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

Ecology, Ecology Very often a word has a precise well-defined meaning i...

Ecology Very often a word has a precise well-defined meaning in scientific literature but is loosely used in everyday language. It is, therefore, necessary for you to be clear

Explain secretion of parathormone and calcium blood level, What is the rela...

What is the relation between secretion of parathormone and the calcium blood level? The parathormone enhances the calcium blood level as it stimulates the resorption (remodelat

How long is the incubation period of the hiv, How long is the incubation pe...

How long is the incubation period of the HIV? What is meant by acute AIDS? The incubation period of the HIV (the time interval among the infection and the beginning of the immu

What is meant by concentration gradient, What is meant by concentration gra...

What is meant by concentration gradient? Is it correct to refer to "concentration gradient of water"? Concentration gradient is the difference of concentration of a substance

What are non-threshold approaches, Non-threshold  approaches For  gene...

Non-threshold  approaches For  genetic carcinogenes, the  "NOEL-safety factor"  approach  is generally  not considered a suitable method for setting the acceptable intake level

Explain biochemical mediators of calcium metabolism, Explain biochemical me...

Explain biochemical mediators of calcium metabolism Bone physiology is controlled by an interaction of mechanical and metabolic factors. Under physiologic circumstances, bone

What its population growth rate, A population has 350 births per 1000 indiv...

A population has 350 births per 1000 individuals and 320 deaths per 1000 individuals. 1. what its population growth rate? 2. Intrinsic rate of increase? 3. Doubling time? 4. Derive

Mutation theory, MUTATION THEORY (Hugo de Vries 1901) - New species ...

MUTATION THEORY (Hugo de Vries 1901) - New species are not formed by continuous variations but sudden appearance of variations i.e., mutation. Mutation are heritable and per

Define how the sticky ends are formed and get joined, a) A recombinant DNA ...

a) A recombinant DNA is formed when sticky ends of vector DNA and foreign DNA join. b) Define how the sticky ends are formed and get joined.

What is machined implant, What is Machined implant Machined implant ha...

What is Machined implant Machined implant has irregular surface roughness from approximately 10μm grooves and ridges in the machining direction. The roughness of implants can

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