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

Coronal disassembly, Coronal disassembly - Coronal restoration in the ...

Coronal disassembly - Coronal restoration in the retreatment phase called coronal deassembling or disassemblying. - Coronal deassembling means removal of coronal and radi

Describe the typical composition of a virus, The human immune system has de...

The human immune system has developed diverse, coordinated methods of resisting and destroying viruses. a.  Describe the typical composition of a virus. Why are viruses not clas

Plasmotomy, draw a well labled diagram of plasmotomy

draw a well labled diagram of plasmotomy

Explain increases-decreases or shifts in demand terminology, Explain about ...

Explain about the increases or decreases or shifts in demand terminology. Market into equilibrium P 1 Q 1 , here demand D 1 equals supply S 1 • When price reduce fromP 1

Can serotonin used in consciousness, Q. Can Serotonin used in consciousness...

Q. Can Serotonin used in consciousness? Serotonin complements the action of noradrenalin and acetylcholine in promoting wakefulness and cortical responsiveness. Experiments pro

Respiration in insect - cockroach, RESPIR A TIO N IN INSECT (COCKROACH) ...

RESPIR A TIO N IN INSECT (COCKROACH) - Respiration is direct. So metabolic rate is high. This system is related to each cell of the body so respiratory pigment is ab

Define nutritive aspects of food constituents, Define Nutritive aspects of ...

Define Nutritive aspects of food constituents and effect of processing and handling? Nutrient stability; effects on nutrients of agricultural practices, handling, processing an

Dietary guidelines fur hyperlipidemic patients, Q. Dietary Guidelines fur h...

Q. Dietary Guidelines fur hyperlipidemic patients? • Calories: to maintain ideal body weight. • Carbohydrates should constitute 55-65% of calories with emphasis on • polysacc

What is st depression with long diastolic filling, Q. What is ST Depression...

Q. What is ST Depression with Long Diastolic Filling? For the person with a slow heart rate and a long period of a diastole after a premature ventricular contraction, the next

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