Latitudinal variations, Biology

Assignment Help:

Latitudinal Variations

The latitudinal variation of temperature over the earth is the result of two main variables

  • incoming solar radiation and
  • the distribution of land and water masses

 

What do you think could be the other factors influencing temperature?

The movement of wind and water, and the direction of slopes of hills and mountains also modify the temperature.

We know that the length of the day varies at higher latitudes. That means the incoming solar radiation varies. However, if we compute the average, every point on the earth gets the same total hours of daylight each year, an average of 12 hours per day, but not the same amount of heat. The latter depends upbn the amount of radiant energy delivered/unit area/hr and this depends upon the angle of landing sunlight. You have learnt in the previous section that vertical beams afe more intense than the oblique beams that land on the higher latitudes. Hence we find a gradual decrease in the amount of incident radiant energytunit area along the increasing latitudes, horizontally.

On the basis of temperature variation three distinct heat zones can be distinguished in each hemisphere (Figure shown below). The hot torrid zones are near the equator. moderate or temperate zones are in the middle, the cold zones are at the poles. Each zone is characterised by typical plants and animal populations found in the area.

1963_heat zones.jpg


Related Discussions:- Latitudinal variations

Gastrulation process - formation of primitive streak, Gastrulation Process ...

Gastrulation Process - Formation of Primitive Streak Gastrulation in all amniotes involving eutherian mammals is related to a characteristic structure termed as the primitive

Removal of a patient''s peripheral intravenous catheter, Removal of a patie...

Removal of a patient's peripheral intravenous catheter resulted in brief bleeding and the loss of a small amount of blood. Which of the following processes occurred during the form

What is the life cycle type of bryophytes, Q. What is the life cycle type o...

Q. What is the life cycle type of bryophytes? As in all plants the life cycle of bryophytes is diplobiontic (alternation of generations) and in bryophytes the lasting form is t

Define importance of nutrient and drug interaction, Define Importance of Nu...

Define Importance of Nutrient and Drug Interaction? Certain foods, beverages, alcohol, caffeine, and even cigarettes can interact with medicines. This may make them less effect

Human reproduction, Describe the events which lead to the formation of (a) ...

Describe the events which lead to the formation of (a) identical twins, (b) fraternal twins in detail

Disease, what is the differnce between syndrome and symptom?

what is the differnce between syndrome and symptom?

Explain thalamus and hypothalamus, Q. Explain Thalamus and Hypothalamus ? ...

Q. Explain Thalamus and Hypothalamus ? Thalamus and Hypothalamus: The thalamus is situated in the forebrain at the uppermost part of the diencephalon (posterior part of the for

Precautions for estimation of sucrose by fehling soxhlet, Explain Precautio...

Explain Precautions for Estimation of Sucrose by Fehling Soxhlet Method? 1. Maintain proper temperature of the water bath for complete hydrolysis. 2. Add distilled water to

Stress testing after myocardial infraction, Q. Stress Testing after Myocard...

Q. Stress Testing after Myocardial Infraction? Many post infarction deaths are sudden and occur with in the first 6 months after infarction. Exercise testing from 10 days to we

Maintenance therapy for leukemia, Maintenance Therapy A complete remis...

Maintenance Therapy A complete remission implies a clinical, haematological and bone marrow remission.  For remission therapy drugs like, methotrexate cyclophospharnide and 6-

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd