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

Algal or planktonic fish poisonings, Algal or Planktonic Fish Poisonings: F...

Algal or Planktonic Fish Poisonings: Fish poisoning can result from the ingestion of fish or shellfish that have fed upon algae toxic to human beings. Paralytic shellfish poisoning

What were coopers views on nature, What were coopers views on nature (parti...

What were coopers views on nature (particularly in regard to human progress and resource use)? And Is there any thought about rights of nature or conservation of resources in her w

Arthropods - regeneration in invertebrates, Arthropods - Regeneration in In...

Arthropods - Regeneration in Invertebrates Among arthropods like insects, crustaceans, centipedes, scorpions and spiders, the capability of regeneration is low or not present.

List some differences between a bacteria and a virus, Question 1: (a) L...

Question 1: (a) List some differences between a bacteria and a virus? (b) Define‘Swine Flu'. List the main types of ‘Swine Flu' viruses? (c) Describe the preventive measures

Phototheraphy and exchange transfusion, PHOTOTHERAPHY AND EXCHANGE TRANSFUS...

PHOTOTHERAPHY AND EXCHANGE TRANSFUSION: This section will enable you to acquire skills related to phototherapy and exchange transfusion. You will also review the indication

Vegetative Development - Differentiation, Vegetative Development - Differen...

Vegetative Development - Differentiation It is referred to as qualitative changes that lead to increased specialisation. For example, the formation of cells and tissues of roo

A common biocontrol agent for the control of plant diseases, A common bioco...

A common biocontrol agent for the control of plant diseases is : 1. Baculovirus 2. Bacillus thuringiensis 3. Glomus 4. Trichoderma Trichoderma

Assisting in procedure of biopsy, ASSISTING IN PROCEDURE OF BIOPSY Bio...

ASSISTING IN PROCEDURE OF BIOPSY Biopsies are removal of a small piece of tissue for examination under microscope. Such examinations are called hist to pathological examina

Define absorption, Define Absorption, Storage and Elimination of niacin? ...

Define Absorption, Storage and Elimination of niacin? Nicotinic acid and nicotinamide are rapidly absorbed from the intestine rather than the stomach. At low concentrations, a

Implantable cardioverter defibrillator, Patients with aborted sudden death,...

Patients with aborted sudden death, hemodynamically unstable ventricular arrhythmias, and unexplained cardiogenic syncope are at high risk for fatal ventricular arrhythmias. If the

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