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

Stage of total biological inactivity, Q. Is the stage when an insect larva ...

Q. Is the stage when an insect larva is within a cocoon a stage of total biological inactivity? The period when the larva is inside its cocoon is a time of intense biological a

What is defective colour vision, What is Defective Colour Vision Defect...

What is Defective Colour Vision Defective colour vision is often called colour blindness. The ability to appreciate one or more of the primary colours is lacking. This can be e

Types of bone, TYPE S OF BONE - On the basis of its texture , a bone ...

TYPE S OF BONE - On the basis of its texture , a bone is of two types - Spongy or cancellous or tubercular bone and Compact or periosteal or dense bone.

Kingdom protista, how many phylum does kingdom protista has?

how many phylum does kingdom protista has?

Subcutaneous nodules, These are found in about 3-6 per cent of cases of ARF...

These are found in about 3-6 per cent of cases of ARF. These nodules are typically subcutaneous, firm, painless, freely movable (0.5-2 cm size) and their presence indicates that t

Proteins, what is proteins?properties of protein

what is proteins?properties of protein

Explain the analysis of food samples, Explain the Analysis of Food Samples?...

Explain the Analysis of Food Samples? Now, in this practical, we shall deal with the endogenous and exogeneous microorganisms which are present on the food as contaminants. We

Starch can be used by the germinating seed, Starch is one of the most commo...

Starch is one of the most common storage products in seeds. What happens to the starch before it can be used by the germinating seed? Starch is insoluble and has to be changed,

Modalities available for sterilization, Modalities Available for Sterilizat...

Modalities Available for Sterilization The most accepted methods of sterilization can be classified as follows: Physical Agents: These comprise of: Sunlight Drying

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