusks, and 40 kinds of sea snakes. - Photosynthetic dinoflagellates live as mutualistic symbionts inside the tissues of all reef-building corals, providing them with oxygen and sugars. Coral bleaching occurs when coral polyps expel the dinoflagellates, usually due to stress caused by rising sea temperatures and sea level.

41. Biomes Coral Reefs - Reefs are threatened by human activities such as discharging sewage and other pollutants, causing erosion that clouds water with sediments, destructive fishing practices, and invasive species. - The Indo-Pacific region, the global center for reef diversity, lost about 3,000 square kilometers (1,160 square miles) of living coral reef each year between 1997 and 2003, and reef biodiversity is in danger around

42. CRITICAL THINKING Grain Rain 1. London, England, is at the same latitude as Calgary in Canada's province of Alberta. However, the mean January temperature in London is 5.5°C (42°F), whereas in Calgary it is minus 10°C (14°F). Compare the locations of these two cities and suggest a reason for this temperature difference. 2. Increased industrialization in China has environmentalists worried about air quality elsewhere. Are air pollutants emitted in Beijing more likely to end up in eastern Europe or the western United States? Why? 3. The use of off-road recreational vehicles may double in the next twenty years. Enthusiasts would like increased access to government-owned deserts. Some argue that it's the perfect place for off-roaders because "There's nothing there." Explain whether you agree, and why.

43. THANK YOU