Biology 2483A Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Atmospheric Circulation, Tibetan Plateau, Ocean Current

• School: Western University
• Department: Biology
• Course: Biology 2483A
• Professor: Graham Taylorand Sheila Macfie

Document Summary

Atmospheric and oceanic circulation patterns establish global patterns of temperature and precipitation. Regional climates are influenced by mountains, oceans and vegetation. Climate is a fundamental component of the physical environment. We"re seei(cid:374)g cli(cid:373)ate cha(cid:374)gi(cid:374)g i(cid:374) a shorter period tha(cid:374) usual (cid:449)hich is (cid:449)hy (cid:449)e"re co(cid:374)cer(cid:374)ed: (cid:1005)(cid:1004) year or (cid:1006)(cid:1004) year a(cid:448)erage a) Earth is heated by the sun, incoming solar radiation. About half of the solar energy is absorbed by earth. Solar intensity is more intense at the equator. Surface versus deep ocean temperatures (the great ocean conveyor belt) Red are surface currents, blue are the deep ocean currents. Transfers about 40% of the heat from the tropics to the polar regions solar intensity is highest around the equator and 40% is dissipated to the poles being carried in the ocean currents. Seaso(cid:374)al (cid:448)ariatio(cid:374) refle(cid:272)ted (cid:271)y (cid:449)hether or (cid:374)ot (cid:449)e"re talki(cid:374)g a(cid:271)out la(cid:374)d (cid:448)s (cid:449)ater.