Chapter 2 Outline
Case Study: Climatic Variation and Salmon
Climate
CONCEPT 2.1 Climate is the most fundamental characteristic of the physical environment.
- Climate controls where and how organisms live
- Global energy balance drives the climate system
Atmospheric and Oceanic Circulation
CONCEPT 2.2 Winds and ocean currents result from differences in solar radiation across the surface of Earth.
- Atmospheric circulation cells are established in regular latitudinal patterns
- Atmospheric circulation cells create surface wind patterns
- Ocean currents are driven by surface winds
Global Climatic Patterns
CONCEPT 2.3 Large-scale atmospheric and oceanic circulation patterns establish global patterns of temperature and precipitation.
- Oceanic circulation and the distribution and topography of continents influence global temperatures
- Patterns of atmospheric pressure and topography influence precipitation
Regional Climatic Influences
CONCEPT 2.4 Regional climates reflect the influence of the distribution of oceans and continents, elevation, and vegetation.
- Proximity to oceans influences regional climates
- Mountains influence wind patterns and gradients in temperature and precipitation
- Vegetation affects climate via surface energy exchange
Climatic Variation over Time
CONCEPT 2.5 Seasonal and long-term climatic variation are associated with changes in Earth’s position relative to the sun.
- Seasonality results from the annual orbit of Earth around the sun
- Seasonal changes in aquatic environments are associated with changes in water temperature and density
- Climatic variation over years and decades results from changes in atmospheric pressure cells
- Long-term climate change is associated with variation in Earth’s orbital path
The Chemical Environment
CONCEPT 2.6 Salinity, acidity, and oxygen concentrations are major determinants of the chemical environment.
- All waters contain dissolved salts
- Organisms are sensitive to the acidity of their environment
- Oxygen concentrations vary with elevation, consumption, and diffusion
Case Study Revisited: Climatic Variation and Salmon
Connections in Nature: Climatic Variation and Ecology
