NG EVSC Ch 6 ecosystem and climate

A set of physical conditions of the lower atmosphere that includes temperature, precipitation, humidity, wind speed, cloud cover, and other factors

• weather

• climate

Pattern of atmospheric conditions in an area over periods ranging from at least three decades to thousands of years

• weather

• climate

Greenhouse Gases that warm the lower atmosphere (select all that apply)

• water vapor H20

• methane CH4

• carbon dioxide CO2

• nitrous oxide N2O

Semiarid or arid region on the leeward side of a mountain when prevailing winds flow up and over a high mountain, dropping moisture on the windward side

• Rain shadow effect

• eutrophication

• ocean acidification

• climate

Tendency for a transition zone between two different ecosystems to have greater species diversity and a higher density of organisms than are found in either of the individual ecosystems.

• rain shadow effect

• edge effect

• eutrophication

• ocean acidification

Underground soil where captured water can stay frozen for more than two consecutive years

• edge effect

• rain shadow effect

• permafrost

• eutrophication

Marine and freshwater portions of the biosphere. Examples include freshwater life zones (such as lakes and streams) and ocean or marine life zones (such as estuaries, coastlines, coral reefs, and the open ocean).

• marine life zone

• aquatic life zone

• freshwater life zone

• terrestial life zone

Partially enclosed coastal area where a river meets the sea and sea water mixes with fresh water

• watershed

• runoff

• surface water

• estuary

Rising levels of acidity in ocean waters, occurring because the oceans absorb at least 25% of the carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere by human activities, especially the burin gin of carbon-containing fossil fuels. The carbon dioxide reacts with ocean water to form a weak acid that can endanger entire ecosystems

• surface water

• ocean acidification

• runoff

• estuary

Precipitation that does not sink into the ground or evaporate; fresh water that flows or is stored in bodies of water on Earth's surface

• surface water

• runoff

• ocean acidification

• estuary