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

Quality control of feedstuffs, Quality control of feedstuffs Quality co...

Quality control of feedstuffs Quality control is essential at all stages in the production of compound feed so that animals could get wholesome balanced and nutritious feed. Th

Male reproductive system - penis, PENIS - Intromittent organ. Erecti...

PENIS - Intromittent organ. Erectile, its apex is penis glanse. Covered by prepuce (part of skin). Main function is insemination (To transfer sperms in vagina in deep).

Living beings are made of inorganic and organic substances, Q. Living being...

Q. Living beings are made of inorganic and organic substances. According to the molecular complexity how can each of those substances be classified? Inorganic substances, mole

Explain the nutrient composition of different milk, Explain the Nutrient co...

Explain the Nutrient composition of different milk? Sometimes exclusive breast-feeding cannot be sustained. Working mothers join their duty in the fourth month and exclusively

How many cells are in the human body, How many cells are in the human body?...

How many cells are in the human body? According to "The Handy Science Answer Book" noted by the Science and Technology Department of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh (1994) th

What characteristics of fatty acids are false, What characteristics of fatt...

What characteristics of fatty acids are false? (Dissolves in water, used for energy storage, used to build lipids, found in triglycerides, found in steroids)?

Why is the cytoplasm of sperm cells very reduced, Why is the cytoplasm of s...

Why is the cytoplasm of sperm cells very reduced? Why do mitochondria of sperm cells concentrate in the base of the flagellum ? The decreased cytoplasm of sperm cells reduces th

Properties of receptors, Properties of Receptors The receptors collect...

Properties of Receptors The receptors collect information concerning the change in the environment such as temperature, illumination etc. In lower animals, sensory perception

Anthropodes, advantages of cuticle of anthropodes

advantages of cuticle of anthropodes

Applications of closed heart surgery, Applications :  The first operation ...

Applications :  The first operation conducted was ligation of a patent ductus arteriosus through a left thoracotomy. Same approach is used for repair of coarctation of the aorta,

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