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

Invertebrete zoology, give an example invertebrate phylum/phyla for protopl...

give an example invertebrate phylum/phyla for protoplasmic grade organization

Determine the treatment modalities of cis therapy, The protocol includes fo...

The protocol includes four treatment modalities: A = Mechanical Debridement In this the patients are re-instructed in oral hygiene and motivated to initiate and continue m

Short note on glycogen storage diseases, Write short note on glycogen stora...

Write short note on glycogen storage diseases. Glycogen storage diseases are caused by genetic defects  that  result in deficiencies in certain enzymes of glycogen metabolism.

Reproduction, site of fertilistion in human

site of fertilistion in human

Prevention from infective endocarditis, Prevention of endocardial infection...

Prevention of endocardial infection by the use of antimicrobial agents, although desirable, is not always possible. By identifying the patients at  risk, the causative bacteria and

What are allele frequencies, You observe the following numbers of individua...

You observe the following numbers of individuals of each genotype in a population. AA=700, Aa=200, aa=100. What are the observed genotype frequencies in this population? What are t

What is coronary bypass graft, Q. What is coronary bypass graft? The Co...

Q. What is coronary bypass graft? The Coronary artery bypass graft is a kind of surgical myocardial revascularization that is a way to provide blood to a myocardium whose blood

Define recommended dietary allowance for riboflavin (rda), Define Recommend...

Define Recommended Dietary Allowance for riboflavin (RDA)? Several nutritional and physiological factors govern riboflavin requirements. Negative nitrogen balance reduces rib

Define the process of dough formation, Define the process of Dough Formatio...

Define the process of Dough Formation? You already know that gluten is the protein found in wheat. A unique property of gluten proteins of wheat grain endosperm (and to a lesse

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