GY 105 Chapter 2 Vocab

rate of cooling with increasing altitude within the lower atmosphere

an adjective for human caused change to a natural system, such as the atmospheric emissions from cars, industry, and agriculture that are causing global warming

an assemblage of local plants and animals

a coniferous forest found in a high-latitude or mountainous environment in the Northern Hemisphere

developed countries should take the lead in reducing their GHG emissions before asking developing countries to take steps that could hinder their economic development

graphic representations of monthly average high and low temperatures, along with monthly precipitation (rain and snow) amounts for a specific location

a tectonic boundary where two different tectonic plates are moving against each other

inland climates with hot summer and cold, snowy winters

trees that shed their leaves during the harsh dry season in order to slow or completely halt growth

creating of truly arid desert lands in what were formerly grasslands

when tectonic plates move away from each other in opposite directions

an increase in Earth’s average atmosphere temperature

the national process of lower atmospheric heating that results from the trapping of incoming and reradiated solar energy by water moisture, clouds, and other atmospheric gases

incoming short-wave solar energy

climates that are close to the ocean with moderate temperatures in both summer and winter

the influence of mountains on weather and climate, usually referring to the increase of precipitation on the windward side of mountains, and a drier zone on the leeward or downwind side of the mountain

geophysical theory that Earth is comprised of large geologic platforms, or plates, that move slowly across its surface.

an extensive area of grassland in North America. In the more humid eastern portions, grasses are usually longer than in the drier western areas, which are in the rain shadow of the Rocky Mountain range

a drier area of precipitation, usually on the leeward or downwind side of a mountain range, that receives less rain and snowfall than the windward or upwind side. A rain shadow is caused by the warming of air as it descends down a mountain range; this warming increases the ability of an air mass to hold moisture

semiarid grasslands found in many parts of the world. Grasses are usually shorter and less dense in steppes than in prairies

when in a collision zones, one tectonic plate sinks below another

the vast coniferous forest of Russia that stretches from the Urals to the Pacific Ocean. The main forest species are fir, spruce, and larch.

arctic region with a short growing season in which vegetation is limited to low shrubs, grasses, and flowering herbs

a condition where water availability is less than water demand, either currently or projected for the future