What is the effect of latitude and altitude and why is latitude considered the most important control or influencing factor on atmospheric surface temperatures?
Variations in the latitude and altitude in mountainous regions lead to changes in the temperature, humidity, heat and illumination that then affect the plant species composition and community structure. Temperature normally decreases as elevation or height increases, making locations at higher elevations colder. For every 100-meter increase in elevation, the average temperature decreases by 0.7°C. Even in areas located near the equator, the temperature at higher elevations is cooler. Several controlling factors determine global temperatures. The first and most significant is latitude. Because of the Earth's shape and the sun's angle hitting the planet, temperatures are highest near the equator and decrease toward the poles. Terrestrial radiation heats the atmosphere the most. As a result, places near the earth are warmer than places further away as the distance from the earth's surface increases, the temperature decreases. The two most important factors in the climate of an area are temperature and precipitation. The yearly average temperature of the area is obviously important, but the yearly range in temperature is also important. Some areas have a much larger range between highest and lowest temperature than other areas. Thus latitude, altitude, distance from sea, features of the surface, nature of the landscape are some important factors that affect the distribution of temperature. Latitude is the most important climatic control, due to the effect is has on the amount of solar radiation reaching the Earth's surface. The latitude and altitude affect the pressure and wind system. It causes changes in rainfall pattern and temperature. The regions that are far from the sea experience extreme weather conditions. There is a very high temperature in summers and very low in winters.
The latitude and altitude affect the pressure and wind system. It causes changes in rainfall pattern and temperature. The regions that are far from the sea experience extreme weather conditions. There is a very high temperature in summers and very low in winters. The places situated at higher altitudes which are far from equator receive less sunlight and places which are located towards the equator which is a 00 latitude receives more sunlight and are hotter than the places located at higher latitudes. Thus latitudinal position of a region decides the climate of the place. Latitude is the most important climatic control, due to the effect is has on the amount of solar radiation reaching the Earth's surface. Temperatures drop the further an area is from the equator due to the curvature of the earth. The most important factor is latitude because different latitudes receive different amounts of solar radiation. The maximum annual temperature of the Earth, showing a roughly gradual temperature gradient from the low to the high latitudes. The Equator receives the most solar radiation. Higher the angle of incidence, higher is the temperature. Similarly, lower the angle of incidence, lower is the temperature. This is why the temperature is higher near the tropical regions and decreases towards the poles. Variations in the latitude and altitude in mountainous regions lead to changes in the temperature, humidity, heat and illumination that then affect the plant species composition and community structure. As the earth is round, sunlight does not reach everywhere equally. The temperature decreases as we move from the equator to the poles. Altitude: As we move from the surface of the earth to the higher altitudes, the temperature decreases. There is a relationship between latitude and temperature around the world, as temperatures are typically warmer approaching the Equator and cooler approaching the Poles. There are variations, though, as other factors such as elevation, ocean currents, and precipitation affect climate patterns.
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Phytochemistry
- Extracts