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deforestation
destruction and cutting down of forests--often to clear land for mining, roads, and grazing of cattle--resulting in increased atmospheric CO2 levels
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global warming
increase in the average global temperature of Earth
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greenhouse effect
heat-trapping feature of the atmosphere that occurs when certain gasses in Earth's atmosphere, such as methane, CO2, and water vapor, trap heat
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El Nino
climatic event that begins in the Pacific Ocean; may occur when trade winds weaken or reverse, and can disrupt normal temperature and precipitation patterns around the world
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season
short period of climate change in an area caused by the tilt of Earth's axis as earth revolves around the Sun
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hibernation
bahavioral adaption for winter survival in which an animal's activity is greatly reduced, it's body temperature drops, and body processes slow down
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adaption
any structural or behavioral change that helps an organism survive in it's particular environment
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temperature zone
climate zones with moderate temperatures that are located between the tropics and the polar zones
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polar zone
climate zones that receive solar radiation at a low angle, extend from 66 degrees north and 66 degrees south to the poles, and is never warm
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tropics
climate zone that receives the most solar radiation, is located between latitudes 23 degree north and 23 degree south and is always hot, except at high elevations.
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climate
average weather pattern in an area over a long period of time; can be classified by temperature, precipitation, and vegetation.
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