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

Joints, JOINTS - The structural arrangement of tissues which connect 2 ...

JOINTS - The structural arrangement of tissues which connect 2 or more bones together at their place of meeting is called a joint. Study of joint is arthrology. Joint make the

What is intercellular communication explain briefly, What is Intercellular ...

What is Intercellular Communication explain briefly? Both plant and animal cells have developed means of communication between cells. In animals, specialized areas of the cell

Endomitosis, why and where endomitosis happen.........?

why and where endomitosis happen.........?

The formation of macro and micronuclei of daughter paramoeci, The formation...

The formation of macro and micronuclei of daughter paramoeci: Each exconjugant has a single micronucleus and four macronuclei. This type of exconjugant divides twice and f

Coelenterata, give outline classification of coelenterata

give outline classification of coelenterata

Avian tuberculosis, A v i a n tuberculosis Tuberculosis in poultry ...

A v i a n tuberculosis Tuberculosis in poultry has not remained a big threat in list of diseases due to commercialization of poultry business. It is a contagious chronic di

Define the concept of food security, Define the Understanding the Concept o...

Define the Understanding the Concept of Food Security? Food security may be defined as a physical and economic access by all people, at all times, to sufficient food to meet th

Explain fats, Explain Fats Fats: As you are already aware,  fats are ...

Explain Fats Fats: As you are already aware,  fats are reservoir  of  calories. In  addition  to carbohydrates,  fats can  also be  an important  source of  needed calories.

Ground water sources and characteristics, After glaciers, ice caps and snow...

After glaciers, ice caps and snowfields, ground water is the next largest fresh water reservoir. Precipitation that does not evaporate back into the air and does not run off over t

What do you meant by medical transcriptionist, Question 1: Describe the...

Question 1: Describe the process of hearing. The ear consists of three basic parts - the outer ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear. Discuss the process of hearing

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