Chapter 4 - Ecosystems & Communities

All of the following factors contribute to Earth’s climate EXCEPT

• latitude.
• transport of heat.
• longitude.
• shape and elevation of landmasses.

Temperatures on Earth remain within a suitable range for life as we know it because of the

• unequal heating of Earth’s surface.
• loss of heat to space.
• radiation of sunlight back into the atmosphere.
• greenhouse effect.

The loss of heat to space is slowed by

• radiation entering the atmosphere.
• solar energy.
• atmospheric gases.
• the biosphere.

The greenhouse effect is

• the result of an excess of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
• a natural phenomenon that maintains Earth’s temperature range.
• the result of the differences in the angle of the sun’s rays.
• an unnatural phenomenon that causes heat energy to be radiated back into the atmosphere.

Earth has three main climate zones because of the differences in latitude and, thus,

• amount of precipitation received.
• ocean currents.
• angle of heating.
• prevailing winds.

Cool air over the poles will

• rise.
• absorb heat from the equator.
• sink.
• flow parallel to Earth’s surface.

The tendency for warm air to rise and cool air to sink results in

• global wind patterns.
• unequal heat distribution.
• ocean upwelling.
• regional precipitation.

A mountain can affect climate by

• absorbing more solar energy at the peak than at the base of the mountain.
• causing precipitation to fall mostly on one side of the mountain.
• pushing a cool air mass back out over the ocean.
• interfering with air currents and affecting Earth’s rotation.

Why does Earth have three main climate zones?

• Warm air rises at the equator and cold air sinks over the poles causing an unequal distribution of heat over Earth.
• There are differences in latitude and, thus, the angle of heating from the sun.
• Continents and other landmasses physically interfere with global heat distribution.
• The Earth rotates and affects the major ocean currents.

Each of the following is an abiotic factor in the environment EXCEPT

• plant life.
• rainfall.
• soil type.
• temperature.