Science Vocabulary

destruction and cutting down of forests--often to clear land for mining, roads, and grazing of cattle--resulting in increased atmospheric CO2 levels

increase in the average global temperature of Earth

heat-trapping feature of the atmosphere that occurs when certain gasses in Earth's atmosphere, such as methane, CO2, and water vapor, trap heat

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

short period of climate change in an area caused by the tilt of Earth's axis as earth revolves around the Sun

bahavioral adaption for winter survival in which an animal's activity is greatly reduced, it's body temperature drops, and body processes slow down

any structural or behavioral change that helps an organism survive in it's particular environment

climate zones with moderate temperatures that are located between the tropics and the polar zones

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

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.

average weather pattern in an area over a long period of time; can be classified by temperature, precipitation, and vegetation.