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 are the main purpose of changes in life style, What are The main purp...

What are The main purpose  of changes in life style The main purpose  of changes in life style are to: - control blood sugar. - maintain the body weight of the patients.

Hypertension, Define hypertension, discuss its causes and explain its effec...

Define hypertension, discuss its causes and explain its effects on the body. What role, if any, does medical imaging play in hypertensive patients? Explain and give examples.

Zoology , character & classfication of phylum analys

character & classfication of phylum analys

How dissimilar are intracellular and extracellular digestion, How dissimila...

How dissimilar are intracellular and extracellular digestion? What is the evolutionary benefit of extracellular digestion? Intracellular digestion is that in which the breaking

Seating the abutment, Q. Show the Seating the abutment? The clinician w...

Q. Show the Seating the abutment? The clinician will need to ensure that the abutment is completely seated.A radiograph may be required to confirm complete seating. Abutments u

Basis of classification on form-relationship principle, Q. Basis of Classif...

Q. Basis of Classification on Form-relationship principle? As pointed out earlier, this system is mainly based on Form-relationship principle. thus the various genera were. g

Describe the concept of soil testing, Describe the concept of soil testing ...

Describe the concept of soil testing Different grades of complex and mixed fertilizers are being marketed to suit the soil and crops of a region. The recommendations are made o

Define the intradermal dye test, Define the Intradermal Dye Test? The r...

Define the Intradermal Dye Test? The rate of decolouration of a small quantity of the dye, 2, 6- dichlorophenol injected intradermaly is an index of the ascorbic acid nutrition

What is tubal pregnancy, What is tubal pregnancy? Many times fecundatio...

What is tubal pregnancy? Many times fecundation takes place in the Fallopian tubes. Usually the newly formed zygote is taken to the uterus where nidation and the embryonic deve

Obelia, why is obelia considered to of special interest in Zoology as an an...

why is obelia considered to of special interest in Zoology as an animal showing an intermediate grade of organisation?

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