Climate
The average weather that occurs in a given region over a long period of time.
Troposphere
A layer of the atmosphere closest to the surface of Earth, extending up to approximently 16 km (10 miles) and containing most of the atmosphere's nitrogen, oxygen, and water vapor.
stratosphere
The layer of the atmosphere above the troposphere, extending roughly 16 to 50 km (10-31 miles) above the surface of the Earth.
Albedo
The percentage of incoming sunlight reflected from a surface.
Saturation Point
The maximum amount of water vapor in the air at a given temperature.
Adiabatic Cooling
The cooling effect of reduced pressure on air as it rises higher in the atmosphere and expands.
Adiabatic Heating
The heating affect of increased pressure on air as it sinks toward the surface of Earth and decreases the volume.
Latent Heat Release
The release of energy when water vapor in the atmosphere condenses into liquid water.
Hadley Cells
A convection current in the atmosphere that cycles between the equator and 30 degrees North and 30 degrees South.
Intertropical Convergences Zone
An area of Earth that recieves the most intense sunlight; where the ascending branches of the two Hadley Cells converge.
Polar Cells
A convection cell in the atmosphere, formed by air that rises at 60 degrees North and 60 degrees South and sinks at the poles, 90 degrees North and 90 degrees South.
Coriolis Effect
The deflection of an object's path due to the rotation of the Earth.
Gyres
A large-scale pattern of water circulation that moves clockwise in the Norther Hemosphere and counterclockwise in the Southern Hemosphere.
El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO)
The periodic changes in winds and ocean currents, causing cooler and wetter conditions in the southeastern United States and usually dry weather in southern Africa and Southwest Asia.
Upwelling
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Rain Shadow
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Thermohaline Circulation
An oceanic circulation pattern that drives the mixing of surface water and deep water.
Biomass
The total mass of all living matter in a specific area.
Tundra
A cold and treeless biome with low-growing vegetation.
Permafrost
An impermeable, permanatly frozen layer of soil.
Boreal Forest
A forest made up of coniferous evergreen trees that can tolerate cold winters and short growing seasons.
Temperature Rainforest
A coastal biome typified by moderate temperatures and high precipitation.
Temperate Seasonal Forest
A biome with warmer summers and colder withers that temperate rainforests and dominated by deciduous trees.
Woodland
A biome characterized by hot, dry summers, and mild, rainy winters.
shrubland
A biome characterized by hot, dry summers, and mild, rainy winters.
Temperate Grassland
A biome characterized by cold, harsh winters, and hot, dry summers.
Cold Dessert
A biome characterized by cold, harsh winters, and hot, dry summers.
Tropical Rainforest
A warm and wet biome found between 20 degrees North adn 20 degrees South of the equator, with little seasonal temperature variation and high precipitation
Tropical Seasonal Forest
A biome marked by warm temperatures and distinct wet and dry seasons.
Savanna
A biome marked by warm temperatures and distinct wet and dry seasons.
Subtropical Desert
A biome prevailing at approximeately 30 degrees North and 30 degrees South, with hot temperatures, extremely dry conditions, and sparse vegetation.
Littoral Zone
The shallow zone of soil and water in lakesand ponds where most algea and emergent plants grow.
Limnetic Zone
A zone of open water in lakes or ponds.
Phytoplankton
Floating algea.
Profundal Zone
A region of water where sunlight does not reach, below the limnetic zone in very deep lakes.
Freshwater Wetland
An aquatic biome that is submerged or saturated by water for atleastpart of each year, but shallow enough to support emergent vegetation.
Mangrove Swamps
A swamp that occurs along tropical and subtropical coasts, and contains salt-tolerent trees with roots submerged in water.
Intertidal Zone
The narrow band of coastline between the levels of high tide and low tide.
Coral Reefs
The most diverse marine biome on Earth, found in warm, shallow waters beyond the shore line.
Coral Bleaching
A phenomenon in which algea inside corals die, causing the corals to turn white.
Photic Zone
The upper layer of water in the ocean that recieves enough sunlight for photosynthesis.
Aphotic Zone
The layer of ocean water that lacks sufficient sunlight for photosynthesis.
Chemosynthesis
A process used by some bacteria in the ocean to generate energy with methane and hydrogen sulfide.