Define the term latitude?
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Define the term latitude?
Latitude is the distance north or south of the earth's equator, measured in degrees.
True or False?
Increases in altitude lead to increases in temperature.
False.
Increases in altitude lead to decreases in temperature.
Define the term continentality.
Continentality is the extent to which a location is affected by being in the interior of a continent, typically resulting in greater temperature extremes.
What is the average annual precipitation in an equatorial climate?
The average annual precipitation in an equatorial climate is over 2 000 mm.
What is the temperature range in an equatorial climate?
The temperature range in an equatorial climate is low, with mean monthly temperatures between 26 and 28 °C.
Define the term trade winds.
Trade winds are the prevailing pattern of easterly surface winds found in the tropics, blowing towards the equatorial region from the northeast in the Northern Hemisphere and from the southeast in the Southern Hemisphere.
What is the average annual precipitation in a hot desert climate?
The average annual precipitation in a hot desert climate is below 250 mm.
True or False?
Hot deserts have high humidity.
False.
Hot deserts have low humidity, often between 10 and 30%.
What causes the formation of hot deserts between 15° and 30° north and south of the equator?
Hot deserts form between 15 and 30° north and south of the equator as a result of atmospheric pressure systems, specifically zones of high pressure where air is descending.
Define the term insolation.
Insolation is incoming solar radiation that reaches the Earth's surface.
Where is the tropical rainforest biome mainly found?
The tropical rainforest biome is mainly found in a band between 15° north and 15° south of the equator within the equatorial climate zone.
What percentage of the Earth's surface is tropical rainforest?
Tropical rainforests cover approximately 6% of the Earth's surface.
Define the term biodiversity.
Biodiversity is the variety of plant and animal life in a particular habitat or ecosystem.
What are the five distinct layers of a tropical rainforest?
The five distinct layers of a tropical rainforest are the:
Ground layer.
Shrub layer.
Under canopy.
Canopy.
Emergents.
What is a drip tip?
A drip tip is a pointed leaf that allows water to run off quickly, reducing the risk of fungal growth and leaf damage in wet environments.
True or False?
Hot deserts have one of the highest biodiversity of plants and animals on Earth.
False.
Hot deserts have one of the lowest biodiversity of plants and animals on Earth.
What are epiphytes?
Epiphytes are plants that grow on other plants or objects for support, obtaining moisture and nutrients from the air and rain.
True or False?
The nutrient cycle in tropical rainforests is slow.
False.
The nutrient cycle in tropical rainforests is rapid.
Describe the soil in a hot desert ecosystem.
Due to a lack of organic matter the soils in a hot desert ecosystem are coarse, sandy and low in nutrients.
True or False?
Plants in hot desert ecosystems often have small leaves to reduce water loss.
True.
Plants in hot desert ecosystems often have small leaves to reduce water loss.
What is deforestation?
Deforestation is the felling and clearance of trees.
Name two countries experiencing the highest levels of deforestation in the world.
Many countries are experiencing high levels of deforestation, including:
Malaysia.
Brazil.
India.
Indonesia.
True or False?
Wildfires are only caused by human activities.
False.
Wildfires can be a natural cause of deforestation and can be caused by lightning. However, their frequency and severity have increased due to human-induced climate change.
What is a monoculture?
A monoculture is the cultivation of a single crop in a given area, often leading to reduced biodiversity.
Define the term leaching.
Leaching is the process by which soluble nutrients are washed out of the soil by rainfall or irrigation.
What percentage of Brazil's GDP comes from activities in deforested areas of the Amazon?
Almost a quarter (25%) of Brazil's GDP comes from activities in the deforested areas of the Amazon.
True or False?
Deforestation always has negative economic impacts.
False.
Deforestation can have positive economic impacts such as more jobs in mining, forestry, agriculture, and increased income for the country through exports.
What is slash and burn agriculture?
Slash and burn agriculture is a farming method where vegetation is cut down and burned to clear land for cultivation.
What percentage of Malaysia's land is covered by tropical rainforest?
Almost 70% of Malaysia's land is covered by tropical rainforest.
Define the term endemic species.
Endemic species are plants and animals that exist only in one geographic location.