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

What is implant failure, What is Implant Failure The total failure of t...

What is Implant Failure The total failure of the implant to fulfill its purpose which are functional, esthetic and phonetic because of mechanical or biologic reasons.

Explain the numerical taxonomy, Explain the Numerical Taxonomy? Numeric...

Explain the Numerical Taxonomy? Numerical methods in taxonomy are not new. Simple statistical methods like standard deviations, t-tests and chi-squared have been used for sever

Which foods are used by microorganisms for energy, Q. Which Foods are used ...

Q. Which Foods are used by Microorganisms for Energy? The carbohydrates, especially the sugars, are most commonly used as an energy source, but other carbon compounds can also

Define the effect of breastfeeding on mother, Normal 0 false ...

Normal 0 false false false EN-IN X-NONE X-NONE

Microbiology, Applications of microbiology in different fields

Applications of microbiology in different fields

External events contribute to gain of heat in the body, What (a) internal, ...

What (a) internal, (b) external events contribute to gain of heat in the body?   a) Respiration in the tissues, particularly in the brain and active muscles, is the major in

How is the gastric mucosa protected from the acid ph, How is the gastric mu...

How is the gastric mucosa protected from the acid pH of the stomach? The gastric epithelium is mucus secretory, i.e., it makes mucus. The mucus covers the stomach wall preventi

Explain emulsifying properties of proteins, Emulsifying properties of prote...

Emulsifying properties of proteins  Proteins are the surface-active substances, which are extensively used in the food industry as emulsifiers to manufacture products such as d

Ecology and ecosystem, Ecology and Ecosystem The concepts of environme...

Ecology and Ecosystem The concepts of environment, ecology, ecosystem, energy flow and nutrient cycling in the foundation course on Science and Technology. As you are aware ec

What is the parasite that causes toxoplasmosis, Q. What is the parasite tha...

Q. What is the parasite that causes toxoplasmosis? How is the disease transmitted and what are its typical manifestations? The Toxoplasmosis is caused by the protozoan Toxoplas

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