The Earth Has Many Different Climates

Transcription

1 Three Major Climate Zones Tropical Temperate Polar The biodiversity of a coral reef The Earth Has Many Different Climates Weather Temperature, precipitation, wind speed, cloud cover Hours to days Climate Area s general pattern of atmospheric conditions over decades and longer Arctic Circle Natural Capital: Generalized Map of the Earth s Current Climate Zones Tropic of Cancer Tropic of Capricorn Antarctic Circle Polar (ice) Subarctic (snow) Cool temperate Highland Warm ocean current River Warm temperate Dry Tropical Major upwelling zones Cold ocean current Global Air Circulation The highest solar energy input is at the equator. Solar energy Equator 0 Polar cap Cold deserts 60 N Evergreen coniferous forest Westerlies Temperate deciduous 30 N forest and grassland Northeast trades Hot desert 30 S Southeast trades 60 S Westerlies Tropical deciduous forest Polar cap Tropical rain forest Tropical deciduous forest Hot desert Temperate deciduous forest and grassland Cold deserts Moist air rises, cools, and releases moisture as rain Air cools and descends at lower latitudes. Warm air rises and moves toward the poles. Air cools and descends at lower latitudes. LOW PRESSURE Cool, dry air Warm, dry air HIGH PRESSURE Heat released radiates to space Falls, is compressed, warms Flows toward low pressure, picks up moisture and heat Moist surface warmed by sun HIGH PRESSURE Condensation and precipitation Rises, expands, cools Hot, wet air LOW PRESSURE 1

2 Connected Deep and Shallow Ocean Currents The Earth Has Many Different Climates El Niño Southern Oscillation Every few years Prevailing winds in tropical Pacific Ocean change direction Affects much of earth s weather for 1 2 years Link between air circulation, ocean currents, and biomes Normal and El Niño Conditions Impact of El Nino Southern Oscillation Greenhouse Gases Warm the Lower Atmosphere Flow of Energy to and from the Earth Greenhouse gases H 2 O CO 2 CH 4 N 2 O Natural greenhouse effect Gases keep earth habitable Human enhanced global warming 2

3 Earth s Surface Features Affect Local Climates Rain Shadow Effect Rain shadow effect Most precipitation falls on the windward side of mountain ranges Deserts leeward ( 背風 ) Prevailing winds pick up moisture from an ocean. On the windward side of a mountain range, air rises, cools, and releases moisture. On the leeward side of the mountain range, air descends, warms, and releases little moisture, causing rain shadow effect. Cities create microclimates The Earth s Major Biomes Generalized Effects of Elevation and Latitude on Climate and Biomes Tropic of Cancer Elevation Mountain ice and snow Tundra (herbs, lichens, mosses) High mountains Polar ice Arctic tundra (cold grassland) Equator Coniferous Forest Deciduous Forest Latitude (south to north) Temperate grassland Tropical grassland (savanna) Chaparral Coniferous forest Temperate deciduous forest Temperate rain forest Tropical rain forest Tropical dry forest Desert Tropic of Capricorn Tropical Forest Tropical Forest Deciduous Forest Coniferous Forest Tundra (herbs, lichens, mosses) Polar ice and snow Natural Capital: Average Precipitation and Average Temperature as Limiting Factors Global Plant Biodiversity 3

4 Climate Graphs of Three Types of Deserts Temperate Desert Ecosystem in North America Wildflowers Bloom after Rain in Arizona Climate Graphs of Tropical, Temperate, and Cold Grasslands Temperate Tall Grass Prairie Ecosystem in North America Monoculture Crop Replacing Biologically Diverse Temperate Grassland 4

5 Climate Graphs of Tropical, Temperate, and Cold Forests Tropical Rain Forest Ecosystem Niche Stratification in a Tropical Rain Forest Temperate Deciduous Forest Ecosystem in North America Evergreen Coniferous Forest Ecosystem in North America Temperate Rain Forest in Washington State 5

6 Mount Rainier National Park in Washington State Natural Capital Degradation Major Human Impacts on Terrestrial Ecosystems Deserts Grasslands Forests Mountains Large desert cities Destruction of soil and underground habitat by off road vehicles Soil salinization from irrigation Depletion of groundwater Land disturbance and pollution from mineral extraction Conversion to cropland Release of CO 2 to atmosphere from burning grassland Overgrazing by livestock Oil production and off road vehicles in arctic tundra Clearing for agriculture, livestock grazing, timber, and urban development Conversion of diverse forests to tree plantations Damage from offroad vehicles Pollution of forest streams Agriculture Timber and mineral extraction Hydroelectric dams and reservoirs Increasing tourism Air pollution blowing in from urban areas and power plants Soil damage from off road vehicles Water supplies threatened by glacial melting Three Big Ideas 1. Differences in climate, based mostly on long term differences in average temperature and precipitation, largely determine the types and locations of the earth s deserts, grasslands, and forests. Three Big Ideas 3. Human activities are degrading and disrupting many of the ecological and economic services provided by the earth s terrestrial ecosystems. 2. The earth s terrestrial systems provide important ecological and economic services. A Healthy Coral Reef in the Red Sea Most of the Earth Is Covered with Water Aquatic life zones Saltwater life zones (marine life zones) Oceans and Coastlands and shorelines Coral reefs Brackish water Estuaries Mangrove forests Freshwater life zones Lakes Rivers and streams Inland wetlands (including swamps and marshes) 6

7 The Ocean Planet Aquatic Systems Ocean hemisphere Land ocean hemisphere Most Aquatic Species Live in Top, Middle, or Bottom Layers of Water Plankton: free floating Phytoplankton Primary producers for most aquatic food webs Zooplankton Primary and secondary consumers Single celled to large invertebrates like jellyfish Ultraplankton Tiny photosynthetic bacteria Most Aquatic Species Live in Top, Middle, or Bottom Layers of Water Nekton Strong swimmers: fish, turtles, whales Benthos Bottom dwellers: oysters, sea stars, clams, lobsters, crabs Decomposers Mostly bacteria Four Types of Aquatic Life Forms Ecological Services Climate moderation CO 2 absorption Nutrient cycling Waste treatment Reduced storm impact (mangroves, barrier islands, coastal wetlands) Habitats and nursery areas Genetic resources and biodiversity Scientific information Natural Capital Marine Ecosystems Economic Services Food Animal and pet feed Pharmaceuticals Harbors and transportation routes Coastal habitats for humans Recreation Employment Oil and natural gas Minerals Building materials 7

8 High tide Low tide Coastal Zone Open Sea Sea level Depth in meters 0 View of an Estuary from Space Estuarine Zone Continental shelf Euphotic Zone Photosynthesis Bathyal Zone 500 1,000 1,500 Twilight Water temperature drops rapidly between the euphotic zone and the abyssal zone in an area called the thermocline. Abyssal Zone 2,000 3,000 4,000 5,000 Darkness 10, Water temperature ( C) Coastal Marsh Ecosystem See Grass Bed Organisms Mangrove Forest in Australia Estuaries and Coastal Wetlands Are Highly Productive Important ecological and economic services Coastal aquatic systems maintain water quality by filtering Toxic pollutants Excess plant nutrients Sediments Absorb other pollutants Provide food, timber, fuelwood, and habitats Reduce storm damage and coast erosion 8

9 Rocky and Sandy Shores Host Different Types of Organisms Intertidal zone Rocky shores Sandy shores: beaches Living between the Tides Rocky Shore Beach Sea star Hermit crab Shore crab High tide Periwinkle Organism adaptations necessary to deal with daily salinity and moisture changes Sea urchin Anemone Sculpin Low tide Mussel Importance of sand dunes Nudibranch Monterey flatworm Kelp Barnacles Sea lettuce Living between the Tides Barrier Beach Peanut worm Blue crab Dwarf olive Clam High tide Beach flea Tiger beetle Coral Reefs Are Amazing Centers of Biodiversity Marine equivalent of tropical rain forests Habitats for one fourth of all marine species Silversides Low tide Sandpiper Mole shrimp Ghost shrimp White sand macoma Sand dollar Moon snail Gray reef shark Parrot fish Hard corals Algae Phytoplankton Symbiotic algae Sponges Zooplankton Bacteria Sea nettle Green sea turtle Blue tang Fairy basslet Brittle star Sergeant major Banded coral shrimp Blackcap basslet Moray eel Coney Human Activities Are Disrupting and Degrading Marine Systems Major threats to marine systems Coastal development Overfishing Use of fishing trawlers Point source pollution ( 點源污染 ) Runoff of nonpoint source pollution ( 非點源污染 ) Habitat destruction Introduction of invasive species Climate change from human activities Pollution of coastal wetlands and estuaries Producer to primary consumer Primary to secondary Secondary to consumer higher level consumer All producers and consumers to decomposers 9

10 Natural Capital Degradation Major Human Impacts on Marine Ecosystems and Coral Reefs Marine Ecosystems Coral Reefs Case Study: The Chesapeake Bay an Estuary in Trouble Largest estuary in the US; polluted since 1960 Human population increased Point and nonpoint sources raised pollution Half of coastal wetlands lost to agriculture and urban development Over one fifth of mangrove forests lost to agriculture, development, and shrimp farms since 1980 Beaches eroding because of coastal development and rising sea levels Ocean bottom habitats degraded by dredging ( 疏浚 ) and trawler fishing At least 20% of coral reefs severely damaged and 25 33% more threatened Ocean warming Rising ocean acidity Soil erosion Algae growth from fertilizer runoff Bleaching Rising sea levels Increased UV exposure Damage from anchors Damage from fishing and diving Phosphate and nitrate levels too high Excess sediments from runoff and decreased vegetation Chesapeake Bay Case Study: The Chesapeake Bay an Estuary in Trouble Oysters, a keystone species, greatly reduced 1983: Chesapeake Bay Program Integrated coastal management with local, state, federal ( 聯邦 ) governments and citizens groups 2008 update: 25 years and $6 billion Program met only 21% of goals Water quality very poor Natural Capital Freshwater Systems Ecological Services Economic Services Painted turtle Blue winged teal Green frog Climate moderation Food Muskrat Nutrient cycling Drinking water Waste treatment Flood control Irrigation water Pond snail Littoral zone Plankton Groundwater recharge Hydroelectricity Habitats for many species Genetic resources and biodiversity Scientific information Transportation corridors Recreation Employment Diving beetle Yellow perch Northern pike Bloodworms 10

11 Some Lakes Have More Nutrients Than Others Oligotrophic lakes Low levels of nutrients and low NPP Very clear water Eutrophic lakes High levels of nutrients and high NPP Murky ( 混濁 ) water with high turbidity Mesotrophic lakes Eutrophication of lakes from human input of nutrients The Effect of Nutrient Enrichment on a Lake eutrophication Three Zones in the Downhill Flow of Water New Orleans, Louisiana Flooded by Hurricane Katrina Lake Rain and snow Glacier Headwaters August 29, 2005 Rapids Waterfall Tributary Flood plain Oxbow lake Salt marsh Delta Deposited sediment Source Zone Ocean Transition Zone Floodplain Zone Water Sediment Projection of New Orleans if the Sea Level Rises 1 Meter Freshwater Inland Wetlands Are Vital ( 有生命力的 ) Sponges Marshes Swamps Prairie potholes ( 壺洞 ) Floodplains Arctic tundra in summer 11

12 Freshwater Inland Wetlands Are Vital ( 有生命力的 ) Sponges Provide free ecological and economic services Filter and degrade toxic wastes Reduce flooding and erosion Help to replenish streams and recharge groundwater aquifers Biodiversity Food and timber Recreation areas Three Big Ideas 1. Saltwater and freshwater aquatic life zones cover almost three fourths of the earth s surface, and oceans dominate the planet. 2. The earth s aquatic systems provide important ecological and economic services. 3. Human activities threaten biodiversity and disrupt ecological and economic services provided by aquatic systems. 12