2.4 Climate and biomes

• Climate: atmospheric conditions over long periods (~30 years)

• Weather: short-term conditions

• Group of comparable ecosystems in similar climatic conditions

• Influenced by precipitation, temperature, insolation

• Abiotic factors

• Temperature and rainfall patterns determine ecosystem type

• Freshwater, marine, forest, grassland, desert, tundra

• Each has characteristic limiting factors, productivity, diversity

• Explains atmospheric circulation

• Distribution of precipitation and temperature by latitude

• Three cells: Hadley, Ferrel, polar

• Oceans absorb solar radiation

• Ocean currents distribute heat globally

• Changing climates and biome shifts

• General trend: poleward and higher altitude movement