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

What is the main cell organelle involved in cell digestion, What is the mai...

What is the main cell organelle involved in cell digestion? What are the properties of that organelle that enable it to do the task? The organelles responsible for intracellula

What are the main interspecific ecological interactions, What are the main ...

What are the main interspecific ecological interactions? The major harmonious interspecific ecological interactions are: protocooperation, mutualism and commensalism. The major

What are the disadvantages of mucoperiosteal flap, What are the Disadvantag...

What are the Disadvantages of mucoperiosteal flap More traumatic - flap is raised  Sutures are required and the next procedure of impression is delayed till afterthe suture

Explain enzyme inhibition, ENZYME INHIBITION Enzymes are often inhibite...

ENZYME INHIBITION Enzymes are often inhibited by  the presence of  suitable inhibitors. Much of current drug therapy  is based  on this. Basically, there  are  three major  cla

Keel, keel is the characteristic feature of flower of 1.tomato 2. tulip 3.u...

keel is the characteristic feature of flower of 1.tomato 2. tulip 3.ubdugifera 4.aloe

Fdas post marketing surveillance system works, Problem 1: How does the ...

Problem 1: How does the FDA's post marketing surveillance system works? Show FDA's post marketing surveillance system Explain about Adverse Event reporting system and

Bacterial diseases-anthrax, Anthrax Synonym              :    Wool sor...

Anthrax Synonym              :    Wool sorter’s disease Species affected    :    Cattle, sheep, goats, pig, horse and majority of the mammals. Fowls are resistant to anthr

Explain alginate, Alginate Alginates are produced by brown seaweeds (Ph...

Alginate Alginates are produced by brown seaweeds (Phaeophyceae, mainly  Laminaria).  Alginates or algin, is a generic term for the salts and derivatives of alginic acid. Algin

Describe how platelets interact to form a blood clot, Describe briefly how...

Describe briefly how platelets, fibrin and red cells interact to form a blood clot.   Platelets release a substance which, indirectly, causes fibrinogen to be changed to fi

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