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| the average weather that occurs in a given region over a long period of time |
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| a layer of the atmosphere closest to the surgace of Earth, extending up to approximately 16km and containing most of hte atmosphere's nitrogen, oxygen, and water vapor |
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| The layer of hte atmosphere above the troposphere extending roughly 16 to 50 km above the surface of Earth |
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| the percentage of incoming sunlight reflected from a surface |
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| The maximum amount of water vapor that can be in the air at a given temperature |
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| the cooloing effect of reduced pressure on air as it rises higher in the atmosphere and expands |
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| the heating efffect of increased pressure on air as it sinks toward the surface of Earth and decreases in volume |
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| the release of energy when water vapor in the atmosphere condenses into liquid |
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| Convection currents in the atmosphere that cycle between the equator and 30 degrees N and S |
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| Intertropical convergence zone |
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| An area of Earth that receives the most intense sunlight; where the ascending branches of the two hadley cells |
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| Convection cells in the atmosphere, formed by air that rises at 60 degrees N and S and sinks at the poles |
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| The deflection of an object's path due to the roation of Earth |
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| large scale patterns of water ciculation that moves clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and counterclockwise in teh Southern Hemisphere |
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| the upward movement of ocean water toward the surface as a result of diverging currents |
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| An oceanic circulation pattern that drives the mixing of surface water and deep water |
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| El-Nino-Southern oscillation |
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| the periodic changes in wind and ocean currents, causing cooler and wetter conditions in teh souteastern United States and unusually dry weather in southern Africa and Southeast Asia |
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| a region with dry conditions found on the leeward side of a mountain range as a result of humid winds from teh ocean causing precipitation on teh windward side |
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| geographic regions categorized by a particular combination of average annual temperature, annual percipitation, and distinctive plant growth forms on land |
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| a cold and treeless biome with low-growing vegetation |
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| an impermeable, permanently frozen layer of soil |
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| a forest made up primarily of coniferous evergreen trees that can tolerate cold winters and short growing seasons |
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| a coastal biome typified by moderate temperatures and high precipitation |
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| Temperate seasonal forest |
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Definition
| a biome with warmer summers and colder winters than temperature rainforests and dominated by deciduous tress |
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Definition
| a biome characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters |
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| Temperate grassland/cold desert |
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Definition
| a biome characterized by cold, harsh winters, and hot, dry summers |
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| a warm and wet biome found between 20 degrees N and S of the equator, with little seasonal temperature variation and high precipitation |
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| Tropical seasonal forests/savannas |
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| a biome marked by warm temperatures and distinct wet and dry seasons |
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| a biome prevailing at approximately 30 degress N and S, with hot temperatures, extremely dry conditions, and sparse vegetation |
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| the shallow zone of soil and water in lakes and poinds where most algae and emergent plants grow |
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| a zone of open water in lakes and ponds where rooted plants can no longer survive |
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| a region of water where sunlight does not reach, below the minetic zone in very deep lakes |
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| the muddy bottom of a lake or pond beneath the limnetic and produndal zones |
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| awuatic biomes that are submerged or saturated by water for at least part of each year, but shallow enough to support emergent vegetation |
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| Marshes containing nonwoody emergent vegetation, found along hte coast in temperate climates |
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| swamps that occur along tropical and subtropical coasts, and contain salt-tolerant trees with roots submerged in water |
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| the narrow band of coastline between the levels of high tide and low tide |
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| the most diverse marine biomes on Earth, found in warm, shallow waters beyond the shoreline |
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| a phenomenon in which algae inside corals die, causing the corals to turn white |
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| the upper layer of water in the ocean that recieves enough sunlight for photosynthesis |
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| the layer of ocean water that lacks sufficient sunlight for photosynthesis |
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| a process used by some bacteria in the ocean to generate energy with methane and hydrogen sulfide |
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