Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 3.1.
Illustration of differential heating of the earth's surface leading to global dif-
ferences in temperature. The arrows depict parallel rays of sunlight striking the earth's
surface. Due to the earth's curvature, the intensity of solar radiation (depicted as the
number of arrows) striking a unit area of surface (grey rectangle) is less in the polar
regions than near the equator. Lower intensity of radiation at the poles translates into less
heating of the surface than near the equator.
share physical attributes even though they are comprised of different kinds
of species. For example, arctic tundra regions are effectively deserts with cold
temperatures; and rainforests are not found solely within warm tropical re-
gions.
Coping with Climate
A species' capacity to cope with its surrounding physical environment is de-
termined by its physiology. Physiological processes operate at different rates
under different conditions. For example, rates of photosynthesis and respira-
tion (burning of food energy) are temperature related. Other processes de-
pend upon water or nutrient availability. A species' performance in or
tolerance of local climatic conditions is defined by certain limits.
Tolerance can change over the short term (individuals' lifetimes) as indi-
viduals become exposed to seasonal changes in environmental conditions.
For example, with the onset of winter warm-blooded species such as white-
tailed deer (
Odocoileus virginianus
) face cold temperatures and poor quality
