Mean Npp Per Unit Area example essay topic

University of Arizona "Wildcats " Nats 101 Writing Assignment # 3 Nats 101 sec 30 TA: Kurt F. KipfmuellerGeomorphic Agents Rank from low to high in order is glacier is low, wind is medium and waves / current is high. In Nome Alaska, the current importance processes is glacial processes. In Los Angeles, the current important process is coastal process. In Fargo, the current importance processes is aeolian processes.

In Nome, glacier has begun created since 18000 years ago. Biomes Biome is a large terrestrial ecosystem characterized by specific plant communities and formations, usually named after the predominant vegetation in the region. Arctic Tundra (AAT) terrestrial biome occupies the Nome, Alaska area. Vegetation characteristic in this area is described as treeless; dwarf shrubs, stunted sedges, mosses, lichens, short grasses; alpine and grass meadows. Los Angeles, California, placed on Mediterranean shrub land (MSh) terrestrial biome. Vegetation characteristic in this area is described as short shrub, drought adapted, tending to grassy woodlands chaparral.

In Fargo, North Dakota, needle leaf forest and montane forest (NF / MF) makes vegetation in that area characterized as is needle leaf conifers, evergreen pine, spruce, fir, Russian larch and a deciduous needle leaf. Global Climate and Species Adaptations Nome, Alaska is located in ET / Dwd of Koppen climatic classification. Most of this area experiences permafrost condition. Temperature of the warmest month is between 0-10 C. Continuous snow covers the land for 8 - 10 months. Total annual PRECIP for Nome is 14.88 mm. Day length varies greatly throughout the year.

Nome experiences long, cold winter and cool summer. Precipitation exceeds small potential evapotranspiration demand. Nome vegetation is low, ground level herbaceous plants, and some woody species. Root can penetrate only about 1 meter. Soils in this area are poorly developed periglacial surfaces that are underlain by permafrost.

Los Angeles is located in Csb of Koppen climatic classification. Los Angeles has mediterranean dry-summer climates. This area is dry in summer and wet in winter. Temperature of the warmest month is below 22 C. In this area, 70% of annual precipitation occurs during the winter months. Total annual precis for Los Angeles is 12.01 mm.

Natural vegetation features a hard leaf, drought resistant. The vegetation varies between woody shrubs and grassy woodlands. The dominant shrub formations that occupy these regions are stunted and tough in their ability to withstand hot-summer drought. Many commercial agriculture food types produced only in this mediterranean climate biome. Fargo is located in Daft of Koppen climatic classification. This area has humid continental climate and hot in summer.

This area is hot in summer and dry in winter. Warmest month temperature is above 22 C. Precipitation exceeds potential evapotranspiration demand. Total annual precis for Fargo is 19.45 mm. In rocky and poorly developed soil, the existences of trees to those with shallow root systems are limit. At high elevation, trees have needle leaf. Boreal forest of pine, spruce and fir occupy most of the subarctic climates area that are dominated by trees.

Some trees in this area are kind of deciduous needle leaf. Net Primary Productivity Nome has 140 g / m 2/y rb of mean net primary productivity per unit area. In Los Angeles, the mean NPP per unit area is 700 g / m 2/y rb. In Fargo, the mean NPP per unit area is 800 g / m 2/y rb. Los Angeles has the high mean of NPP because Los Angeles has low latitude and its lower latitude makes Los Angeles located in near Tropic area. Net Primary Production tends to be highest in the Tropic and decrease toward higher latitude Also, Los Angeles is located in near tropical ocean that makes Los Angeles are quite low in productivity.

Nome has the smallest amount of mean NPP, 140 g / m 2/y rb. Its high latitude causes this small amount of NPP. NPP rate in this city varies seasonally. The NPP rates Fargo are increase in summer and spring and decreases in fall and winter. Rates in the Tropic are high throughout the year, and turnover in the photosynthesis-respiration cycle is faster. However, although Fargo is not located in low latitude, Fargo has the highest value of mean NPP.

That high value of mean NPP is caused by high water availability and good soil conditions. Work CitedCristopherson, Robert W., 2000, Elemental Geo system, Third Edition, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, Morris, Scott; Kipfmueller Kurt, 2000, data paper.