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

Conditions necessary for outbreak of botulism, Q. Conditions Necessary for ...

Q. Conditions Necessary for outbreak of botulism? The following conditions are necessary for an outbreak of botulism: 1. Presence of spores of C. botulinum of type A, B o

Explain expansion in red cells during pregnancy, Explain expansion in Red C...

Explain expansion in Red Cells during pregnancy? Production of red cells is stimulated and their numbers gradually rise.  However, as compared to the expansion in plasma volume

Endocrine system, INTRODUCTIO N - Endocrinolog y - Study of endocri...

INTRODUCTIO N - Endocrinolog y - Study of endocrine glands, hormones and their effects. Thomas Addison - Father of endocrinology. Described hormonal disease in 1855 kn

Human eye, by our eyes we can see the beautiful world but is there anything...

by our eyes we can see the beautiful world but is there anything in our eyes which makes it beauiful??

Describe the formation of fibrous tissue where it not exist, Which of the b...

Which of the below terms is used to describe the formation of fibrous tissue where it generally does not exist? Is it: a) Fibrosis b) Fibrogenesis c) Fibrositis d) Non

Locomotion in mollusca, Locomotion in Mollusca The major locomotor or...

Locomotion in Mollusca The major locomotor organ in Mollusca is the foot, which is a characteristic feature of these animals. In its simplest form the foot is a flit ventral

Point out research findings related to cancer prevention, Point out Researc...

Point out Research Findings Related to Cancer Prevention? In this section we shall discuss some of the research findings related to cancer prevention. Many of the natural, canc

What is the type of digestive system present in beings, What is the type of...

What is the type of digestive system present in beings of the phylum Arthropoda? Are these animals protostomes or deuterostomes? The digestive tube of arthropods is complete, h

How many tablets the nurse give him, Mr. Jones' hypertension has not respon...

Mr. Jones' hypertension has not responded adequately to previous dosage of Lozol. His order is now Lozol 5 mg PO q am. Available is Lozol (indapamide) 1.25 mg scored tablets. How m

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