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

Electrodialysis, This method is used for the desalination of water i.e., fo...

This method is used for the desalination of water i.e., for the removal of dissolved mineral salts, acids, alkalis and also the radioactive substances from the effluents. Electro d

Define chagas and arrhythmogenic right vent cardiomyopathy, Chagas' Cardiom...

Chagas' Cardiomyopathy It is common in south and Central America and is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi. Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC) It is mark

Explain about the physiology of eyelid movements, Explain about the physiol...

Explain about the physiology of eyelid movements. Physiology of Eyelid Movements: It is quoted that the eyelids move more than any other part of the body. The major movem

Animal diversity, why obelia is of special interest in zoology

why obelia is of special interest in zoology

Coniferous forest - ecosystem, Coniferous forest - Ecosystem Cold regi...

Coniferous forest - Ecosystem Cold regions with high rainfall and strongly seasonal climates with long winters and fairly short summers are characterised by boreal coniferous

Infectious bursal disease, I nfe c tio u s bursal disease Infectio...

I nfe c tio u s bursal disease Infectious bursal disease (popularly known as Gumboro disease) is an acute contagious disease of young chicks caused by an RNA virus, a memb

Consequences on the bony structures, Q. Consequences on the bony structures...

Q. Consequences on the bony structures? Basal bone forms the dental skeletal structure. Wolff's law states that the bone remodels in relationship to the forces applied. With a

Explain about glycemic index, Q. Explain about Glycemic Index? Although...

Q. Explain about Glycemic Index? Although the use of exchange lists is still popular for planning diabetic diets, it has been realized in recent years that in exchange lists th

What is the intermediate host of schistosoma mansoni, Q. What is the interm...

Q. What is the intermediate host of Schistosoma mansoni? Where does that host live? The intermediate host of a schistosome is a gastropod mollusc, Biomphalaria genus and a snai

Describe the symptoms of edema, Describe the clinical significance and symp...

Describe the clinical significance and symptoms of edema. How does edema (in its different forms listed in your text) appear on medical imaging examinations? Discuss any specific c

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